CAIT AROUND THE WORLD

March 31, 2023 — I don’t think I’ve ever felt relief as sweet as when I finally got off that Greyhound bus in Airlie Beach. If you missed the post where I detail the journey, check it out here.

I did, however, get some pretty decent sleep on the bus and for that reason I was somewhat coherent as I walked in the fresh morning air (sticky with heat, yes, but also nice and fresh compared to the filtered air of the bus) to my hostel. Actually, the heat was kind of a relief because I was feeling kind of run down and a bit shivery when I got off the bus. Whether that was from the chill of the air conditioning or my cold still hanging on, I’m not sure.

I was staying a fairly short 11-minute walk from the bus station, although anyone who has ever carried a backpacking backpack, a small backpack, and another bag will know that those eleven minutes can feel like an eternity. Thankfully, the walk to the hostel here wasn’t as tough as the walk to the hostel in Noosa had been. Still, I was relieved when I saw the YHA sign.

I walked up to reception and gave my name, telling them that I was checking in later that day and asking if I could leave my luggage in the meantime. I was able to tuck my bags into the storage area on a free section of floor and took out my swimsuit and towel, along with a few other essentials. The gentleman at reception also told me to come see him around 12:30 that afternoon as my room might be ready earlier. That was the best news I heard all morning.

The hostel had a pool and that, once I was changed, was the first port of call. I stepped in for a swim and was greeted by bath water. (Every pool past a certain point is incredibly warm; they can’t help it when they’re baking in the sun every day.) I swapped between a chair in the sun and the pool several times and then was able to snag a chair in the shade, which was actually kind of cold after a while!

When 12:30 rolled around I gathered my stuff and went back to reception where, happily, the gentleman informed me that my room was, in fact, ready, and handed me my key. I felt a deep relief when I walked into the cool air of the room. I changed into clothes and laid my suit and towel out to dry. I made the bed up and got comfy. Laying horizontal on a mattress is literally the best feeling in the world after spending a night on a bus, even though the seats do recline pretty well. I watched a few episodes of Modern Family and fell asleep from one to five-thirty in the evening.

I finally got out of bed and went to the bathroom, then walked downstairs to figure out some dinner. I’d been looking at options on Google Maps but nothing was really appealing. What I wanted was grilled chicken, potatoes, and vegetables, but I couldn’t find anything that really fit that bill. Instead of laying there and continuing to agonize over it, I decided to take a walk to Woolies and just see what I could find along the way, and otherwise I would just get something at the store.

I walked downtown and wound down to the blue water. It’s a beautiful area. I walked back up and found the entrance to Woolworths. I picked up some muffins for breakfast the next morning and — score! — found a roast chicken dinner for that night, plus picked up a can of soup for lunch some day.

I got back to the hostel and ate dinner, then headed back upstairs and got a load of laundry ready to throw in. I took it down and got it in the washer, then went back up to lay down again. When it was done I hung everything up to dry because I’d just used up my last $4 worth of coins.

I curled up in bed again and watched some more TV, eventually drifting off around nine thirty and sleeping until midnight. Got up and brushed my teeth and texted goodnight to everyone. Went back to bed.

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