Day 15: Sunday 17 November 2024
Kushal and I both are early risers. We got ready and drove to starting point of this morning’s walk at Cabbage Tree Creek. I paid my respect to Mother Earth and started the walk. Before I took off, like everyday since the start of this year’s walk, I connected with my YouTube audience and apprised them of where we were and where we would like to be by the end of the walk that day. We walked to the Bellbird Hotel/Motel that was closed. Perhaps it was too early for it to be open. We just parked the van, had breakfast and started driving back to Stratford for a crew change over.
I messaged Kylie Dixon of the approximate time we would arrive to pick up Kushal Sharma’s car that had been parked at their place since Friday. When we arrived there a few hours later, Jeff and Kylie both were home. They were very happy to see us and we were of course, very pleased and honoured to see them. I took over the van and Kushal followed me in his own car. We came to the meeting place the Badger and Hare Café. Within a few minutes, Hardik Pathak commonly known as Hardik bhai from the Saturday Morning Walk Group arrived with Bharat bhai. The original plan was for Bharat bhai to travel by train from Melbourne to Stratford. Hardik bhai offered to drive as he wanted to catch up with me also. In a way, it turned out to be a blessing or a part of God’s plan, because for some reason, trains were NOT running that day and a replacement bus would have delayed the crew change by hours.
All four of us had lunch and lots of fun together. Hardik pretended to be snoring in the van. We live streamed the movie like scene. We really enjoyed each other’s company even if it was a few minutes. Kushal handed over the van keys to Bharat bhai and left for Melbourne. Shortly after, Hardik bhai followed him. I am so indebted to Kushal Sharma for his support with driving the van but also for reciting bhajans with dholki (a type of Indian drum) while keeping our mind focused when we had finished the walk for the day. A big thank you Sharma Ji! Hardik bhai is a champion volunteer. The Pathak family was preparing to go to India a couple of days later, yet Hardik bhai drove all the way from Mitcham, picked up Bharat bhai from Boronia and then drove to Stratford to drop him off. Hats off to your commitment and delivery Hardik Prabhu Ji! A big thank you Hardik bhai!
Bharat bhai and I drove back to the Bellbird Hotel. We resumed the walk to cover as much distance as possible before it got dark. After reaching Club Terrace, we called it a day and returned to Bellbird Hotel to stay the night. As soon as we pulled up, the owner came out to see what was going on. He told us that he had taken over the hotel four years earlier when it was completely run down. He had to renovate and refurbish the entire place to transform it into a proper business-like property. He also had a collection of pieces of art and rare motorcycles. It was an eye opener for us to see his wealth of collectables. In accordance with the owner’s instructions, we parked the van at the back of the hotel, and he left the backdoor unlocked for us to use the facilities throughout the night. A big thank you to the hotel owner for his support!
While Bharat bhai had never handled a large vehicle of the size of this van before, he quickly mastered the skills and became a confident support crew. Bharat bhai and I had dinner in the van, and I went to sleep. Being his first night in the van, Bharat bhai perhaps wasn’t very comfortable with the sleeping conditions. Nevertheless, he never complained about it and slowly fitted into the role for which he had accepted to volunteer. Hats off to you bhayia. A big thank you Bharat bhai!
Day 16: Monday 18 November 2024
Bharat bhai and I got ready and drove back to the point where we had walked to the previous day. I got off, paid my respect to Mother Earth to seek blessings and permission to walk upon Her. By now, it had become my daily routine to connect with the audience through YouTube at the start of the walk and share with the supporters of the walk where I was and where we were heading. Subsequently, we started the walk on the A1 Princes Hwy that had been with us from the start of the walk this year. After a couple of breaks for eating and resting for recovery, we continued to walk until we reached Cann River Caravan Park.
This Caravan Park is located next to the bridge over the Cann River. This camping facility is provided and maintained by the East Gippsland Shire free of cost. This place is reasonably clean, and it has separate male and female toilets and showers but only cold water. No hot water system is installed. The maximum stay at this camping ground is capped at 48 hours. We pulled into this park and parked on a level concrete slab to stay the night. For a good sleep in the van, it helps if the van could be parked on a level surface. We had dinner in the van while I waited for my body to cool down. I had a cold shower after many years. However, I didn’t have much choice as I had to wash down the sweaty and smelly drops that had soaked my clothes to the max. The trouble was that after the cold shower, I was too awake to fall asleep. So, I worked on my blogs for a while before falling asleep into the world of dreams.
