Trip "From and To" Lockdown

It has been a big Hiatus since I last wrote...hope all is well at your end..!

After Covid things have been so surreal. What we have seen in a movie like Contagion started coming true...we were locked in our homes to only ocassionally go out for groceries in packed supermarkets with empty shelves, wearing masks, washing hands 20 times a day and what not...now between all this we could hardly go out and most of our trips got cancelled....

Atlast in December'2020, Australia relaxed its Covid regulations and we were able to make couple of quick trips....1500+ kms on either side of Sydney - but wait till you reach the end!!

First trip : December'20: 5 days: Sydney - Lake Conjola - Kangaroo valley - Sydney  (Total 700+ Kms)

After a 4.5 hrs drive, with a lunch break at Woolongong, we reached Conjola late in the afternoon.

While driving through to Lake Conjola we observed what best can be described as Natures resilience and fight for life !

During the bushfire season of 2019 which had burnt down thousands of hectares in New South wales - the trees were coming back to life and it was slowly turning from burnt black to lush green!

Lake Conjola at its mouth with the sea is shallow and is always inviting for a quick swim and the lake h is walking distance from the mouth of the sea.

Lake Conjola also has provisions for activities like Kayaking (available from Conjola post office!) and immense spots to relax and absorb Sun...

We stayed at a place called Milton which was a sleepy town 30 minutes drive from lake Conjola and o o also gave access to many beaches like Mollymook and Narrawallee.  

This was the first time I saw my daughter enjoying the waves and trying to ride them on her body board....kids have their own way of enjoying every precious moment in life....

On our way back we stopped over at Kangaroo valley golf resort which has many cottages - old but spacious and affordable. Staying in a golf course visited by kangaroos & Koalas is an experience in itself...and I will highly recommend.

While coming to the Kangaroo valley golf resort we took a detour to have coffee at the Cambewarra look out point...and it was one of the best detours we have ever taken...a must do!

View from Cambewarra lookout point Cafe

Back in Kangaroo valley we stayed for 2 days and visited the iconic Hampden bridge...

Many things that can be done around Hampden bridge like Kayaking on rapids, taking a quick dip under the bridge or visit the Pioneer village museum and take a bush walk around the hanging bridge!

 

But the most unique experience was the song of cicada's coming out of their hibernation after 17 years and we could see their exuviae (moulds) hanging all around the trees...

Over the trip was very relaxing and welcome break from the covid lockdown!

 

Second Trip: April'21: 2nights - 3 days: Sydney - Old Bar - Sydney  (Total 600+ Kms)

This trip probably was one of the longest trip - not by kms but by the time taken!

We got stuck in the long weekend vacation traffic and what was supposed to be a 3-3.5 hrs drive turned out to be a 7-8 hrs drive!!(Simple Lesson learnt in a hardway)

But the next 3 days spent in Kiwarrak country retreat, in middle of the Khappinghat forest, was an amazingly calm and relaxing experience.

Approach road to Kiwarrak country retreat

Kiwarrak country retreat is serene and calm place with lots of nature trails and greenary all around...

We went and enjoyed the Old bar beach every day till we were dead tired!

During one of the afternoons we decided to visit a water park (Big Buzz fund park) near by and had some good fun - it felt like both me and wifey had become 8 year old best friends with my daughter ! 

During the evenings we went to Apex Point, with some hot coffee during Sunset  ( picked from a petrol station near by) and saw mesmirising views of Sunset over the Manning River. (Remember to time your Sunset)

On our way back we halted and spend some couple of hours at Forrester's beach...which is now in our list of next visit!

Third Trip: June'21 : Sydney - Windang - Sydney (Total: 250 Kms approx)

The school holidays had just begun and it was an amazing sunny day for the beach! 

Having done this route multiple times, I was comfortable driving and I was looking forward to an amazing day at the beach.

In an hour we pulled over at the Helensburgh Sai Temple to pray and had some hot lunch before completing the remaining 40 minutes of our journey.

We reached the Windang camping Park and walked to the reception to get the keys to our cabin - everyone in the reception were glued to the TV screen on the wall....Our State premiere had just announced a 14 days lockdown !

All of us were heartbroken, we couldnot check in and had to return back by 6:00 PM - with a sad heart we gave a short visit to the beach and returned back home. 

But my daughter and me didn't give up ....we set up out camp in our backyard and spent the whole day just like we would do in a campsite - Lit a Camp fire, ate some marshmallows, told spooky stories and sang few songs!!

The covid situation is back but I strongly believe that we will have our happy and free days again...till then take care & stay safe !!

Few firsts and an amazing beauty...

I always believe that life is all about experiences... and it becomes even better when you are on to something new with your family...and I am fortunate to share with you the experience that I had during 2019 Easter...

Our Plan started with Melbourne - meeting good old friends and roaming around the city...

...visiting the Legoland ...a father's promise to daughter had to be kept...

followed by a trip to 12 apostles via the great Ocean road (notice the quirky signage!) - 

 Alas we where struck in a 3 hours traffic jam , a flat tyre and  speeding ticket ...which did not end well ....but the best thing was....spending quality time with friends and family....

