This Saturday I slept in until 6:30 a.m. - a treat from my usual 5 a.m. weekday mornings - threw on a maxi dress and set off to Cronulla beach, located about an hour train ride south of Sydney.
On my way out the door, rushing to catch the bus, I took a moment and quickly pondered whether or not to bring my hat and sunglasses. Usually as much of a staple to my ensemble as my phone and credit card, the weather forecast stated it would be cool and rainy, thus deeming the items unnecessary. It can be a bit of a hassle to lug around many things, especially on a long hike, so I made the whimsical decision to leave them home. Needless to say I am writing this blog post among the adversity of feeling needle-like pain on every inch of my skin. I have learned the hard way to never underestimate the power of the Australian sun!
Arriving at Cronulla had a different feel than previous beaches I have visited; it seemed to be more of a local spot than the tourist-heavy population I have previously encountered. Surfers were abundant, either in the water catching waves or taking a break under tents with barbecues, eating hot dogs, lamb, steaks, and other meals to rejuvenate their energy for the next round.
I believe Cronulla has a feminine appearance, featuring light sand decorated with white seagulls wandering about, crisp blue ocean water creating the quiet, peaceful sound of waves. Its quietness and simple, natural beauty make Cronulla a place I would like to live, if I were to settle down in Sydney.
I easily spotted the walking trail - the pavement featured clear markings to remind hikers to walk on the left side of the path, which was helpful.
As I was mosying along, allowing my mind to sync with the ocean waves, shielding the blinding sun with the back of my hand, I spotted a lookout point where people could stand on an elevated area to view the beach in its entirety. I noticed the path didn't lead to the point; rather, after a short stretch of grass, sand led the way to the lookout. Concerned about getting dirt inside my shoes, therefore making it uncomfortable to hike, I decided the risk would be worth the reward and embarked onto the grass portion. Suddenly I heard a loud, panicked scream of a surfer - especially alarming as those are not a surfer's general characteristics - "WATCH THE SNAKE!!!!" I froze, mid-step, wobbling as I tried to catch my balance, unsure of where to place my right foot that was floating in the air. Following where the surfer was pointing, I spotting the snake a few feet away, slithering along in the midst of a public beach like he owned the place. I slowly backed up until I was once again cement-bound. "Sorry to scare you, but I think that's a fairly dangerous one." The man chuckeled as he headed - on the path - towards the ocean. A quick Google search led me to discover that I had just encountered a Red Belly Black Snake, and "Its venom is capable of causing significant morbidity." Below is the picture I took once I had returned to the safety of the path, and a picture from the Australia Zoo's website to get a better view.
I noticed the irony how, while I was most worried about wandering through the sand, the grass is what really could have killed me. Food for thought.
Nevertheless, I stood on the path for several minutes, eager to experience the viewpoint but now worried about what lurked in the grass. Watching as person after person successfully made their way to the lookout, my resolve strengthened and, taking slow, intentional steps, I finally made it to the point.
The end of the path featured giant sand dunes that doubled as an off leash dog park, and an amazing exercise opportunity. I pondered the idea of running up and down the sand, as I spotted a few women attempting, but I realized - especially as I was traveling alone - there would be no one to dial 000, the national emergency number, during my attempt to make it to the top. I figured I would stick to the path.
After the hike I stopped off at a restaurant and ordered a yummy lunch time sandwich. An elderly couple sat beside me, and we naturally got to chatting. They were interested to hear how I created my life in Australia and I was eager to hear about their travels to Africa. We had an excellent conversation, the kind of dialogue that allows a traveler to say they have "Met some interesting people." I eventually set off back towards the beach to sit in tranquility for a short while before catching the train back home.
Another great day in paradise!
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