Day 17: Tuesday 19 November 2024 Cann River to Genoa
Bharat bhai and I got ready and started the walk from the camping ground. I walked across the bridge over the river, into the town centre that has a bakery, a petrol station, a couple of other shops, and a motel-cum-pub. We followed the A1 Prices Hwy uphill, downhill and on the flat. We stopped for breakfast and a quick powernap to charge my batteries. When we resumed the walk, oversize loads on several trucks carrying large cabins like readymade flats and giant rolls passed us. After all this scary traffic, we were pleased to reach Genoa Camping Ground without any incident.
Genoa is located at the junction where A1 intersects with the road to Mallacoota. The camping ground is located right next to the Genoa river. It has a couple of tennis courts, children's playground, ladies and gents toilets but no showers at all. One could sponge-wash in the disabled toilet and that’s exactly what we ended up doing. This camping ground is home to several roosters and other birds who are so used to being surrounded by people. Roosters took turns in calling out to determine who calls were louder and who was the boss. They were smart enough to pose for photoshoots. A recently renovated beautiful pedestrian bridge over the river connects the camping ground to the township of Genoa. This town has a motel-cum-pub-cum-post office. The pub operates on the weekend only. While the opening of its post office dates back to 1888, according to 2021 census, Genoa has a population of 66. The town may not be big in size; but Genoa is an important junction between A1 Princes Hwy and Mallacoota and its camping ground remains very popular with tourists.
At Genoa, we met a family from Sydney who had been on the road since March this year and they intended to return home before Christmas. I also met Alice, a middle aged woman who against all odds, had not just survived serious health conditions including a stroke and cancer, but had turned around her life to take every challenge head on. With positive thinking, this brave soul had created a new meaning to life. After she was diagnosed with serious disease, and told that the chances of her survival were next to zero, Alice fought back with determination and won. Subsequently, Alice sold up everything she owned, got herself a caravan and a 4WD. She gave away most of her wealth. Now she just travels around Australia, sharing her positivity with people she meets and changing their outlook on life. After she found out about the walk that I was doing for the third consecutive year, she was very pleased and asked if she could hug me. Her hug was like a blessing to me. One could feel the positive vibes and the transmission of energy from one human being to another. She wished me well for the rest of the walk.
Bharat bhai is a very creative person who could make something out of nothing. He made very tasty sandwiches using chutneys, pickles, carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers. We both enjoyed the dinner and fell asleep.
Day 18: Wednesday 20 November 2024 Genoa to Mallacoota
Bharat bhai and I freshened up and got ready for the walk. We were told that the road to Mallacoota is a high-risk road for pedestrians as it has many hills and it has many blind curves. At many places, the road has no shoulder to walk on. I prayed to Mother Earth, touched my forehead and sought Her blessings to begin this morning’s walk. We tested the radio for two-way communication and started the walk. I connected the YouTube channel to share with the audience where we were and what we were doing. Subsequently, I started the walk.
After a couple of breaks for a quick bite and powernaps, we finally reached the famous destination of Mallacoota that is so favourite with tourists that many of them book for the next year in advance before they leave after holidaying in Mallacoota. We parked in the town centre and went for a coffee with some snacks. We then checked into the Shire run caravan park right at the seashore. We enjoyed being so close to the water, watching the sunset, listening to the birds twitching and singing the glory of the Creator.
At the designated place, where the fish was cleaned after catching it from the sea, a large family of pelicans had gathered in the hope that they would get to taste whatever the humans didn’t want. These fish cleaning counters/tables are clearly marked and they are designed to keep the place tidy and clean. In accordance with the rules, all wastage must be placed in the bins provided. For some reason, the family of pelicans communicate with its members and takes off towards the sea. It was a nice view against the Sun that was about to set.
Mallacoota has a petrol station with mechanical repairs while another station was under construction. The town has a pub, a bottle shop, a couple of bakeries, several cafeterias, take aways and restaurants. It has an IGA supermarket for all groceries, fruit and vegetables. Mallacoota also has a small airport just a few miles from the town. Every year this town attracts thousands of interstate as well as intrastate tourists and families especially during school holidays. Mallacoota is practically the last tourist destination in Eastern Victorian before crossing over into NSW.
We also had to wash our clothes and use the dryer. Bharat bhai once again made beautiful sandwiches for dinner, played the flute briefly and we went to sleep. Playing the flute must not be mistaken for music for sheer entertainment. The sound of flute when played from the bottom of your heart is so pure and soothing that it takes you into a different world and it has the potential to connect your soul to the Supreme Soul.
