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March 31, 2005
Surfing Kangaroos
(Day 43) I was dropped off at the beginning of a trail.
"The directions are on the map. It should be pretty easy to follow. When you get to Pebbly, there will be a car park. That's where we'll pick you up. Probably around 4? Is that okay?"
"Sure."
She handed me a small bag of bird feed.
"In case you get hungry on the way," she joked.
I started hiking along the path, following the directions provided. At first, I jumped whenever something rustled in the bushes. I had been warned to watch out for snakes along the way. Supposedly everything in Australia is poisonous, and I certainly was in no mood to be bitten. Especially when I was the only one on the track.
After a while though, I changed my tune and hoped to encounter a snake. It would've added some excitement to an otherwise dull trail. There wasn't that much to see. Some trees. A lake. Nothing exciting. I probably should've just asked them to drop me off at Pebbly Beach.
I walked quickly, and in about three hours ended up at the clear blue waters of Depot Beach. There were only a couple people out enjoying the pristine sand of Murramarang National Park. On any other day, I might've just stopped here. But I knew there were better things up ahead. I headed north, negotiating a rocky coastline, finally reaching Pebbly Beach.
A pack of wild but tame (is that an oxymoron?) kangaroos inhabited the area surrounding the beach. Sometimes wandering right up to the water, someone had once photographed one actually wading in the sea, looking as if the kangaroo was trying to surf. The story spread, the legend grew, and the nickname "Surfing Kangaroos" stuck.
This wasn't my first time seeing a real live kangaroo, but it was my first time seeing one out in the wild. Surprisingly tame, they let people walking right up to them. They posed for pictures, as if they knew the whole routine.
Kangaroos, like sheep, are ruminants, meaning they should only eat natural grasses. Human food does them no good, often causing illness. Of course, no one told them this. One of them bounded right up to me and starting hassling me for my lunch. I pretty much had to fight it off.
Silly kangaroo, Trix are for kids.
A variety of colorful birds hung out at the carpark, and these, on the other hand, could be fed. I took out my bag of birdfeed, and in no time, a couple dozen birds descended upon me. There were at least four or five different species. A few of them were particularly aggressive, chasing off any other bird that tried to feed out of my hand. They landed on my arms, my shoulders, my head, and any other place they could grab onto. I became the center of attention for picture taking tourists. I have no idea how many photo albums I found my way into.
Of course, I shared my fun with whoever else wanted in.
"Do you want some some bird feed too?" I asked a couple German girls.
Soon, birds were eating out of their hands and landing on their heads as well.
I had such a good time that I had forgotten to eat my own lunch. Back in town, I picked up another Dominos pizza.
"Mark, right? So did you make it out to Pebbly?" the guy asked.
"Yep! And it was amazing!"
Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!
Posted by markyiin at March 31, 2005 06:25 AM
Comments
currently in melbourne. just had one of the worst days of my trip so far. a recap coming in maybe a couple days. flying out to tasmania shortly.
lisa: thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
david: haha, that's an interesting idea. except, the town is pretty small, i think they do their deliveries by bike.
tree: well, it's not a matter of whether i'm scared to do those activities. it's more like, can i afford them? :P remember, i got another 300 days i need to go!
Posted by: markyiin at March 31, 2005 06:45 AM
c'mon!! it's ok to splurge on at least ONE activity! :)
looks like you had an awesome time at pebbly! i'm envious (as always). the birds look really pretty, and the kangaroos... well, how many people can actually say that they got to see tame but wild" kangaroos?
Posted by: tree at March 31, 2005 07:18 AM
I was starting to go through withdrawls but the 3 updates make up for it! :D
Perhaps from now on when you ask people how to get somewhere you should say "without having a car". :P
Posted by: Aves at March 31, 2005 08:58 AM
Wow those kangaroos are awesome! I can't believe they and the birds just were that tame. It sounds like it was worth the trouble to get to Pebbly Beach =)
Posted by: OREOSpeedwagon at March 31, 2005 06:03 PM
Dude, I want a kangaroo.
Posted by: PhasmatisNox at April 1, 2005 02:40 AM
You better watch out. I heard kangeroos have a nasty right hook. :-P
Posted by: David at April 1, 2005 02:24 PM
that German girl is cute!
Posted by: hamsuplo at April 1, 2005 03:53 PM
Hi Mark,
I have visited your website and I admire that you can do that. Being a girl, and traveling alone is the hardest thing to do. That's why I can't do it and that I have a lot of debt. On my behalf, can you find out how someone from US can live and work in a different country and travel around? What paperworks would I need. What preparation would I need. And if you're doing this again in the future, please invite me. I'm serious.
Posted by: Helen Tran at April 2, 2005 12:26 AM
just an brief update on my whereabouts.. i'm in tasmania, where internet access is expensive, slow, and lack floppy disk drives. i'm hoping to maybe find a decent internet cafe, but so far, from the looks of the towns i've been to, it doesnt look good.
i'm still taking tons of pictures and writing the entries every night though, so worst case, when i get back to melbourne next thursday, i'll be able to post a bunch of entries.
Helen Tran: just a quick answer to your question, it is very difficult for americans to get working visas in new zealand and australia. actually, i think it's impossible. with the strict US working laws, aus and nz have returned the favor and prevented us from working here. other countries, i can keep you updated as i get there.
also, travelling alone, even as a woman, is very safe and easy in new zealand and australia. i've actually met dozens of women travelling alone, ranging from 20 to 40 years old. i can imagine it being inconvenient, but if you stick to the beaten tracks, it's so easy. anyone can do it!
Posted by: markyiin at April 2, 2005 04:17 AM
yeah, the german girl is cute, i'd keep her away from your kangaroo friend though... also, get a job, there are desks that need sitting at!
Posted by: that guy over there at April 3, 2005 01:22 AM
The kangaroo trying to steal your "lunch" easily wins the "unintentionally obscene picture award".
Posted by: Jon at April 4, 2005 09:33 AM
That fighting off picture cracked me up. It seemed more like something else. lol -=ox Oh man, I better get to bed. It's almost 8 a.m. That's an hour or 2 past my usual bedtime. lol DAMN LAUNDRY!!! If I were rich, I'd just throw clothes away after each use. YESSSSSSSSSSSSS. I just have about 10 more entries to go. Maybe I'll get caught up by tonight. -GEM
Posted by: GEM at April 11, 2005 10:57 AM