Ella

Hi everyone,

I contemplated whether or not to write today. Unfortunately we had some very sad news today - my Nan passed away at approximately 4pm Melbourne time, 11.30am for us. But then I thought about it, and Nan would have wanted me to still write the blog, summarise my day and let it out.

Just before I get started on what we did today, I want to dedicate today's post to my wonderful Nan. She was the most kind, resilient and modest person I have ever known. The last few years in particular have been really hard for her being in so much pain all of the time and living at the aged care facility, so in between feeling upset I am taking comfort in the fact that she is no longer in pain. However, we will miss her so much. She made all of our lives better just by being her. She always knew just what to say in life's happy moments and sad moments. When she was able to, she lived life to the full and travelled extensively. This blog was originally started as a way for her and Pa to log on to their computer and feel like they were with me on my travels. Every time I go away she has always said "don't you dare come home if anything happens to me!". So Mum and I are staying on, continuing to explore, and taking comfort from the fact that we have visited Nan and Pa very regularly. The last time I visited was Monday 4th April. I gave her three hugs before I left, told her how much I loved her and how much she means to me. As far as goodbyes go, that was a pretty good one. I hope she knew how much she meant to me, and what an important part of my life she has been.

Nan hated being the centre of attention, so I'll jump in to what we did today now. This morning we met at 8am and headed off as a group to Little Adam's Peak. This is a short hike to a few nice viewpoints. On the way, we saw a man charming a cobra with a flute (yes, a real cobra!) and a beautiful looking pool club. Once we got to the top, we didn't have much of a view as the cloud rolled in. Never mind, we have had other nice views on our trip.

Mum, Hazel, Rob and I descended more quickly than others in our group, so we made our own way to Nine Arch Bridge to meet the group. Despite Google Maps telling me the route was "mostly flat", it was not! We had a slippery, hilly descent. Mum had a small fall but was thankfully OK, and we made it eventually.

Built in 1921, the Nine Arch Bridge is part of the railway line we travelled on yesterday, but is in the section past Ella. The British originally intended to build it before WWI, but ended up needing the steel required for the war effort. The bridge was therefore completed with stone and cement in 1921. It is 30m high and 90m long, and has nine arches (funny that!!). Today it is an Instagrammer's delight - tourists and locals alike come to enjoy the picturesque scenery and see trains cross the bridge. It was really beautiful, but seeing people climbing/standing/lifting their small children onto the edge was hard to watch and really freaked us out.

It was here that our day started to unravel. Firstly, my phone slipped into a different pocket of my bag. For five minutes I thought it had been stolen, and I started to worry because I have been saving some of my favourite photos of Nan in the last few days for Mum and I to look at. Thankfully, I found it in my bag. However, then Mum and I were waiting for the train to come and cross the bridge. Five minutes before it arrived, Mum and I both started to feel ill simultaneously, we went pale white. We had to race to the toilet, and I won't detail what happened next!! Mum improved a little faster than me, but as the train arrived and we clapped eyes on it, I had to run off again and wasn't very good at all. Luckily some tour mates captured some nice photos and I was happy I got to see it initially.

After a cold drink, we started to walk back slowly with our group. It was at this point that Mum got the phone call about Nan. We aren't usually the types to believe in the universe working in mysterious ways, but we keep commenting how strange it was that we got hit with this horrible feeling both together at the same time, which passed within half an hour for both of us. It was like the universe was trying to tell us something sad was happening. I had been telling Nan about the train and how beautiful it looks crossing the bridge two weeks ago when I visited, I hope she somehow knew that that's where we were.

Once we got back to our hotel, our tour mates were fabulous. They all gave us a hug and told us how sorry they were. We have such a beautiful group - every single person on this tour is just lovely, we all look out for each other. Our guide too.

Mum and I had a rest and a bit of a debrief, and then went back to Cafe Chill where we shared a sandwich, some juices, and lots of memories of Nan. There were lots of tourists on the top level enjoying lunch as well. Apparently Ella was a tiny hamlet until 'Lonely Planet' mentioned the Nine Arch Bridge, and this is why it has become such a big tourist destination in the last 20 years.

We then headed back to the hotel, grabbed our things, and then decided to go for a walk to clear our heads. We were lucky because the rain mostly held off. We walked uphill to a different section of Ella, where my friend Roshane owns a resort. Unfortunately due to the circumstances the last three years, the resort has been closed. I had let him know we would check it out and see how it looked. Things were very overgrown as sadly Roshane has had to leave the resort closed for now, but we could see the charm the place had instantly. It had a beautiful view and was nestled amongst lots of greenery, with a view of a nearby waterfall on the walk to it. In a few years, when you visit Ella, make sure you book 'Ella Alpine Resort' and support Roshane.

The walk was nice, we walked partway along the railway line (no trains) and heard a Mr Whippy tune, but were disappointed as a tuk tuk selling bread and not ice cream approached. We also heard a noise at one point that sounded very much like an elephant. The mosquitoes must have known we were having a hard day - we forgot to put repellent on and neither of us suffered even one bite.

When we got back to the hotel, Viviane, Carmel, Rob, Darsh, Carlos and Hazel were all enjoying a drink at the restaurant. We joined them and all raised a toast to Nan.

Tonight we are going out for dinner with the same group as above. Tomorrow we head to Yala National Park to (hopefully) see leopards on safari. I highly doubt I will have reception there, so will likely write my next post in two days.

Love to all
Claire
Xoxox

PS: Special shoutout to my cousin's wife Kristie who Mum has just spoken with while I'm typing this. She is staying overnight in the room with Pa so if he wakes up he is not alone. That is so beautiful and really warms both of our hearts.