Sonia's Coast Trip
Sunflower House provides group and 1:1 supports to our Members and on occasion have the pleasure of taking a Member on a much needed and anticipated holiday. Our Senior Mental Health Officer Sandra and Member Sonia had a beautiful time away recently. Here is their story….
It had been 15 years since Sonia had been to the beach for a holiday. So, having applied for and been granted a NDIA funded holiday she was able to start looking for a destination for that “getaway”.
Sonia chose Narooma and all that the surrounding area had to offer as her holiday destination. Accommodation was secured and preparations made, Sonia and Sandra left Wagga with tunes pumping and on their way towards Kiandra. A large herd of Brumbies were seen, a stallion, mares and two foals were enjoying breakfast not concerned about being photographed. Onto Kiandra for some Australian history, but wait… there was more to come…..the Big Trout at Adaminaby, the huge Elephant at Nimmitabel and then to the top of Browns Mountain. Then it was time to walk through a forest of massive gums, tree ferns and beautiful bush land. Sonia realised that she was walking through the area she had visited in visualisation sessions during Mindfulness at Sunflower House. As she said, “It’s just like I thought, it’s where you took us, the trees, the ferns, the air is incredible.”
Back in the car the intrepid travellers continued down the mountain and onto the first destination of Tilba, home of the Tilba Cheese Factory (much sampled and enjoyed), candles, hippie and craft shops.
The first sight of and visit to the beach, Mystery Bay, was greeted with a fast exit from the car, sandals off and Sonia was seen dashing across the sand to the water. Not even the lack of sunshine could detract from the time spent here. With our luggage in our lovely cabin, just over the sand dune from the beach, it was time to explore Narooma township. Walking along the board walk, fish and stingrays floated under us and seals played and waved their flippers at us from just off the breakwater. Cameras ran hot!!!
Next morning off to Mogo Zoo. Not even the rain could dampen the enthusiasm or excitement. During a chorus of gasps and squeals, otters, meerkats and lions were photographed. A female Golden Tamarind monkey with twins on her back and the baby Silver Gibbon won our hearts. It was incredible to be so close to them, but not as close as when passing the Tiger enclosure, where we were sprayed with water as he rushed out of his pool to be photographed! The sweetest animal of all was the Red Panda.
On the trip back more scenic detours of lakes and beaches, more Australian history and architecture, laughter and appreciation of all we had seen and experienced. There were times of relaxation - just listening to the waves. We saw the sun only once briefly, but the mindset was that it didn’t matter.
The whole trip, to and from Narooma and the surrounding areas was truly a great experience. Enjoying local produce, discovering history, relaxing and having encounters with wildlife, either in their natural environment or enclosures, really made Sonia’s Narooma getaway a time to feed the “body, mind and soul”.
Sonia said it was a trip that she won’t forget.
