Albany fun

Trip Start Apr 24, 2006

108

Trip End Apr 24, 2007

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Flag of Australia Albany, Australia
Thursday, August 10, 2006

Being in Albany is almost overwhelming. There are so many cars on the streets and the plethora of shops and places to eat is so exciting! I can only imagine how crazy I will feel when I get to Perth . . . sensory overload!!!! The hostel I am staying at is really chill. It's a bunch of old buildings that had walls knocked out to make one hostel. As a result you have to twist and turn through it to find your way. On the walls are these amazing murals painted by backpackers passing through. I sleep in a room with fairies and butterflies painted on the ceiling, certain to bring good dreams I imagine :) Every night they have free coffee and cake and everyone staying in the hostel gathers around to chat about their day.

This morning I awoke early as I had a whale watching cruise booked. Pat the woman who runs the hostel had told me that there were heaps of whales hanging around and I was so excited

1. Pretty view

. I walk down to the dock and check out the boat. It's manned by two old, grizzled sailors. They welcome me aboard along with about 50 other people. Full boat today! We take off and immediately see a baby whale logging in the water of the harbor. Logging is when the whale just kind of floats on the surface of the water and looks like a log. We head over to see him. His not too interested in us so after a bit we head off again. As we putter on four dolphins pop over for a visit. One swims right beside the boat, like they show on the telly! I've never seen them do that before and it was quite exciting! After awhile the dolphins too get bored and drift off. Apparently we aren't too entertaining for them. After some more cruising around we come across two more whales playing in a sheltered bay. They stop and watch us as we approach. The captain reckons that they were two young adults and we interrupted their "private time". Oops. I suppose he was trying to show her the Southern Cross. Off we go again after several minutes watching them watch us. The deckhand serves up coffee and scones with jam and cream. I munch away and think Pearl would be impressed. The day is beautiful and I am happy as just sitting on board enjoying the cruise. We don't see anymore whales but that's ok with me. Still a wonderful morning.

After the cruise I wander around town, impulsively ducking into a barber shop and asking if they can fit me in. My hair has been getting too long and scraggly looking. Usually me getting my hair cut is a production as I am very cautious about who touches my hair. But now I don't care. It's so damaged from the sun and the wind that it needs to be chopped and I am so annoyed with it I don't care who cuts it. 20 minutes later I walk out. Almost 6 inches are gone, but my hair is still past my shoulders . . . this is a sign my hair was too long. I feel better and my head lighter immediately. What a great day!

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