WOW! How is it only #3 on the best roads of the
world????? After driving 177 Kilometers
on the GOR yesterday, we drove all the way to Warrnambool another 200+
Kilometers today. We left early trying to beat the “holiday crowd” out of Lorne
on the way over to Apollo Bay for a late breakfast. We stopped at a spot that
usually holds some wild koala bears to view, but much like the kangaroos, none
were seen. We hotfooted over to Apollo cutting our travel time dramatically
using something available to motorcyclist here in the state of Victoria called “Lane
Filtering”. Basically, there is a law that states you don’t have to wait in any
lines of traffic, and you are welcome to go over to the shoulder and keep
moving past all of the stopped cars. We easily passed several thousand cars
patiently waiting and easily took 1 ½ hours off our travel time. There were a
number of “butt puckering” moments when there really wasn’t adequate room to
get between the motionless cars and the guard rails, but even though Neal
rubbed one with his side bag in one incident, we arrived safely in Apollo Bay
for a late breakfast.
Erin who will basically only eat eggs or pancakes for
breakfast, found they had eggs & toast so she was set. Jenn & I trying
to find something local to eat settled on Muesli. It is a popular Aussie breakfast dish based on raw rolled oats flavored with fresh fruit, seeds, nuts, yogurt, hoeny and fruit juice mixed with milk. It was awesome
and very filling. We then motored our way through the Great Otway National Park
and on our way there we saw a couple of cars pulled over and stopped to
investigate. Turns out there were a
mother, baby, and daddy wild koala bear up in a tree next to the road, so we
stopped and took some pictures before continuing on.
Our destination, Otway
point, is the farthest southern point on the Australian mainland, and home to
the famous lighthouse.
We took some time exploring the point and the lighthouse
and then back on the bikes to “The Twelve Apostles”. Turns out due to wave
action they are down to like 10.5.
Anyway an incredible view and yet another spectacular
set of views from the point. I know that I have said it before, but although
the “touristy” destination points are awesome, the ride to get there are beyond
description. It rivals our ride on the Cassier up in British Columbia, and I
would be hard pressed to say which one is more beautiful.
I am so lucky to not
only get the chance to see it firsthand, but am so blessed to get to do it with
Jenn, Erin, and my dear friend Neal. My words do not do it justice. We did the
loop out and back to the point and then hopped on our bikes for our resting
place for the evening Warrnmbool. We arrived in the late afternoon and checked
into our room. The room literature said they had incredible “delivery food”,
and we called them and they said they would deliver, but they were right next
door so if we were willing, although they don’t open until later, they would
prepare it and have it ready in about ½ hour. I have got to tell you that the
Australian folks have been incredible hosts and quick to ask questions once
they find out we are from the states. Awesome folks and quick to help when we
are not sure to do. So the owner prepared our meals, Jenn & I had Seafood
Risotto with scallops, prawns, squid, in a white wine, sage and romano sauce
with creamy roasted garlic. Neal had Fillet with a Prawn garnish of creamy
garlic and green onion reduction, and Erin had the Australian “Chicken Nuggets”.
The food was even better than it sounds
and we walked back to the room all fat and happy to settle in and drink what is
left of our alcohol beverages so we don’t have to waste the fuel carrying it back
to Melbourne tomorrow. The GOR was even
better than I could have imagined. Another diamond day!
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