The Great Ocean Road and So Forth

October 19th, 2006 Great Ocean Road Cottages, Lorne, Australia
Somehow I missed the memo that our clocks were to be changed back. When we left Brisbane to the Outback, the time changed by thirty minutes. Unusual, but true. So, I figured that even though we flew into Sydney, flying to Melbourne would keep the time the same. I was wrong. I awoke at what my clock said was 7:35. I was informed by Pierre, who came into Derek’s and my room wake us up, it was actually 8:05. We were leaving in ten minutes. Needless to say, I didn’t have time for a shower, so I hurriedly packed and folded the laundry I was able to do the night before. Since then, I have ensured that my clock is now on the correct time zone.
We embarked on a city tour of Melbourne, which is a very lovely modern place. Melbourne, although, is a bit of a progressive place in a social and political sense, the San Francisco of Australia to Sydney’s LA and Brisbane’s San Diego. Our first stop was the Melbourne Gaol (or Jail) where the famous Ned Kelly was kept and, in 1881, hung. Ned Kelly is Australia’s most famous bushranger (or cowboy). He was a bit of a hero and a criminal, compared to Robin Hood in that he robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Those who came to Australia from Ireland, from where his family came, were plagued by the corruption of the police force, and Ned Kelly, sometimes using questionable means, stood up to resist them. During a lengthy and daring shootout with police at Glenrowan, Kelly, wearing a ninety pound suit of homemade armor, was shot twenty-seven times before being captured. Even though thousands of people signed a petition to save his life, he was executed. A very well-done film has been made about him starring Heath Ledger, Orlando Bloom, and Geoffrey Rush.
The gaol was very much like Kilmainham Gaol in Dubin, Ireland, which may not mean much to some people, but I thought it an accurate comparison. A death-mask of Kelly was encased in glass, as was his Colt revolver. A dramatization of Kelly’s life was performed by an actress and actor, each taking on several different roles. It was an engaging and well-executed show. We were then given some time to look around the cells and three floors. We were led on a brief tour of the premises and then a bit more time to look around. One cell spoke of an American soldier during WWII who murdered three women in Melbourne. The city was thrown into a panic until the solider was captured. During his trial, he laughed and giggle in a haunting and disturbing manner. Though he was probably insane, he was hung.
We then went to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is the largest church in Australia. It was a beautiful and enormous building. I sat for a minutes, just thinking and observing an old man in front of me praying an a young priest across the aisle sitting contemplatively.
Our next stop was Captain Cook’s cottage. Cook, as hopefully people will recall, was the man who brought Europeans to settle Australia. He is regarded as one of the greatest sailors to ever sail, a man of incredibly accomplishments who was unfortunately killed by the natives of Hawaii. His cottage now sits in Fitzroy Gardens, completely dismantled and shipped here from England. It’s a lovely little building. I think I could live in something like it. Cozy and comfortable.
Lunch was at the Hard Rock Café. I’m enjoying those places. It was my second time to eat in one and I must say the burgers there are really stinkin’ good. We then set out on a very long drive to our next destination. William sat with me. We spent the ride looking out the window, telling stories, and singing songs. He told me all about Narnia and I told him “Jack and the Beanstalk.” William then asked me who I was going to marry. I told him I didn’t know.
“You cuhd mawy (marry) me,” he said.
“I don’t know, punk,” I said. “I don’t think that’s a right thing to do.”
“It’s iwegal,” he said. “We’d be in jail.”
I laughed and said, “Yeah, I don’t think it’s a good thing.”
“But,” he said, sounding hurt, “I wike being wif you.”
“Well, how about we be really good buds and our families can hang out?”
He thought a minute and then said, “Okay.”
We then came to the Great Ocean Road, which is a beautiful stretch along the coast. The drive along the west coast of Italy is much more striking, at least, more striking than this section of the road. Still, it wasn’t hard on the eyes. We came to our accommodations for the evening: a group of cabins situated in the hills. We parked the bus at the bottom of a steep and long hill which went to the cabin. I really liked the place. I’m in one with Ashley, Greer, Patrick, and Kevin Larey. It was good to have a little switch of roommates, just to be around other people.
We drove back along the road to Anglesea Golf Club where we ate dinner. The chicken schnitzel was pretty much delicious. I sat with Derek, Darren, Heidi, Lily, Cara, Joelle, and Jennifer Byram and I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time. I was asked to tell a few stories about high school and the like and I couldn’t stop laughing about some of those interesting experiences. We then shared gas stories, and I don’t mean petrol. Funny stuff.
I went for a run when we got back to the cabins. It was dark, so I didn’t really feel like going a great distance. So, I ran up and down the big hill ten times at full-speed. And it was cold outside. I think I got my workout for the day.
Although I enjoyed the weather in the Outback, the constant barrage of flies got a little tiresome. They went after every little bit of moisture available. I very much like Fall weather, or sweat-shirt weather. It’s good here. I’m a fan.
Greer, Ashley, Abby, Felicity, Katie, and I sat on the porch, sipping coffee and talking. Greer asked me about my “Free Palestine” t-shirt, which I haven’t worn for a long time but he remembered from when I did and said I had promised to tell him about it. So, I basically told them all about my dad’s and my trip there this summer and about the conflict, from the perspective of both our Israeli and Palestinian friends. He asked a lot of questions, and I did my very best to answer them. I talked about the very disgusting Separation Wall and of the places and people we met on our trip. I talked about the differences between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and how the wall does not follow any border previously recognized, including the United Nations’ 1967 border. It was a very stimulating and engaging conversation. I really appreciated Greer wanting to know, because I really want to talk to people about it and share what I have learned, though I sometimes feel that maybe people won’t necessarily wish to know all about it. It was really cool to have someone genuinely wanting to know, and feeling appalled and disturbed by what he heard. It’s been a good night.
Right now, we are sitting around the kitchen table. Joelle and Anna have joined us, and Katie and Felicity have departed for bed. Jack Johnson is strumming away on his guitar and singing sweet music and the cabin is warm and life doesn’t seem too bad at all. However, my mind shifts back to Raja’i and other friends stuck in the West Bank, prisoners in their own land. And it makes me wish……I could do something more.



