The splendid lake Mc Kenzie
Relaxed in lake Mc Kenzie
Changing our flat tire
Flying the kite on the long beach of the eastern coast
Our camping site behind the beach
The group unpacks to set camp
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We embark on the ferry by setting our car in 4 wheel drive and locking the front wheels to have more power in the sand. We head straight to lake Mc Kenzie, famous for its clear waters. The sand track is full of bumps obviously, and the back of the car is very shaken. When things are calmer, we observe the magnificent vegetation, which changes often. The big gumtrees of all kinds and colors are a splendid scenery. It is even more so the case of the lake, as white sand surrounds it and gives its edges a very visual turquoise color. The fresh water is hot and transparent - it is a fabulous swim. As we head back to the car, we realise one of the rear tires is flat. The whole team gets to work to change it and we manage to leave, but we change our plans to try to get it repaired. After an hour, we reach the east coast in Eurong, having been through very interesting vegetation. Eurong has tar roads, houses and shops, as it is a village outside the natural park. The mecanic can not be reached, so we continue our way to find a place to camp. Damien inaugurates driving on the beach: the 4x4 shows all its power to race forward - the feeling of speed is strong. At each creek coming from the land, we slow down to avoid splasing the paint with water and sand, but it happens once still. The signs forbidding camping are spread out along the beach - we get close to one to check what is written on it and get somewhat stuck in the sand. GuillaumeL takes over, switches to Low 4 wheel drive to get even more power in front and gets the car out. Later, back near Eurong, we see several tents and look for an isolated site nearby. We find a beautiful site nested behind a dune separating us from the long sandy beach. As Guillaume points out looking towards the ocean, the next shore is thousands of kilometers from us in South America. We set up the tents. Everyone does a different workshop: assembling, reparing the zipper, sewing, then preparing dinner. Meanwhile, Damien takes his kite out and shares his experience with us. We hardly swim though, as the sea can be dangerous, in particular because of tiger sharks who fancy these fresh waters with strong currents where plancton gathers and therefore fish as well. In any case, the place is magnificent, and the setting sun gives it flattering colors. Night has fallen, we have a drink perched on the dune where we spread out a cover, and which separates our tents from the beach's wind. Fresh beer, peanuts and cashew nuts, sardines, help us wait for beef and fresh pesto pasta prepared by GuillaumeL and Quentin. We drink all this with Claret, a nice little red wine in a cardboard box as glass is forbidden on the island. The relaxation is complete thanks to the good dinner, the permanent view and the sound of the constant waves. Conversation and laughs are naturally there, as sleep edges in. A good melon ends the meal and I head back to my tent.
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OzNY01 