Everything is awesome

Sunday, November 8th, 21:20 (9:20pm)

I feel old.

Yesterday after our hike I was knackered. I was crushed. I was tired and sore and just wanted to crawl into bed. Somehow I managed to get my sore tushie down to the Lake House and have some dinner, socialize and enjoy a glass of wine. This morning we were lazy and it was wonderful. I needed sustenance immediately when I woke up, going with Hubbard's Hazelnut Muesli, with almond milk, microwaved for a minute and a half, and adding a whole banana, in slices. It was perfect. Along with it I enjoyed my Robbert Harris Italian Roast instant coffee with a few splashes of almond milk. [Photos from this are on a previous posting from this morning]. The coffee was sub par today, which made me super bummed that I didn't realize that there was free drip coffee in the hostel! Face palm.

My second cuppa was at the cafe, Taste. The veggie frittata was also sub par. After I finally found the cafe I wanted to go to originally, but for some reason just shrugged and said okay to going to the one by the lake, I was immediately disappointed. They had way better food! Just as I remembered. We got a slice of carrot cake to go. It was THE BEST carrot cake I have ever had in my entire life. I apologize to everyone whose made me carrot cake - I remember two specific times, both after grueling hikes. Those were amazing and most  importantly so sweet. But this...this was mind blowing. Every bite was perfect. Sweet, salty, chewy, crunchy. Carrot shreds, walnuts, cream cheese frosting with cranberries and pumpkin seeds in it. Holy crap. Yum. [Photo also on the other blog].

Onward.

I was still tired, all day. After two coffees, majority of a giant piece of carrot cake, muesli, veggie frittata, and a lemon lime bitters. And no working out. Not even a walk. And nine hours of sleep. What?!?

We arrived at our destination of Hahei, a town in between Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove. We had our eyes on a holiday park so we could camp. But our exhaustion led us to inquire about beds. We were so tired we could barely think. I did not want to share a room with any strangers again. I did not want to setup my tent unless it was someone amazing and remote and close to, or actually free. "I van guarantee your own room in a four share," the AMAZING front desk lady told us. "Yes. Yes, please."

Thank goodness Larissa was game. She's five (going on six) years younger than me. And although I have get young at heart and super healthy my whole life, it seems the last year has drastically aged me. I often feel old around her. And around all the young travellers I often find myself surrounded by. I've just wanted to sleep for, well most of the last five days. But, alas, I continue to do fun, amazing, active adventures! Yoga, kayaking, surfing, hiking, walking along the beach, running along the beach. All within the last week.

As soon as we got into our Backpackers Cottage four share room, probably around 5:30/6pm, I dropped by bags and lied down on the bed. Curled in ball. I could have fallen asleep instantly. In that moment, I strongly felt that I should. "Maybe that's what my body needs," I was thinking as Larissa changed into her running clothes. "Oh alright," I thought, "I'll walk to Cathedral Cove and meditate there," I told her. But then, as she went to use the facilities, I had the urge to prepare for running. So I laced up my runners. Black sports bra, black tank (that I never wear for working out but had no other tank options), and my Texas running shorts, that I never run in, ever.

As we walked down to the beach I warned her, "I probably won't be able to keep up with you. Maybe I'll just run for a bit." As soon as we got down to the hard sand and started running, just after 30 seconds I felt 10 times better and wide awake! It was amazing. We ran on that sand, admiring all the random islands scattered just off shore. Then hit the stairs that were necessary in order to access all the coves, walking our ascent. When it started flattening out, Larissa ran ahead. I started just after her. She had her headphones in. "It's my meditation," he explained. Mine is listening to the birds, the waves, the crunch of my shoes in the dirt, and even my breath. I used to need music, now I only use it while on the treadmill.

We really ran next to each other, but we stayed right near each other most of the time. I'd see her around a corner and catch up. Then she'd pull ahead after I decided to walk a bit. It was perfect. And it was fun! We were plowing through the tourists walking from Cathedral Cove fro various car parks. And we were killin' it! Yogging away in our shorts and tanks, after being so tired all day long, and after being on the trail for eight hours yesterday. I felt like we were part of the amazing race or something. Just like after abseiling, canyoning and surfing, I felt like a badass. And my body felt great. And my mind was clear and calm. And the scenery was mind blowing.

Rolling green hills, jungle forests, boardwalks, scattered islands, sand, arches, waterfalls. Even the toilet had a good view! I took more photos in those two hours than I do some entire days and sometimes weeks! So rad.

When we arrived back at Hahei beach, where we are staying in the holiday park, literally just behind the sand, I came upon Larissa taking off her runners and tank and heading for the ocean waves. "Hmm, I dunno if I feel like it right now," I thought for a second, but then quickly realized I never turn down a swim in cold natural water! Ripping my bright blue Brooks running shoes off, along with my black Brooka running socks, and that black Old Navy tank, throwing my phone on top of it all, and lastly the sunglasses, I walked towards that white foam while undoing my hair from it's long tail. As soon as my locks were free Larissa turned to me and there her arms in the air, as I started to gallop/skip into the water. "Wooohooo!"

I dove through a few waves, and floated a top a few. They were perfect. the water was perfectly cold to help our healing bodies recover. We were both grinning from ear to ear and giggling, both agreeing how much we loved this beach. Once out of the water, Larissa decided to do planks and work her core. I almost agreed to join, but realized I was in such a calm, clear, and cleansed state, I didn't want to return to a state of tension. So, I decided to find a spot to meditate, again (I did for seven minutes at Cathedral Cove). I find a tiny little log, not even a foot by foot, and settled in for ten minutes. The position and points of strength in my body reminded me of the 10 day silent Vipassanna course. So, I did body scans. It was lovely. It was a perfect way to end it all.

A nice warm shower in peace always feels stupendous. When traveling, every shower feels life a gift. Last year, having an untimed hot shower was something special. This year, for me, it's having a bit of privacy. Some alone time. A shower where you can't hear anyone else, no one is walking by. You can close and shut the door and just have your own shower time. I deeply appreciate those moments now.

When I was on that trail today, for the first time, I felt like those beautiful girls you see jogging along. Those ones that don't look like they need to run at all but they so it anyway, for whatever reason. She is tan, in short shorts, pony tail of luscious locks bouncing side to side. Sunglasses and a big smile on her face. I'm the one in calf length tights, hair tight in a bun, and shuffing and puffing, concentrating too hard on my breath or form to smile. And I always running, not jogging. Yes, there is a difference. Today, I felt like that beautiful girl, for the first time ever. Not that I don't feel beautiful other times, but never while running! I was wearing short running shorts, my legs looked gorgeously tanned, I had to tie my hair in a pony tail because it's gotten too long and heavy to be held up in a bun, and I was all smiles, having an absolute ball! Today, I was that girl. Oh yeah. H-O- double T, hott! I was shocked to be running along in short shorts and not feeling the life long pain of jnner thigh chaffing. I started day dreaming of buying additional running shorts with the built in underwear, just like these, and never going back to running tights again. Then I'd always feel free, my legs would be even more tan, and I'd get to feel like the hot chick on a weekly basis. Score! But these dreams were instantly shattered the moment I got in the hot shower and felt that familiar sting on the inner thighs. Damn. Back to tights.

"Everything is awesome. Everything is cool when you're part of a team. Everything is awesome, when we're living our dream."

Until tomorrow,
Tash