#58 - great ocean road -> apollo bay
So, this morning I got up and headed to Peter Pan's backpackers to meet my organized trip for the Great Ocean Road. I should have known with that name, right?!? Well, turns out that it was a MUCH younger group. I had a feeling after I booked it that it would be the case, but I thought, how bad could it be? Well - as I was waiting for the bus the four kids who were waiting for the bus reminded me of ME on the trip I took right after college. THEN, when the bus pulled up - I just knew - there was no way I was going on that trip. It wasn't the best looking bus, it was packed and it was just not how I wanted to spend the next 3 days. SOOOO - I sucked it up & when the driver got off the bus I just told her "Thanks, but I've decided not to go".
SOOO - I called Steve and he graciously agreed to come get me. :) We had a little breakfast, I went back to their place and then I started calling car companies. AVIS basically ROCKS. They were so great. I could do the ride one way, no additional fee & I could pick it up in a half hour. PERFECT!
So, next thing you know - I have my own car & I'm driving down the Great Ocean Road. Woo hoo!!
I drove to Torquay - had a great lunch at Growler's on the beach (they had quinoa!! so fun!) - I drove by Bell's Beach (famous surf beach) and made a bunch of stops WHEREVER I wanted! :) I saw a bunch of GORGEOUS coastline. :) I also saw KANGAROOS and KOALA BEARS today! So frickin cool! All out in the wild. Well, the kangaroos were on a golf course, so I guess that's close.
Anyway, my huge lessons of the day was that 1) always, always, ALWAYS listen to your gut (when i booked the trip i had a feeling it would be a group like the one i saw, i should have bailed sooner...) and 2) that i love doing the whole travel thing on my own to be able to stop when you want & do exactly what you want!!
