Bigurda Trail & Kalbarri National Park- August 5, 2019

I woke up next to a very struggling Emma. I went to the bus to get our stuff while she managed to semi turn herself into a functioning human. Emma wasn’t the only one struggling, it seemed like almost everyone had a little less pep in their step, and the drink in their hands were no longer alcoholic.

Even though many of us were on the struggle bus, it was still time to get back on the #whynotbus, Daisy, to continue our drive up north. We didn’t even get out of our campsite before the bus stopped moving. Cam screamed that we all needed to vacate the bus. I was so confused, we had only just gotten on it. We each exited one by one to find out the bus had too much weight on it and it was making it impossible to get over a little dirt speed bump . Seeing the markings in the dirt where the bus hit the dirt was hilarious to me. But with the weight of the passengers removed, Daisy made it over the hump with no problems as we all stood and watched from the sidelines.

It was smooth sailing the rest of the drive to our first stop of the day, the Bigurda Trail. I loved everything about this trail. I took my time leisurely strolling on the path soaking in the sun, the rocky coastline and the gorgeous blue Indian Ocean. The trail seemed to go on forever and I got the same type of feeling while walking this path as I did when I walked the Great Wall of China two years ago. The length of both were just overwhelmingly large, beautiful and unique in their own way. We even got to see a few dolphins and humpback whales in the distance. I’m pretty sure it was my first time seeing a wild humpback and though it was so far away, I thought it was pretty cool to see. This trail was also the first time that I noticed Guus took out his drone. I had never seen one flown so close to me before and getting to see a bit of how it worked was awesome. Using the drone, we also got our first big group photo.

Our next stop was the Kalbarri River Mouth where we stopped for a shower, if you could really call it that. It was a beach shower. One that is outside and you typically use to rinse the salt water and sand off your body. Except for us, it was our real shower. So I put on my bathing suit grabbed my toiletries and began to shower myself, hair and all as strangers and my bus mates observed. The water was freezing and it was a weird experience showering with spectators but it was better than nothing. After showering we walked down the block to the cafe, supermarket and liquor store for people to get what they needed and wanted. We then went back to the bus for lunch where we made wraps and picnicked and chilled on the grass.

It was time to leave and Cam was looking for the keys to lock up the bus. I told him that I thought Venus had the bus and trailer key from when she opened up the trailer to begin getting things ready for lunch. She was no where to be found. He started screaming “Venus!” “Venus!”, but it really sounded like he was screaming penis. It was hilarious and everyone started to crack up like the prepubescent boys used to do in middle school health class. Go ahead, try screaming “Venus!”, you’ll see what I mean. Seconds later Venus emerges from the bathroom laughing, keys in hand. We all hopped back on Daisy and to our next destination, Kalbarri National Park. The views were beautiful! Everywhere you turned was just gorgeous views and unique rock formations. Apparently one of the most famous formations is called “Nature’s Window”. I had never heard about it but a lot of other people had. I’m pretty sure I was the only one on the trip who didn’t get a picture it in. I’m just not really one to “do it for the gram”. I’d rather be a little unique so I decided to do a handstand picture next to it instead ;).

Last but not least, our final touristy thing in the park and of the day was our visit to the Z-Bend lookout. It was cool to see how natural movement of the Murchison River has created the “Z” shaped bends into the Tumblagooda Sandstone.

It was such a great day filled with such beautiful and unique sights, but we were all exhausted and happy to head to our Galena Bridge campsite on the Murchison River. By now we all knew the nightly routine. Arrive at campsite… pitch tent…collect wood and start fire or cook dinner… eat dinner… clean up dinner…drink and hang with the gang around the fire..sleep. And that’s exactly what we did.

Catch me if you can…

Jo Mo