Port Macquarie

Wednesday 27th til Friday 29th: I arrive in Port Macquarie at 01:25 am. My airbnb host offered to pick me up from the bus station, but I said I would first try getting an Uber or a cab, before getting her out of bed. Unfortunately no über or cab was available and my host was sleeping too tight and didn't hear my call. But a student, who had left the bus with me, was picked up by his mom and they gave me a lift. So nice! ❤️ They have a vegetarian take away in town, very yummy: Satwik Indian and vegetarian take away. When I got to my airbnb my host luckily woke up (with a little help from her dog) and let me in 😋. The next day, she showed me around the town and helped me with some shopping. In the evening I walked to the waterfront for a sunset. On Thursday I did a longer hike on the Costal Walk. It was wonderful! Great views, nice beaches and lovely people. Arriving at Lighthouse Beach I went for a swim. Or I should rather say a dip. The see here is very dangerous with strong waves and currents. Even when I just went in upto my knees, the water nearly knocked me over. After the dip, I was a bit late to get back to town and to the koala hospital, where they were going to do a feeding and a tour at 3pm. But luckily a lovely guy named Sam gave me a lift. At the koala hospital I was able to watch them getting fed and cared for. Of course, after the horrible bush fires in the region, they are struggling to handle all their little furry patients. But people are donating a lot, so they will start a breeding program and will expand their hospital. On my way back through the town I stumbled into a Christmas Parade. Decorated trucks, people (and dogs) in costumes and a band of bagpipe players... it seemed a bit strange to me, cause it reminded me of Karneval, but Christmas stile 😋. What was nice, was the extra loud cheering for the fire fighters, who also presented a decorated truck. True heros. After getting back to my airbnb, I cooked a nice dinner for my host and me. On Friday, I moved on to Bellingen.