Royal National Park

Today I decided to go on a day hike to Sydney's Royal National Park. I took the train from Central to Cronulla, about an hour ride. Then the ferry takes you from Cronulla to Bundeena, the gateway town to RNP. When I arrived around lunchtime, I found the tiny little "visitor's center" which was actually a little cafe with a few brochures on the area. I grabbed one with a map and started walking. I went to Jibbon Beach, which is an aboriginal site. I took off my sneakers to walk along the water, and the views were very beautiful. I then came to the rock areas, which were absolutely breathtaking. I then began the hike into the actual park. Several years ago 95% of the park was ruined in fires, and it was evident walking through, since many of the trees were clearly still burnt. About two miles in, I turned a corner, and all of a sudden right in front of me on the trail was a man who looked to be about 45, completely naked. I did as any young female, walking alone in the middle of the woods would do-turned around and booked it back in the direction I came from. I made it back to the beach, but it was a very creepy encounter. I then went into the "town" and decided which cafe I was going to eat lunch at. I had three options. A nice man asked me if I needed help or advice on traveling around the area, since I looked deep in thought, but I just explained that I was deciding if I wanted to eat in shack #1, 2 or 3. I chose one and ordered a plain burger with cheese and tomato sauce. My burger came back, and it had "the lot" on it, including beets, tomatos, and an egg, along with all the other veggies. I took the egg off, and ate it, and it turned out to be quite delicious! I continued my hike, and ran into a girl who I had met on the ferry over, so we sat and talked for a while. She was from Austria, and had been traveling around the world for many years, and was now staying in the park for a week. After I left her, the skies turned black, so I went to catch the next ferry. All in all, it was a very interesting, but fun adventure. I will likely go back when I can do the two day 28 km coast to coast walk. Check out the pictures!