Keeping Melbourne behind... we moved to our First 'First' time experience😳 - Crossing the Ocean on a Ship (though people call it Ferry!)...all three of us where awestruck at the size of it... ( I am sure there might be even bigger ships than this... but a first is always a amazing however small it may be...

The first time experience was amazing....looking at the ship depart, getting accustomed to the huge lounge and it even had a children's play area...as the ship left the bay area and headed out into the sea (Bass strait) you could feel the sea!

We reached Davenport early morning and after hiring a car we moved down to Launceston...the first thing that did strike us was the straight roads ...

and the scenic beauty around us...lush green fields, with horses, lambs and cows roaming around...it was just like I had read in the books....

after reaching the small city of Launceston, we headed for the River cruise through Cataract gorge and the Tamar river...the cruise was scenic ride across the slow flowing Tamar River showcasing the city's old port... 

and the best part was the silence when we entered the gorge!...(see the water level line - the block line on the rocks)

The hours spend by quickly and we had to get ready for our second 'first' of the trip😲....or next ride had arrived...

The Camper van!...we had to spend the next 5 days in this...we had our apprehensions earlier , but now it was standing in front of us...we had another family join us here...and without them this part of the journey would not have been possible!!

After fixing all our luggage we headed out for Cradle mountain...which we could not reach on time and hence had to settled down in one of the lesser known camping parks... the nights got colder and we had to lit a camp fire...and after a long time - in the midst of the jungle...along with the nocturnal possums... I could witness the milky way....millions of glittering stars...!!

With a quick breakfast in the morning sun....

we started off for the cradle mountain forest reserve.... and it was worth everything...one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen!

We walked through the moss filled jungles ...through the waterfalls and bridges...through wombat fields...and everything felt...so pure and serene....

 

We where in cradle mountain for two days...the weather was changing every hour...from clear skies & sunshine to sudden fog and rain...temperatures was hovering around 4 to 5 degrees (C)- but we did not give up... 

That's me with my daughter on a 5 kms trek across the wilderness...in rain!

On the third day, we started moving towards the east coast of Tasmania...too another beautiful place and a very different landscape...Freycinet National park... it was dotted with amazing landscapes , sunsets

and its wineglass bay... this picture was possible after a 2 hrs arduous trek ...

After spending couple of days in Freycinet....we headed towards the Capital city ...Hobart!

But, we had no plans in Hobart except for spending some time relaxing and strolling around the Seven mile beach....

But...Hobart has lot more to see than just beaches....but next time...we where physically tired from the camper van life but mentally I wanted more of it....but next time...!

Glide, Camp, Meditate...

Nature has always amazed me....Oceans act as your endless swimming pools...star studded skies act as your roof in the night...wind  helps you glide & fly over the mountains and greenery... and as you swish past the jungles the green cover pulls you in to discover more....and once you are lost in this - Life goes into meditation mode - a celebration!!

This holiday season ... it was all this and much more....!

The Route - House to Bald Hill to Kiama and Nan Tien Temple

This journey was 300 Kms spread across 5 days  ...the first stop was Stanwell tops followed by an Overnight Camping at Coledale Beach then moving forward to Kiama blowhole with an overnight stay at Albion park and then visiting the Peaceful Nan Tien Temple on the way back....and all through the way, you get amazing experience driving through jungles & mountains .....

As we started leaving the hustle and bustle of Sydney life...a calmness descended...through lush greenery of Royal national park....and in an hours time we had our view of the big blue ocean...which makes you feel how minuscule one is in the whole scheme of things....a humbling feeling !

Our first stop was the Stanwell tops ( Bald hill look out) - Few of the selected places in Australia famous for Hang gliding....well the wind was not great that day and we opted for Para gliding (I could not do much - but my better half did take her chances)...

Our next stop - Coledale Beach - idea was to camp on the beach and enjoy the sea....sleeping under the clear sky filled with stars came as a bonus....

Coledale Beach has well managed camping reserve. The campsites are huge to accommodate an 8 person tent plus your vehicle.

You can while away your time on the beach, sleep under clear skies which gave a great view of the stars and get blown away by the early morning Sunrise ...

As the day started, we had a quick breakfast and drove towards Kiama. The idea was to spend some time at the Kiama blow hole and go ahead with our hotel check in....

 

The famous Light house at the Kiama blow hole stands as a sentinel of time .... the witness to genesis of Australian human story....

We were in for a bonus and able to squeeze out some time to visit the Cathedral rocks look out and Shell harbour beach....

Cathedral Rocks Look out....

The following day ...we had only one stop on the way i.e. the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple ... This was my second visit to this place and every time I visit - it always has an amazing peaceful aura around it which makes me feel contended and at ease with life....

The autumn Sun had called it a day...it was slowly getting dark...Our Holiday had come to an end but it had rejuvenated all of us...with a promise of revisiting more such places....