07 May 2013

VALLEY OF THE GIANTS



(Photo courtesy of Owen)



(Photo courtesy of Owen)



There are the little things that I notice while traveling that markedly make each and every place unique – generally it’s the obvious aesthetics like the people themselves, the architecture, and of course there’s food, language and accents that help define the culture as well.  On occasion it’s the various modes of transportation, fashion, attitude and lifestyles of the people, and even the various smells of the city/town (believe me, you know when you're in Bangkok just by the smell!).  For me, Australia was most defined by aussie-isms, vast amounts of land, and it's flora and fauna. 

Nowhere in the world are many of the animals and plants that are all over Australia found anywhere else.  Besides being home to the top 10 most dangerous/poisonous, flat out scary animals/creatures in the world, it’s also home to some of the most gorgeous vegetation and landscapes, the most incredible creatures that are both terrifying and stunning at the same time.  And the sounds, the most interesting, unique, and beautiful sounds I have ever heard have come out of the birds that seem to procreate by the millions there.  Birds that in America, we can only find in an exotic pet store or at the zoo, but here, these rainbow-colored birds are sitting by the dozens if not hundreds in one tree – and then multiply that by 20 trees on a street corner.  I once heard a bird doing beat-box for about 5 minutes – I kid you not, beat box!  And yes, it was a wild bird, not one trained by a human.  I’ve heard birds doing trills and sing multiple notes simultaneously that I’m convinced no bird in America has the vocal box or capability of achieving.  It’s pretty magical to be walking alone through the woods or along the beach and to hear something that stops me in my tracks just to listen to them put on a little concert for me.  

Another thing I love about Australia are the vast amounts of raw land that lends itself to such serene moments with very little to no distractions of people, buildings, or noise pollution.  There’s so much space there – it’s like a new frontier!  Owen and I were outside of Walpole at the Valley of the Giants where these massive, old-growth Karri, Tingle, and red Tingle trees towered over us.  Walking along a 40-meter high suspension bridge we mingled with the trees and had a great birds-eye perspective of the forest below.  Luckily, not many tourists were there so we walked at our own pace, slowly taking in the sheer height at which we were walking (this walk is not for the faint of heart) but also to just feel a bit closer to the trees and really get a good look at them.  I loved being up there, on these bridges, with the ocean breeze coming through, smelling the freshly rained upon earth, and just listen to the wind blowing through the trees and birds chirping away.  Moments like those are truly breath taking and now transport me back to such fond memories communing with nature and having someone special there to experience it with.

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