Greetings,

So last night I left the internet café. Everything went well there. I got back to the Hostel after stopping for an ice cream cone. I had spearmint with chocolate chips. It was good. After I got back I took a shower, talked to the other roommates, watched a little TV, and as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out. Even with the lights and tv on. I was seriously tired after not getting good REM sleep on the train.

I got up this morning at around 8 AM. I had packed most of my stuff last night so this morning was easy. I had breakfast consisting of two pieces of buttered toast, an apple, and a slice of cheese. It was good!

I then collected my bags and checked out. The walk to the ferry terminal wasn’t that far, only about ten minutes but I had lots of stuff. The ferry company didn’t accept my NZ Student ID as valid so I had to pay full adult price. I’m going to write them an e-mail. I got on the boat and got to talking with two older ladies from Wellington and another German exchange student. The conversation was good enough, jokes about Wellington weather and what not. The boat ride was quick enough and it was slightly overcast.

The other exchange girl was travelling alone as well and so we decided to hang out for a few hours until she had a horseback tour. Her name was Julie. I got my bags and we boarded the bus to go to horseshoe bay on the other side of the island (about 7k). It was cheap too only $2.60. I honestly expected to be taken to the cleaners but it was reasonable considering they are the only bus company on the island.

I checked in at the hostel, put my excessive J baggage in my room and then we headed off for the beach. The beach is a quick 5 minutes away from the hostel. Just simple amazing. I had apparently left my sunscreen back in Townsville and so I had to buy some. At a costly price of $11. That’s where they get ya! We headed off down the beach and sat down for sunbathing and had a good chat.

After laying out for awhile we were gonna head back to town to get something to eat, but I had to wash the sand off of me. I got in the water and it was cold. So I decided just to wash off rather than go fully in. We had a nice lunch at the outside seating area of a bar. I had a decent grilled chicken sandwich with chips. I have never had beets on a chicken sandwich before. More good conversation over lunch. I really am glad I included that section in my mission statement about learning about others.

After lunch it was about time for her to leave for the horseback riding thing so we said goodbye after she picked up her phone which had been charging in my room.

After that I headed down to the beach for some additional reading and sunbathing. Actually before getting to the beach I took a quick detour through the I then headed for the Horseshoe bay beach.

I have to say this was a good call by me. The island feels like a secluded tropical paradise. Coral washes up on the beaches and there are birds chirping and calling everywhere. Even the tropical queensland parrots. There is only a few house along the waterfront (probably no more than 14) and 4 or so restaurants and 2 small general stores. Just simply breathtakingly beautiful and remote.

I sat out and sunbathed for a good 3 hours. I got in the water once to cool off. I decided not to dry off and was naturally dried by the sun. What a feeling! Just so relaxing. I watched the people come and go in between napping and reading. I really could not ask for a better day. There also seem to be no mosquitoes or sand flies here.

After sunbathing I went for a walk down the rocky side of the beach (the east end I believe) and was hoping to catch some great pics of the sunset. Unfortunately some clouds came in and ruined my shots. Not to worry I had fun climbing over the rocks. I have found that always brings me some childhood excitement. It is like solving a puzzle; jumping and climbing from rock to rock. I think that is my first legitimate use of a colon in like forever.

I continued back along the beach searching the shells and coral. I found a sand dollar with a unique imprint but I accidently crushed it in my bag. On the way back while crossing through some shallow intertidal zones I saw a sting ray. Right there not 2 feet away from me! How amazing it was to see one in it’s natural habitat! Also on the way back I saw a fairly homely looking guy with a good looking and scantaly clad latina woman on the beach. The view wasn’t bad but I couldn’t figure out what they were doing. He was just kinda taking pictures of scenery and she was sorta standing there. Ohh well.

I continued down the beach and watched the people fishing. I saw some people playing in the last light and some people taking their dingy’s out to their boats. I continued walking way down to the other end of the beach and I made it 3/4ths of the way to the end (this was a long walk) and then took a seat and did some more soul searching.

The beach really is my happy place and a great place of spiritual renewal. I have not found a better place to help center and listen to myself than alone on the beach. Listening to the surf and wildlife. Just taking it all in. My listening went well and I am confident that because my next 7 days are near the beach I will be doing that most nights, weather permitting.

I got back to the Hostel around 7. I paid a deposit for dishes and began to cook. I’m not gonna lie dinner is one of the hardest times of the day to be alone. Mainly because that is when a lot of other groups are together cooking and eating. I am a confident and friendly person but even I bode a little to feeling a little lonely. I made a yummy mac and cheese with toast and enjoyed it.

I just got to writing this a few minutes ago after using the bathroom. It just started raining so I brought mine and my roommates towels and clothes in. Not terrible hard but uncomfortable to be outside in.

Btw I haven’t explained the hostel. There are something like 30 individual a-frame bungalows! It’s like being at a nice summer camp. There is also a green space in the middle reserved for camping. I am in a three bed sharing with a couple. The ends and walls are open air and have screens on them to keep out bugs, opossums, and ants. BTW there are opossums just kinda hanging out around the area. It’s quite neat.

I think I had mentioned this before but I occasionally have premonitions. The last one I had occurred on the train trip to Christchurch. This one I did not recognize until today just a few minute ago when I was closing the door to the bungalow. I remember when I originally saw it (at the beginning of June) and I wondered where it is. I don’t know where they come from or signify but that feeling of déjà vu is powerful. I wonder what my next one will be.

On another note, I got my final Vic grades back. Two a plusses, one a minus and a B. That marks the first B I have gotten sense seventh grade. But luckily the grade doesn’t go towards my Tech GPA so I still have my perfect 4.0. I’m not really disappointed in myself for that B as I think I was misgraded on an assignment that was never returned. That might sound nitpicky and if you know me than you know I am fierce about my grades, but honestly I feel I deserved higher. Ohh well I am putting it out of my mind because it doesn’t really count and thus I shouldn’t spend time worrying about it. An older version of me might have taken it worse, and the current me Is still a little upset about it but I’ll get over it. I’ll be back to my A game this fall.

These blogs get longer and longer. I think it is because I finally understand the high value that they give me. Anyway I have 7 more days here in Australia and I plan on enjoying the hell out of each and every moment.

Probably thought about you today on the beach,

-Mathias