Around 7:15 am, my day began with plans to explore Rockhampton’s Botanical Gardens, Rockhampton Zoo, and Mount Archer. The atmosphere in my family’s home was relaxed, and they had prepared a delightful breakfast for me. The pace of things in this household after my arrival yesterday, was slow and easy, a welcome change after a week of rushing. I appreciated the opportunity to take things at a more leisurely pace. Typically, I would quickly grab something to eat and move on, but the unhurried breakfast allowed for a more enjoyable experience. Over the meal, my grandaunt shared stories about the family and Rockhampton residents, providing insights into uncle Albert, the children Vera, Chris, and Jan, and recounting memories of my mother and uncle’s visit almost a decade ago.
Rockhampton Zoo
Following breakfast, my grandaunt accompanied me to Rockhampton’s botanical gardens and zoo, conveniently situated just three kilometers from their residence. She suggested I give her a call when I was ready to be picked up, but I contemplated the idea of strolling back to their house through the park instead.
Escorted to the main kiosk by my aunt, I made a quick stop to acquire a map and grab a drink. Opting to explore the zoo first, I noticed the absence of other tourists in Rockhampton’s Botanical Gardens, likely due to it being a weekday. Following my visits to Singapore and Malaysia, this marked my third botanical garden exploration.
Another aspect I appreciated about this location was the lack of an entrance fee. While exploring the zoo, I came across what initially seemed to be a dog but upon closer inspection turned out to be a dingo. My uncle later warned me that they could be dangerous, emphasizing the importance of not feeding them if encountered in the wild—a precaution I had no intention of neglecting here in Australia, haha.
The zoo in Rockhampton was compact, and ongoing maintenance work was in progress. After spending 20 minutes at the zoo, I strolled back to the parking lot. I appreciated the zoo for its emptiness and lack of an entrance fee, making it feel like receiving a complimentary gift, especially in the absence of other visitors.
Rockhampton’s Botanical Gardens
Returning to the main road, I made my way back to the kiosk. Adjacent to the kiosk was the imposing obelisk, a war memorial statue, surrounded by scenic parks. Eventually, I reached the high obelisk, appreciating its presence as a war memorial statue within the park.
Circling the statue, I extended my walk through the gardens with a specific destination in mind—the Japanese gardens, renowned for their beauty and often chosen for wedding photos. Along the path, I encountered diverse flora, including bamboo, cacti, ferns, and palm trees. Upon reaching the Japanese gardens, I was captivated. Seating myself, I took a moment to rest, relishing the view. It dawned on me that this was my inaugural visit to an authentic Japanese garden, and I couldn’t help but lament not including Japan in my travel plans. The tranquil atmosphere and the soothing sounds of the waterfall added to the pleasure of the experience.
Hike to my Granduncle and -Aunt
Following a leisurely fifteen-minute interlude, I headed towards the lagoon, taking a right turn. The trail would guide me back to the highway, providing a straightforward route to the residence of my granduncle and aunt. The hike covered a distance of three kilometers.
Returning to the house, I joined my grandaunt and granduncle for lunch. Following the meal, I took a leisurely afternoon break. It happened to be my grandaunt’s birthday, although in Australia, they don’t particularly emphasize birthdays. Despite receiving several phone calls, the celebration remained low-key.
In the afternoon, I indulged in a brief nap before joining my grandaunt, granduncle, Daryl, and Vera for dinner. Later in the evening, Daryl and Vera arrived to extend their birthday wishes to my grandaunt. Despite the initial plan to explore Mount Archer that day, my grandaunt thoughtfully organized for Vera and Daryl to accompany me on the trip.
Mount Archer
Departing from the house, Vera took the wheel and drove us to the mountain in Rockhampton. Standing at a modest height of 800 meters, the journey became a nostalgic one as Vera and Daryl shared anecdotes from the time my mother was present. They recounted amusing stories, including one where my mother playfully sang a teasing song directed at my uncle, a tale that brought laughter to the group.
Ascending to the summit of Mount Archer, we found numerous houses dotting the landscape. However, the outlook at the top didn’t offer a satisfying view, prompting us to descend and make stops along the road. Our journey featured two pauses, each revealing breathtaking and incredible views.
The twilight painted a beautiful scene as I took in the sight. Daryl and Vera pointed out the location of my grandaunt and granduncle’s house, and I could see the lagoon from this vantage point. After spending 30 minutes there, we headed back. Engaging in more conversations, I called it a night around 10 pm. It had been a wonderful day, and meeting my family was truly enjoyable. Another adventure awaited me tomorrow.