Day 19: Thursday 21 November 2024 Genoa to NSW Border
Bharat bhai and I got ready and drove back to Genoa to resume our walk towards the NSW border on the A1 Princes Hwy. We stopped near the turn off towards the camping ground. I paid my humble respect to Mother Earth, tested the two-way radio and started the walk. It was an uphill walk right from the beginning. I had to use the hiking poles from the start. As the body warmed up, it became a bit easier. We passed over the Goat Creek. I took a photo of the sign and shared it with Nina the Goat Lady who we had met a few days earlier near Orbost. She was so appreciative that I had taken a photo of it. She said, she had driven past it many times but couldn't stop to take a photo. “This was a nice present”, she said. Something she wanted to do for a long time but couldn't stop on the highway. I was happy that I could at least do something for the Goat Lady. These are small things that could make people happy and give them true happiness. It is the thought process behind doing something for someone else. One doesn’t have to engage in big things to make someone smile. Simple things could be more effective.
After crossing into NSW, we called it a day and returned to Mallacoota. If the Genoa camping ground had a shower facility, there would be no need for us to travel all the way to Mallacoota to stay the night. Anyway, we booked for another day at the same caravan park near the water. Bharat bhai played the flute before we had dinner. Listening to the flute is soothing not just for the ears, but also for the soul. Flute calms you down, reconnects your loose particles and makes you sleep better.
Day 20: Friday 22 November 2024 Rest Day
Today was pencilled in as a rest day to allow the body to recover from the rigorous walk through the tough terrains. After having breakfast, Bharat bhai and I walked around Mallacoota seashore and discovered beaches nearby. We also met a young couple from Western Australia who were walking their pet dog. It was nice talking with them and listening to their views about Mallacoota and life in general. We just took it easy for the day and relaxed, exactly what we were supposed to do on a rest day. We came to the town centre where Bharat bhai played the flute in public. We finished up with a coffee and lunch from a Chinese run takeaway opposite the IGA. We also got some groceries from the IGA. We stayed another night at the same caravan park. We had dinner in the van and went to sleep.
Day 21: Saturday 23 November 2024 NSW border to Kiah
Bharat bhai and I drove from Mallacoota back to starting point of this morning’s walk across the NSW border. I touched my forehead to the ground and after getting blessed from Mother Earth, started the day’s walk. After a couple of breaks, we continued past Kiah our destination for the day. Kiah is marked as a Petrol Station cum General Store on the A1 Princes highway that is very popular with truck drivers. Apart from this Roadhouse, there isn’t much else in Kiah. Thus, if you blink, you might miss it. In the afternoon, we turned around and drove back to Mallacoota.
The Shire run caravan park where we were staying didn’t provide on-site cabins. We booked a cabin for four people at a different caravan park because of the crew change over taking place this weekend. Bharat bhai and I checked into the caravan park and moved into the cabin. We had a cuppa with biscuits and the last bit of snacks that Bharat bhai’s wife Tanuja ben had kindly made for us. Everything she made was absolutely yummy. The quantity she made was so generous that most of the snacks lasted the whole week. A big thank you to Tanuja ben!
According to the agreed roster, Jagmohan Sharma Ji would take over from Bharat bhai. Gautam Garg, a young energetic family friend had kindly agreed to drive to Mallacoota to bring Sharma Ji and stay over. Sunday morning Gautam would take Bharat bhai back to Melbourne.
Gautam owns a real estate agency called Universal Real Estate in Craigieburn. Saturday is the busiest day for the real estate business, and he had several properties open for inspection on that day. Gautam and Sharma Ji left Craigieburn around 4:00 PM. We knew they would arrive around 9:30/10:00 PM.
Bharat bhai and I were waiting for them. While waiting for them to arrive, we had some tea with biscuits and snacks. I requested Bharat bhai to play the flute. He played many bhajans and songs based on classical ragas. I worked on my blogs. I called Sharma Ji and Gautam to check where they had reached and how their journey was going. We had sent them the exact location as well as the street address. We also told them not to have dinner until after reaching Mallacoota. It was getting late for our dinner time and we were feeling hungry. Bharat bhai made delicious sandwiches that we had for dinner. We went outside to guide them to the cabin when they arrived. We had some tea and Bharat bhai made more sandwiches for their dinner. Bharat bhai was very excited. After all he was going home after spending a week in the van. We enjoyed the evening and being together to spend some quality time. But we also knew that after such a long drive, Gautam and Sharma Ji would be exhausted. After showing them the facilities at the caravan park, we all went to sleep. All we could hear was someone else snoring. The fact was that we all snored but couldn't hear ourselves snore. Such is the human nature, isn’t it?
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