The Great Ocean Road is a scenic drive and a road trip that many takes when visiting Melbourne; famously known for its gorgeous view of the ocean visible along the coastline which makes up this stretch.
We have been traveling inland since we departed from the main city of Melbourne, through the towns of Geelong and Colac which connects the coastal towns making up the scenes along the Great Ocean Road.
Traveling through the inner towns; Geelong and Colac (though not less popular due to their strategic role as the connecting towns to the coastal shoreline) presented a series of pictures filled with plains and trees appearing intermittently as though they were painted in that lovely countryside portrait.
It is like a traveling postcard flipping through; one after another as these lovely scenes of nature pop up along our drive.
We soon arrived at one of the points on the coastline of the Great Ocean Road.
Gloomy weather and dark clouds outline the skies; creating an atmosphere that was rather downcast as it hovers over the charming town of Port Campbell upon our arrival.
However the town; decorated by the cheerful colors of the shops, inns, cafes and local cottages seem determined to outdo the weather in correcting that perception to present a warm hue synonymous with an endearing and welcoming impression to those entering the town.
There is just that resilience and beauty of hospitality felt in this sweet town made up of a population of less than a thousand.
They may be outnumbered in their population compared to the big cities, but Port Campbell town is definitely not inferior in their own allure and stands proud on their grounds.
Port Campbell town is just that first impression and this is certainly an important coastal town with its close proximity to the much celebrated Twelve Apostles; a highly coveted tourist spot, which is just 12 kilometres to the east side of this town, along with a few other attractions in the vicinity; mainly the Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps and also a platform for the London Bridge (on the brink of breakdown).
As such, Port Campbell Town has welcomed much attention from the local and international tourists passing through the town on their way to the scenic points dotted along the Great Ocean Road and had risen as one of the key tourist attractions or rather, a vacation spot due to its depiction as a seaside town.
Much of that is definitely credited to its strategic location on the Great Ocean Road itself; sandwiched (sort of) between Warnambool and Lavers Hill.
The town's past is traced back to the 1870s, marked by the establishment of their very first wharf in 1880 and the opening of the Post Office in 1874.
When the new Port Campbell office was completed next to the wharf in the following year(1881) after the wharf's launch, the town was renamed to Port Campbell West.
The town is only one part of Port Campbell; which is home to the Port Campbell National Park, boasting of sharp rocky cliffs jutting across the various points overlooking the grand ocean while lined with the capitvating sandy beaches along its bay.
The Port Campbell National Park is also within the vicinity and is only a short distance from the town.
One of the attractive and obvious features of the Port Campbell town is the inlet of water gathered within its enclosure of the Port Campbell National Park, forming the scenic Port Campbell Bay.
The part of it that runs through the centre of the town is simply staring at visitors and it is almost impossible to miss that picture of gushing water up against the boulders which forms the attention-seeking foreshore.
Port Campbell Foreshore
There is also a beach area and jetty along the bay as well, and all one needs to do is to partake in a Discovery Walk to 'discover' more about the bay area.
As it was rainy weather when I was there, you'd bet that the rough sounds from the strong waves fiercely beating against the huge rocks which sends the seagulls shrieking in alarm is not something I could ever miss.
It was a totally different experience and it sends a chill down my spine; in a literal meaning.
It was chilling definitely, due to the dip in the temperature especially with the early signs of a light storm about to head the town's way and the winds were strong in its might, blowing in the direction of the town where light cloths, flags and objects were flapping in their resistance against the wind.
I made use of a lightweight umbrella, sheltering myself against the rain but the wind just had a different idea.
My umbrella was flapping the whole time and while balancing it against the wind, it seemed like I was doing some sort of ridiculous jig and it was a little embarrassing at first (although there was no one looking at all).
However, it was soon apparent that the wind was just being friendly and I found myself enjoying that little tango with the wind as it leads me in its direction.
It was fun; with the wind tugging at my umbrella and me holding on to it which lead to me occasionally being kissed by the soft drops of the rain.
Then I let it go, bobbing my umbrella in the direction the wind wants to lead and it was happiness.
It made me laugh; the wind was just so playful and the rain was its accomplice and it was then I realized, I was literally dancing with the wind and the rain!
It was beautiful, and the best part was that my lovely photographer caught me in action (Thank you!)
Growing up, we always held that umbrella up to shelter against the sun and the rain because simply they could make us sick, of course, with overexposure.
(If you lived in my part of Southeast Asia, you'd know how strong the sun is and the might of the monsoon rain which has just gotten mightier in recent years).
The rain is always deemed as the crook; the usual suspect nailed for every sickness that ever befall a child or anyone for that matter; mainly cold and fever as the culprits.
The sun, on the other hand, is equally the foe as well, though painted in a more harmonious manner as it is portrayed as the savior of gloomy weathers and literally sunshine just means happiness with it bringing light to the world.
Well, I am never a big fan of the sun though I do welcome the sunshine occasionally (when it's too cold and dreary for too long, in our monsoon seasons and in the cold winter days when I am outside my country).
Sunshine does literally bring happiness, but if you think that it is only sunshine that can bring joy, then you are wrong.
Those who think that sunshine bring happiness, has obviously never danced with or in the rain!
I can now testify that this saying is true, from my very own experience, captured for my memory forever, here in Port Campbell town.
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