Koalas and the Kookaburra Cottage

Australia: Great Ocean Road. Amazing trip down the coast. Swam in the sea, sunrise on the beach; even saw koala bears in the wild & a startled kangaroo on the road.

Apollo Bay, Australia. After driving down from Melbourne yesterday, [name] and I have spent a glorious night at the Kookaburra Cottage just outside Apollo Bay. The cottage is everything you would hope for – overlooking the sea and in the shadow of a hill, where herds of Shetland ponies graze; a river running through and forests flanking; an 87 year old cockatoo called Cockadoolie, who says, ‘Watcha doin’?’ and ‘See ya later’; free roaming chickens and 3 cats (we also spotted a fox on the hill); beautiful wild cockatoos – white with bright yellow crests, and blue and white parakeets; wooden benches made of driftwood; all manner of artistic installations – crazy paving, pebble cairns, dream catchers, carvings, stained glass, old wagon wheels, rusty horse shoes and weather beaten saddles, not to mention all the luxuries of a log cabin with fireplace, Jacuzzi and gnarled wooden writing desk overlooking the ocean.

We were up in time for a sunrise stroll along the beach, after a deeply restful sleep, soothed by the rhythmic roar of the ocean waves and the crackle of the fire. The owner, a spritely woman with grey dreadlocks, has owned and built up the cottages over the past 30 years, with the help of her son and daughter. She told [name] (as they went down to the herb garden to collect fresh mint for her tea) that this is a place of healing. I don’t doubt it. I feel replenished after less than 24 hours.