Dreams...: Halls Gap and the Grampians National Park

Heading north, Cicco was tested as we had to drive up winding mountain roads. With 2 feet on the gas pedal and enough elan, we managed to creep up the hills without rolling backwards :) We passed through some beautiful, wild farmlands and ranches on narrow roads and arrived in Halls Gap in the late afternoon.

We checked into Tim's Place and were greeted and welcomed by...Tim and his dog Pudding. :) Time made us feel at home right away and, after finding out that we didn't come from Ireland (Pat, his name and accent, which by the way a lot of people have already mistaken for in Irish accent...) but from Luxembourg and thus were aquainted with the French language, suggested we should come by the next day to their Petanque game. We found that very funny...a southern French sport being carried out proudly and competitavely on the other side of the world. For the rest of the day we walked to the Brambuk National Park and Culture Center where we learned about the local Aboriginal Dreaming story of Gariwerd. On our way back, we took a path through the bush and came across a large number of wild Kangaroos and Wallabies. The forest looked almost jungle-like, and somehow both of us, through films and books, were thinking about how we always imagined Kangaroos living in step- or desert-like environments, but not in a lush, green setting...so when we ate our pasta in the garden that night, lots of Wallabies kept us company on the grass...it was a unique experience.

Since we were in desperate need for some exercise, we decided the next day to go hiking and opted for the longest path in the area, the Halls Gap-Pinnacle-Halls Gap tour. Looking back, we were a bit stupid. The sun was glaring down on us with 32 degrees C and we hadn't put any suncream on...(yes, stupid stupid). So off we went, jolly and ambitious...and, after stunning views, dramatic climbs, streanous up-way trails, some dizzyness, and sunburned shoulders, we arrived at the top at the Pinnacle view point and it was all worthwhile...

The way down was more easygoing, although we almost missed an off-turn and were almost forced to spend the night beneath the stars and with the dingos. :) We were almost down when we spotted an Echidna trying to hide from us (or the heat). Funny looking animals. Kind of a crossing between a hedgehog (Igel) and a huge mole (Maulwurf).

Before heading back to Tim's we cooled down at the Venus Baths and soaked our clothes in ice cold water. The cool-down was much needed.

The next day, we took Cicco and drove to the Balconies and MacKenzie Falls. A beautiful, isolated, yet over-crowded spot in a valley. We had our picnic and headed back to town.

All in all, Halls Gap was B E A U T I F U L :) And the exercise was good for us, preventing us from getting too comfortable, lazy and chubby from all the driving :)