Happy Wednesday!

Today was a long day! Long in a good day! Found out my roommates last night were brother and sister so that was good. Sometimes couples can be a bit awkward. Got to sleep alright but didn’t sleep very well overall. There were some interesting noises from the animals in the adjacent forest. They probably didn’t help any! It continued to rain overnight.

I got up about 8:05, got dressed and headed for breakfast. I thought it was going to be cloudy and yucky when I first looked out but the sky at that point looked beautiful. I had two pieces of cheese and 2 pieces of toast with jam for breakfast. It was quiet during breakfast as a lot of people don’t get up that early. I listened in to a conversation between another middle class American student and an older kiwi gentleman.

I was surprised out how similar we are as Americans. He gave out very similar stock answers and responded as I predicted he would. Just kinda made me think again about how I talk to other people. Also spell check in word won’t accept kinda as a legit word.

After breakfast I headed for the bus stop. I bought a daytripper for 6.60 with a destination of Picnic Bay. By this point the skies weren’t looking too good but far be it for a little rain to stop me. After all I have lived in Wellington for awhile!

The bus ride took a fairly long time, but then again I was going from one end of the Island to the other. There were lots of stops but I got to see where the locals lived and where the other hostels were. I got off the bus at Picnic Bay, the spot on the island closest to the mainland. I walked out on the wharf and watched the families fishing. The sky still looked threatening.

I started off for West Point which is a little over 8k from Picnic Bay one way. On my way out to the trail I stopped by the golf club restaurant and got a garbage bag to use as a makeshift poncho if it rained really hard. The inside said I might like the rain to cool me off from the walk.

Apparently this was more of a road than a trail. No matter, the first 3k were sealed with a coral base. The next 5k were dirt road. About 10 minutes in it started raining. I cut out my garbage bag poncho but sense it was only raining a little bit I just stored it. The rain actually was refreshing.

The walk was really nice. It was along the undeveloped west end of the island. There were lots of mangrove forests, salt tolerant grassland, and a variety of trees. There were a few homes along the way as well and most of the property out that way is privately held. I also passed the water treatment and storage facilities. Along the way I saw and listened to lots of birds, including a white cockatoo. It was a long walk however and by the time I got to the nice beach at the end I was ready to be there.

As soon as I got off the road, there was a couple on the beach. I was like seriously I walked all this way and there are people here. Luckily they were nice and just kept walking. I waited a bit behind examining the intertidal zone and admiring the view. I made my way down to the end and found a family fishing. I continued down to the rocks near the end and sat down to read and eat my lunch.

After lunch I started the long walk back. It was good though, it gave me a lot of time to think. I also saw something that resembled a porcupine or an armadillo. I was able to get really close and take pictures! It was neat! I also saw another small kangaroo which I now know are rock wallabies. After walking for a long time (it was 8k back) I filled up my water bottle and hopped on the just arrived bus to the Forts.

The bus ride was uneventful. I listened to some teenagers talking. One had a really obnoxious voice. As well the bus smelled heavily of sweet sweat, the Aussies apparently don’t mind BO. I got off after about a 25 minutes bus ride and headed onto the next trail. The forts is a serious of WWII buildings that were part of a defense network setup on the island. The walk was good, but some of the signs didn’t display information and were in need of replacing. I clambered up to some rocks off the trail for a good look out. I also discovered that one of my pens had leaked and gotten on my wallet and both of my apples. Thus my snack was out of luck.

I continued up towards the outlooks which was quite fun. The original stairs were mainly made of slightly altered stones and were fun to climb. The views were good as well. I reached the top and took a look from the old communications tower which is now in use for modern communication. The views were amazing! I got some pictures and a video. I then climbed down towards the gun emplacements, which were very much intact and looped back to the start.

Also along the way I saw  two Koala bears in the trees! It is way more fun to see animals in the wild! So I got my wild koalas checked off my list. The sleep for up to 20 hours a day because their diet is so poor.

After getting back to the trailhead I decided to take the long loop back to horseshoe bay along the other 4 bays. The beginning of the trail was paved and the beaches I passed over were very nice. I’m going to spend tomorrow beach/bay hopping. It was getting late and by the time I had gotten to the last 2k back to Horseshoe bay (where the Hostel is) it was very dark. I found it a little hard to see distances in between the rocks as I had to ascend and descend a ridge to get back.

When I normally need to make noise or just feel like it I see the Tech fight songs, Up with the White and Gold and Ramblin’ Wreck. I sun those as I walked back to make noise.

I got back fine but had to cross a tidal creek to get back. Being close to high tide it came all the way within 5 inches of my waste. So the bottom part of my shorts and underwear got wet. Ohh well. I walked back barefoot and got back fine.

It was a long day of close to 30k of walking. I was proud of my body for keeping up! In the middle of writing this blog I had dinner, canned Ravioli with Toast and Cheese. After today and for the effort required it was delicious!

Magnetic Island is kinda what I thought Stewart Island would be like in New Zealand. I have really enjoyed getting to see the wild animals and birds in their natural habitat. Maybe SI is like that in the summer?

As well I love the tropical heat. This place is very close to my definition of paradise. They get well over 300 sunny days in the year and plenty of sand and water for everyone. As well the granite, mountainous backdrop with trees is gorgeous. Kinda like a better version of Florida! Although that is really comparing apples and oranges. I am really glad I chose to stay here.

Tomorrow as I alluded to I intend to spend on the beaches. I think I may rent some snorkeling gear and check out some of the bays as well. Hopefully the weather will cooperate!

As for now I am deciding between going to the beach or shower and bed. Both sound good but I think my tired body is going to win out on this one!

With Love,

-Mathias