Amidst summer haze, bush fires and cyclones, we welcomed the new year in the land Down Under, changed plans, got astray and back on track to the most exciting road trip we have ever experienced.
Western Australia is a region of many beauties, changing landscape and tremendous distances. And of course, many animals. BUT our first day on the road was not exactly the right kind of exciting.
“In 250 kilometers …continue straight“- chimed in the navigation system
It was 2-3 hours after we had left Perth airport and the car rental behind us and we had hit some country roads towards the dream of every Instagrammer – the Wave Rock.
Yes – we are talking about a rock in the shape of a wave. Cool, right?
We had a great plan and some provisions left so we had ignored the few farms we passed by at the beginning of the country road. I was deeply regretting this at that point.
We were driving and driving with almost no sign of life to be seen. Our water was almost over, my eyes strained from staring in the endless road and we had only sweets.
I am not sure how Pavel managed to drive without falling asleep after the brutally early start from Adelaide to Perth, but I was constantly dosing off.
There were even no animals crossing the road to watch out for.
We did stop occasionally, but the temperature outside was over 35 and surely felt like 40+ in this dry land.
And then we saw the sign!
“Yes, coffee” – I foolishly exclaimed
We reached a sleepy deserted-looking parking lot at the entrance of the Hyden National Park. It was just us and two other cars.
No Café or any other refreshments were available, but we refilled all out bottles from the slowly dripping tap.
The Wave Rock and the other formations around were truly remarkable, but we quickly realized this is probably the low season for the area. It was hot and dry.
We climbed up the Rock to explore the area and avoid the group of Asian tourists that had just arrived and occupied various spots of the Wave for photos and personal drone videos.
A shocking view revolved in front of our eyes – beyond the strip of short bush-like trees on the horizon, there was a vast area that had obviously been burned down most probably in a previous bushfire season.
I am not sure if you could imagine what a completely burned down field looks like, but it was like a view of one of these post-apocalyptic movies.
Never have I ever 