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11/15/10

I slept in this morning, I did not intend to sleep in so much but it was so peaceful and I was enjoying having a room to myself. I finally did rise by 10 am and ate a quick breakfast and then I was getting ready to go on one of the great hikes in the National Forest. I was about to go and I found out that Reafael was about to go out for a hike as well. I asked her if she wanted to join me on my hike and she did. I told her that I wanted to go on a 4 hour hike and she was up to join me We left around noon and as soon as we left it started to rain. I brought a backpack with some lunch and my camera and my rain coat. The hike was nice and the first part was the same as the hike I did yesterday afternoon. The new part of this hike was single track and it winded down with some switch backs with lots of rocks and at times hard to keep on the trail. Near the bottom and about two hours into the hike was a gorgeous view of this hidden little bay with a sandy beach on the other side and the different colors of the water in the bay was breath taking. I had the idea to get in the water and cross over to the sandy side which appeared to be some sort of a park with some picnic tables and also a covered area. I would have been a nice place to get across and have a dry place to eat dinner. Rafael was up for it and I went to go across, I made it with some ease but the water got a bit higher then I expected it might (maybe up to my shoulders) I was carrying my backpack and shoes above my head. I was happy to be on the other side and the sand felt great on my feet. The side I entered on was full of sharp coral type shells so I had to step carefully and gentle as to not tear up my feet. I was headed back and I told Rafael that I would carry her bag and shoes across for her and she told me she was not interested since it was deep and she would have to swim maybe 10 yards or so. I was disappointed but I just got my stuff and headed back to the other side. I realized on the hike back that my backpack was in no way any type of water proof or water resistant so the peanut butter sandwiches I had packed for my lunch were soggy. That was a bummer but I ate one of them anyway since I was hungry. The hike back was also nice but I grew a bit tired of the constant rain and when we returned to the hostel after the four and a half hour hike I was ready to just chill at the hostel which is more like a getaway retreat then it is a hostel. If I had more time and did not feel that I need to keep moving this is a place I would be happy to spend many more days relaxing and hiking the different trails. I also meet the man who runs this place tonight and his name is Michael and he has worked here for eight years. He seems like a great guy and I did the paper work and paid him for the two nights I had planned on staying here, I made my self some rice for dinner along with having a cup of tea. It was nice to have a warm drink and warm meal after the wet hike. I may join Rafael on her trip to the Blue Mountains youth hostel tomorrow, I was planning on heading that way but I was going to opt for the more expensive and bit longer journey of taking the ferry from Manly into Sydney where you go right into the Sydney and see the Opera house and the harbor bridge from the boat. I may just tag along and take the cheaper bus route for some good company and wait to see if I have time on a return trip to Sydney to get in the ferry ride. Did I mention how much I like this hostel I am sitting on the covered deck enjoying the view of the harbor as it starts to get dark. Today was a nice relaxing day I am hopeful that the weather is better for travels tomorrow.