You know those moments in life that are so beautiful you kind of can’t take it in, in the moment? It’s more an ‘after‘ the moment experience that allows you to fully digest it.
Well, recently I had a bunch of those moments for 7 days straight.
Last Sunday, at roughly 7:48am, I boarded a mini van with one of my bestest friends (Laura also), and 14 other curious souls, as we embarked on an adventure walking the Larapinta Trail in Alice Springs.
Packing the night before and scraping together active wear for this adventure was our style. Little thought and a bucket list load of trust that this just felt so RIGHT!
Here are some moments from the trail, too beautiful to digest instantly, which have stained my clothes (literally) and heart each day since.
Sleeping under the stars in a swag on Arrernte land was one of those moments. I recall waking up each night at roughly 2am, 3am, even 4,5,6am just to peak at the stars above, as they relocated and moved positions in the sky. If you took a photo of me, us, I’m sure we would have been sleeping with a smile.
The natural alarm of the sunrise wakes me from my broken slumber and I, we, 14 others start scratching around for our hiking gear, toothbrush and even mascara.
What?? You never know who you might meet in the outback.
We are greeted with a delicious breakfast served by knowledgeable and big hearted tour guides who are just as appreciative of the stars as we are.
Breakfast is served and all we had to do is receive, gratefully. Oh, and wash our plate.
We do. We eat. We giggle. We wash our plate and grab our gear as we race against the dry heat to commence our 8-14 km hike for the day.
7:45am, we arrive at the track and begin walking. A natural order takes place based on pace. There’s a combo of silence, heart chats and tunes. Whatever you feel is whatever you do. But what we all do in the sun, is walk and look up.
The flies have joined us as we pass through the West MacDonnell ranges, constantly reminded that we are in the outback and there is a supermarket of bush tucker which grows in this terrain.
The more you learn, the more you see. And the more you see, the more I felt the privilege of returning to the land and remembering my ‘ant size’ compared to its vastness. It’s humbling and soothing. A remembering of how little we actually need, to feel truly happy from the inside out. Beautiful people, nature, connection, water, bush tucker, music and walking. Oh yeah and maybe some hydralite, sunscreen and blister pads.
The simpler it got, the more I felt and the quieter life became- in a peaceful way.
It’s now lunch time, the flies are still with us. We receive again, this time a delicious lunch under the shade with an option of gluten free wraps. Thank you.
After a bus trip and rest back at camp, building friendships with strangers, it’s time to meet the heat with a swim.
Off we went to a delicious swimming gorge surrounding the Larapinta. Pinch. Another moment that’s too beautiful to digest. I look up and literally feel like I’m in a postcard. Maybe I am? I’m sure I’ve seen this advertised it’s that spectacular. I, we stroll out of the milky yet crystal clear spring water feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
The smile can’t get bigger as we find ourselves, all 20 of us, around a camp fire eating dinner with less flies and more lamb shanks. Receive again. Thank you.
Before we know it, the days activities have caught up with us and we crawl back into our swags, counting the stars, making some wishes and falling asleep, smiling.
You Wanna know what I wish for?
That I never ever forget how blissful simple is. It’s my souls love language. Whats yours?
Goodnight x
SimBLISSity 