It is almost beyond words to describe the beauty of the rainforest. It is harder still to express how that beauty affected me. My reaction was almost physical--an intense serenity, an elated peacefulness poured through me, like cool water in a dry land. (13)
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This is it. This is the edge, where civilization runs out and wild is simply status quo. My spirit seemed to vibrate in sympathetic response to something in that wildness. I felt drawn to the innocence, the fierceness, the solitude. (47)
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As I clambered up and down that magnificent, shattered, chaotic landscape--towering, water-sculpted rock walls, fascinating plants, the sparkling river, dazzling scenery on all sides--munching on warm, tangy-sweet wild passion fruit, soaking up the gloriously brilliant sunlight, I could not help but think to myself, "I don't know what the rest of the world is doing right now, but it couldn't be this good." (121)
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Most interesting are the Darwinias, or Stirling Bells. Not only do they grow nowhere else in the world except the Stirling Range, but each of the seven varieties of Darwinia has its own mountain, growing nowhere else in the range...As I sped over the soft earth, the wind in my face, the colors crowding in around me, I felt fleeter and freer than I can ever remember. Such is the liberating quality of joy. (157)
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I have done the most amazing things--beyond what I ever imagined myself doing. Traveling across Victoria's legendary High Country on horseback was harder than I had dreamed, and more wonderful. The mountains were glorious, and the riding, exciting, though I suspect I ran through about a two years' supply of adrenaline. (250)
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I sat on a low, wooden bench, just to enjoy the view, but was soon interrupted by the gentle pressure of a wallaby's nose on my shoulder. Two wallabies stood, watching expectantly, batting long eyelashes, as I dug into my pockets for more treats. (See picture - 279)
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I began to unpack and settle in. In a fit of mostalgia, I put on my Snowy River hat and oilskins and stood wistfully in front of the full-length mirror. I have owned few pieces of clothing that were so evocative, that pleased me so completely as they. I love this look and what it represents. I took my riding gear off, put it in the closet and still smiling, went to bed. (315)
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I wondered again, as I have wondered before, why this place moves me so. I am drawn to the remoteness, to the vigor, the fierceness, and the unfettered innocence of this land, and its spirit whispers to my spirit, and its song sings in my veins. I don't know if this is cause or effect, but I do not need to know. I simply surrender myself to the pleasure of feeling it one more time. (438)
I have never made it to Australia, although it had been a dream of mine since I was young. Reading a travel diary was a new experience for me. In many places, I could imagine myself through Cynthia's eyes...these few quotes, in my heart, would be those that I would feel! Cynthia Clampitt indeed gave me a wonderful adventure!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Glenda. So glad I could "take you along" on my journey. I hope you ge to experience some of this yourself someday.
ReplyDeleteCynthia