Sunday, 3 July 2016

Phillip Island

Late last month a few of my friends and I went away to Phillip Island for a couple of days, and despite it being only a short holiday, we had a fantastic time. Unlike a lot of people I know, I never really visited Phillip Island growing up, unless you count the time my parents and I stopped by for a couple hours to see my cousins who were staying at a caravan park there when I was six. And the only thing I remember from that was how windy it was that my mum wrapped her scarf around my head and I ate teddy bear biscuits. This time around was very different and certainly a lot more fun. 

Leaving on a Tuesday evening, four of us drove down and upon arrival we picked our room buddies and played a card game. I'm usually not a fan of cards (other than Cards Against Humanity), but this particular card game was actually lots of fun and completely by fluke, I won. 
The next day we walked along the beach which was completely deserted as it is the middle of winter, which is what I really love because it feels as if no one else exists and all your troubles and stresses are left behind. That afternoon we walked along the cliff area called the Nobbies and it was absolutely stunning. Very, very, very windy (like my six year old self remembered), but such a breathtaking coastline which makes you feel really lucky to have the opportunity to live in such a beautiful country. Watching the waves hit the rocks is captivating and I could easily just stay there forever. If anyone wants to go to see an inspirational landscape, the Nobbies is definitely a place to go. 
Look how beautiful it is! This is actually real!
The day turned even better, because that night we went to see the penguins!!!!! I have heard so much about the penguins all my life and I was really excited and at the same time was sort of like "why is this a big deal?" That skeptical side of my head is stupid and I'm glad I ignore it a lot of the time because that evening was incredible. Yes, we were sitting in the cold and yes, it involved a lot of waiting (which felt similar to the feeling of waiting at a concert and the musician/ band is taking forever to come on stage), but it was worth it all, because the first penguin that appeared, I wanted to squeal with joy, but instead I just was gripping on my friend's arm and squeezing it tightly whenever more and more penguins emerged. I don't have any photos of that night because you're not allowed to take photos or film, so I just need you to trust me when I say that it was incredible to watch. I got so emotionally invested in one penguin in particular because they arrived on the shore with no one and it was scared of the seagulls and tried to swim back into the ocean but the waves kept bringing it back to the sand and then ten or so metres away another penguin arrived and it was minutes of watching the two trying to get to one another... I was gripping two of my friend's arms so tightly and I was almost in tears. But they finally reached each other and ran into the nesting area together, so happily ever after for the cute Little Penguins! YAY! 

The next day we went bush walking and later got fish and chips for lunch (because a visit to the beach isn't official until you eat them), before going to a maze and illusions activity place which was lots of fun. That was also our last day, so that evening we bought marshmallows and toasted them in the fireplace while watching a brilliant film 'Kingsman: The secret service', which was the best way to end our wonderful trip. 


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