A Prelude to my Twenties

by Joshua Botting (New Zealand)

A leap into the unknown Australia

As I strolled along one of Hamilton Island’s palm-tree lanes, I wondered what a birthday really meant to me. I was turning 20, and I didn't want another night that would be forgotten. That happened on my 19th - I woke up with a head full of bees and $200 dollars that had miraculously vanished. I wanted something more meaningful. I wanted something… intrepid. The idea of a 'vision quest' struck me. I pictured myself sneaking into the jungle alone, finding a wild kind of bliss away from all the resort pools and cocktails. Scanning a map of the island on a brochure I had plucked from the local store, I scouted the perfect destination. Escape Beach. I could cocoon myself there for the night, and wake in paradise as a prelude to my twenties. Set on the plan, I arranged the necessities in short order, and was out the door quicker than daylight. A crimson sun was melting on the horizon when I reached the edge of the resort, and the jungle hummed in the twilight. Adventure beckoned. Distant laughter from the beach club faded behind me as I entered the wilderness; swallowed by the unknown. The trail snaked through the thicket, beneath a tangled canopy. Shadows grew heavier by the minute, and kookaburra’s watched from trees as I plunged deeper into the wild. It was 11:00 PM when I buried my feet into the sand of Escape Beach, embracing solitude. Laying beneath the stars, I could hardly wait for the morning; to being awoken by the jungle choir, and seeing the beach in all its glory. Snuggling into the sand, I pulled over my blanket. But sleep never came. I rolled around in the sand, trying to relax, scratching my feet again. Again? My legs and feet were .. so .. itchy. I grabbed my phone and flashed the light. I was being eaten alive! Hundreds of sandflies bounced around in glee, relishing the smorgasbord I had laid upon their kingdom. Terror gripped me as I maniacally attacked back, ridding the menaces and scratching furiously. The dream of an idyllic beach getaway quickly became a nightmare. What on Earth was I doing there? I squirmed about, slapping and scratching my bare skin for what felt like an eternity. Sleep was impossible… I had no insect-repellant. Why did I not think this through? This is the Australian wilderness! I couldn’t just perish there, all alone. I needed to escape Escape beach. Shining light on my map of the island, I decided to trek to Passage Peak - the island’s highest point. My last resort. The deeper darkness of the jungle loomed threateningly, but I had no choice. Swallowing my fear, I headed back into the jungle. I felt like an abandoned stranger, creeping through the night. Occasionally, a birds distant cry haunted the silence. "It’s an adventure…" I told myself again, trying to settle my jitters. Thankfully, the trail to Passage Peak was straightforward. When the corners of the sky brightened, I could feel hope blossoming. But just as I reached the stairway to Passage Peak, a rustling nearby startled me. I froze, adrenaline pulsing. A man came crashing through the bushes! “Hello,” he said, as if we were at the marina cafe. He had a rugged, bushman appearance, and yet, a presence that sent my fears scurrying away. “Hi…You were camping out here too?” I asked, incredulous. “Yeah. In the bushes over there,” he replied, gesturing nonchalantly behind him. We began ascending Passage Peak together, and I narrated my night of torment. His name was Josiah, and he listened to my story, amused. Just before summiting Passage Peak, he leaped onto a boulder beside the path. “Follow me,” he said. I clambered up the boulder after Josiah, and followed him to a ledge overlooking the immense canvas of ocean and sky. “Happy birthday brother!” Josiah said with a smile as wide as the vista. “This is my secret place.” A few moments later, the sun peeked over the horizon, and then came bursting into view, bringing life, bringing salvation. I didn’t even realise that I was laughing until I stopped. My twenties had begun. And I wasn’t alone after all!