October 20th, 2006 Chestnut Hill Lodge, Kallista, Australia
I made it to the bus on time this morning, and we went into town for breakfast. I never voluntarily eat breakfast, wanting more sleep, but when we go as a group I usually stuff my face. Today was no exception.
We then began a rather lengthy drive along the Great Ocean Road. It was raining, and it was beautiful. To the left was the sea, leading all the way to Antarctica. To the right were rolling hills of different shades of green and little cottages. I thought of Ireland, and missed it. If I was to live in Australia, it would be here in the state of Victoria. The weather has been cool, what I would term “sweat-shirt weather” and it’s my favorite. It was a relaxing drive as I watched the soothing terrain through the rain-pattered windows.
We eventually came to one of the most spectacular sites I have ever seen: the Twelve Apostles. Along a coast of dramatic cliff-faces resembling the Cliffs of Moher in western Ireland, a series of giant limestone pillars rise from the depths of the sea. The waves tore at the cliffs, smashing against the posts. Only eight of the twelve now remain; I suppose the others were already martyred. The rain was light now and the wind was fierce and the scenery was breathtaking. I traversed the wooden walkways searching for every view possible, my camera set on rapid fire. I very much could have stayed there all day, gazing out to the sea and to the columns of eroding rocks. Unfortunately, this was not possible, so I took in as much as I possibly could. I thought about building a castle on the summit of the biggest one and constructing a rope bridge to reach my home. The possibility of the support of my limestone home crumbling down into the deep blue sea prevented this thought from developing any further.
Lunch was eaten in the little town of Port Campbell. I love these small seaside villages. I really think I could live in one, eating fish and chips and watching the waves. Deep, satisfactory sigh………….moving on.
A very long drive followed lunch. The movie Elf was played, and I enjoyed a healthy, wholesome laugh. I slept for awhile after this and then continued reading The Prestige. This book is amazing! Ah, I’m so confused and captivated! I really don’t want to put it down, but I do sometimes anyway.
We drove into the Dandenong Ranges and to our lodge, which is nestled in the national park, surrounded by the woods. It’s a peaceful location. I’m with Derek and Will once again. The large gathering area contains a pool table, and we’ve been playing ever since we’ve arrived. I taught Annie and William to play, and then the guys played or awhile. I beat Colin, our bus driver, who is quite an impressive pool player. He and I then teamed up and smoke three or four games in a row. I love pool. That’s a cool kind of game. I found my groove, which is always fun.
We are here for two nights, which is nice compared to having to pack up immediately. I think I’m going to join another game of pool.

October 21st, 2006 Chestnut Hill Lodge, Kallista, Australia
This morning we shuttled down to our bus and then drove to a little town nearby where we boarded the Puffing Billy Steam Train. We sat in open-air cars and were able to sit on the railings and let our legs dangle out the side. It was raining again, which went very well with the smoke and the trees through which we were traveling. I’m a big advocate of trains.
Colin met us in Lakeside, which was our final stopping point. He had grown up here. It’s a beautiful place in which to be raised, surrounded by the woods. We continued to a restaurant called the Cuckoo. It’s an Austrian-styled place, in architecture, in music, and in the costumes worn by the waitresses. I’m not a big fan of yodeling, but the food was incredible and the atmosphere was fun. I wandered around outside for awhile. We spent quite a lot of time here, listening to the music and just chatting over coffee.
Our next stop was in Sassafras, which consisted of a bunch of little antique shops. For some reason, a group of females felt like they needed to spend more money, so we spent about an hour doing nothing. I mean….enjoying the pleasantness of this place. I sat on a bench and read more. I have been reading mostly the entire night. I am completely engulfed in this book and am fighting the urge to skip to the end and figure out how it ends. I’m almost finished, and it’s getting crazier and crazier. This book is fantastically written and the twists have been amazing. The movie came out yesterday and it’s tearing me up that I will have to wait until I return to the States to watch it. It has received incredible reviews, which only adds to my desire to see it….now.
I went for a run when we got back to the lodge. I ran for around twenty minutes, but it was very cold outside and I was going up and down these immense gravel hills. I felt dully tuckered out when I arrived back at the lodge.
Pool, dinner, and reading have basically been the main components of the evening. At 9 most of us gathered downstairs in a large living area for a sort of devotional. Colin joined us, as did our host and hostess. They seem to be in their forties and only just recently became the owners of this place. They are Christians and I was really encouraged by their presence. We sang a ton of songs and spent some time looking at the Sermon on the Mount and talking about some impressions we had of it. The passage about specks and planks and eyeballs and worrying were the main topics. I closed the shindig in a prayer. Rich had a great idea in that he wants this to continue once or twice a week, just so we have some time to talk about some issues people may want to discuss more and so we have some debriefing time during our traveling. It’s hard to believe less than a month is left. Is it wrong that this makes me sad?

Nah.