I first visited my ex-housemate's farm back in October for a farewell party. Yesterday my housemate invited my family and me to the farm again, this time with a different objective. Before I went back to Singapore last month, my housemate and her boyfriend asked me if I was interested to climb Mount. Warning, one of the highest peaks on the eastern coast of Australia (I think). This morning, we did it!
We set off for the farm yesterday evening at about 7pm, to spend the night there, as it is closer to the mountain, thus saving us a longer drive down from the Gold Coast. We had planned to catch the sunrise, which usually rises at about 5am in the summer months. Climbing up to the peak of the mountain takes about 2 hours, so we woke up at about 2.30am, and left the farm for the mountain at about 3am.
Housemate's brother and his friend decided to join us for the climb. We reached the carpark at about 3.30am, and started our arduous trek. The distance to the peak is about 4.4 km, which will take roughly 2 hours for the normal person. The first part of the track was already rather demanding, with endless stairs to climb! It did not help that the track was windy, and we were walking in total darkness! Good thing we brought torches to shine our way through.
The sun started to peek through the visible horizon when we were about two thirds up! The trek was much much harder than I have expected. Hehe, I thought it was just a simple walk in the park. The most challenging part was the final ascent to the peak. We had to climb up a rock face that is very steep, I reckon it is close to 60 degrees incline! We finally reached the peak of Mount Warning at about 5.30am, and it was all worth it! The view from above is none other than spectacular! The warmth of the sun engulfing the surrounding, a constant cool breeze, and a clearly visible white mist covering the lands below.
Whilst it took us 2 hours to climb up, the descent only took 1 hour. Haha. By the time we reached the carpark again, our calves and thighs have gotten a thorough workout.
The day was not over yet! When we got back to the farm, we had planned to take my housemate's dad's boat out for a spin. We had to rush to take the boat out, as low tide was approaching, in the end we managed to do it in the nick of time.
We were moving idly but gracefully along the Tweed River, housemate's dad is a skilled captain. The boat was moving up north, towards Coolangatta and the Pacific Ocean, while the rest of us relaxed, enjoying the sea breeze and digging into sandwich and beer.
We made a few stops along the way, doing activities and taking in the views of the surrounding. It was also a really hot day, so we cooled off by jumping off the boat. The BBQ was fired up to make sausages to fill up the hungry stomachs.
We got to the mouth of the Tweed River, which links to the ocean, and turned back for home. It has been a tiring but fun and relaxing boat trip for all of us. We docked the boat and got back to the farm at bout 3.30pm. The sun was intense and scorching today, we all went to take a dip in the pool to cool off again!
It was a really fun and relaxing day with family and friends. Words cannot describe the gratitude towards my housemate's family for their hospitality and graciousness. We are truly lucky to be able to experience a side of Australian life that almost all tourists or even city dwellers do not see. I wish to thank them again for a wonderful day, and bless them all! May our paths cross again in the future.
Fortune cookie Quote of the Day: "Resolve to be a master of change, than to be a victim of it."
