Anything beautiful is worth it

Days 10 and 11 -

Easing up on the sugar is not a practicality on holibubs - this is my deduction. My Backpackers generously issued me a free coupon to exchange at a corner store for a croissant and an uuuuuugoooo hot choco (its mediocrity was not to my exquisite standards). But how can a girl grumble when she didn't have to pay 1 cent for her brek?

Natalia, Ella and I went down to watch the Moomba Parade but were ushered along for sitting in the wrong place for the procession. The significance of this festival all seems so random and without any particular meaning or symbolism. What IS it a celebration of? Cultural diversity? WEIRDNESS? Still it's fun for all the fam and I'm delighting in all the kooky dafties. 

Ungentlemanly bogans pushed in front so we had a cruddy view of the eclectic floats and dancers and we became squished in amidst the hoardes. Rather than start a school yard brawl due to their disrespect, I kept my cool and clapped on as the exuberant cavalcade passed. Admittedly, I was fretting about pickpockets in such a bustling throng, clinging on to my backpack with all my might. Please don't think badly of me, it's just a case of paranoid cautiousness that I cannot shake. 

The Queen of the festival was some Bollywood actress and the King, none other than Shane Warne, the superstar cricketer. He copped our chants of 'WARNEY!!! WARNEY!!!!' as he waved to the gatherers. We grabbed a bite to eat after the crowd dispersed, to satisfy our peckish tummy rumblings. THE CHEEK to rip into my luncheon and find that my 'gourmet' chicken and avocado sarny was avocado-less!! Don't these dogs know NEVER to come between a Rianne and her belly??

To get away from all the craziness of the festivities, I caught the train with Natalia to Upper Fern Tree Gully. The two of us headed into the Dandenong Ranges for the killer jaunt up 1000 steps on the Kokoda memorial trail. I felt very Bear Grylls as it was wild kingdomy, right in the heart of dense bush. But I was not the rock star I would lead you to believe; for on our way up I was afflicted with a red face and a sticky sheen of the unfit! I'm sorry for what I've done to you body; I will personally take it upon myself to get you back into shape if it kills me! :( 

I had to stop at least 10 times along the path (under the guise of photo taking) this really meant I was enabled to catch my breath again. Some CRAY CRAY fitness freaks with the bodies of beanpoles were running up and doing exercises suggested on sign posts at the pit stops. That's NOT my idea of absolute exhilaration; it's gotta be said. I'll let those ding dongs proceed to sprint to the top! 

Traipsing 1.5km UP took it out of me and what's worse, I could sense the intense stares of fellow ramblers feeling bad for me. If all was right in the world, they'd have fallen face-first into a muddy puddle! Forgive me for taking the time to bask in the beauty of the surroundings! The course was up so very high but the trees concealed the incredible views and the dramatic drop down. Some parts were insanely steep but as much as I complain, I didn't want an easy ride. It's not just 1000 steps in a row (as I expected) there were large step-less intervals en route which were misleading us to think we were reaching the top. WE WEREN'T. The 'ordeal' was just starting out. 

We only saw several birds and 1 miniscule spider with black and white spots in the way of wildlife, along the beaten track. It was my first brush with one in its natural habitat and it was not so terrifying really. In light of how infamous Australia is for all its deadly living things populating the continent, you'd think you'd run into MORE. There are probably *TOO* many of the 8 legged beasties; they must be scurrying away from the big, bad humans. 

It's a hiking miracle that I made it to the summit! The way back down was heaps easier and cooler in the shade, so there was no need for stopping. Though I was still sweaty, my legs turned to jelly at the end and the sun was strong again. A marshmallow and chocolate Paddle pop (why are they so SCRUMPTIOUS?) revived me as we departed. 

Back to our colourful establishment to do a spot of laundry and take a nice, soothing shower to stop being a stinky winky! The international representation of nations continues at the hostel, as we got to know our new homies (a Swedish girl, one from the Phillipines and more Germans) with some dorm bonding. It's all too wonderful to friendship people from all walks of life, that ordinarily would not cross your path :) 

A particularly gorgeous, spag bol takeaway was devoured with my Nat as I had a hankering for pasta. I had another early-ish, lazy night.. Oh me, oh my I needed a masseuse to rub my fatigued feet after all that exertion! 

Tuesday - 

Lunched with 3 kind, handsome fellas in Frankston and had a look around the shopping centre at Bayside. They greeted me warmly and were all very lovely; I had a fun time in their company, gabbing away. I was a bit intimidated at first but they all put me at ease and made me feel so welcome that then I COULDN'T stop this mouth of mine from flapping and probably came across quite cuckoo!!!! I am admittedly a nut ball and it should be illegal for me to speak half the time, so I'm hoping that I wasn't too infuriating. 

They directed me on, still smiling to Frankston beach - which is GLORIOUS. It more than rivals St Kilda in terms of beachly beauty with its turquoise, crystal waters and golden, glimmering sands. I sat feeling peace, love and vivacity all at the same time, soaking up the sun and breathing in life. 

The Friends, Foes and Superheroes beach side exhibition left me amazed at the intricate details and painstaking craftsmanship of the sand sculptures. Disney doodads light up my world as did the uncanny sand likenesses of many of the Disney greats. Had a little Frozen soundtrack sing song very LOUDLY as I lazed on one of the sun loungers :D HAHA, apologies to all who wanted me to shut up but were too polite to say so! 

It was a shame that I couldn't find the Wuxi walk (named to strengthen friendship with Frankston's sister city in China) that I'd wanted to do - meh. *Picture my grumpy face* Thereon I returned to the city and met Kelly, another Brit back at our hostel. We quickly struck up a friendship and I invited her along with me to take a walk and go to the Eureka Tower, smack in the belly of the metropolis. 

The views from the Eureka Skydeck are breathtaking; the height of 297.3 metres less good. At level 88 we set foot upon the Southern Hemisphere's highest vantage point. A fact that made me too nervous to go out on the glass for the Vertigo experience so I handed my free voucher over to Kelly. Curse my cowardly disposition!  The city is 'polluted' with prettiness and it seemed like it was all for only me :) Watching the sun set right before my eyes was so frickin' beautiful! 

Met the United crew and took part in the weekly quiz at Lost and Found again. We DOMINATE at trivia!!! On this occasion, we came a respectable third place which is the position I wanted as I had my eyes on the stupidly delicious Tim Tams!!! DELIGHTEDDDDDD. :) The team kept trying to feed me more and more; administering the word 'no' was futile until I dropped the whole packet on the floor - WHOOPSIES! Being the bold woman that I am, I shared them out with unsuspecting fools!! :D 

Bunking down early was a necessity for waking at the butt crack of dawn on the morrow. That's not nearly as lame as it sounds for I was to embark on a Great Ocean Road day tour the next day. Zzzzzzzzz

Peace out, peaches xxx