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Where are those little devils

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Hello all,

I have been in Tasmania now for about a week and so far the scenery and animals are amazing.  I landed into the main city in the south called Hobart.  I spent 3 days at the central city backpackers in the downtown area.  It is a nice city but there is not a lot to do during the evenings and late night.  I took the first day to walk around and see some of the close sights and figure out how I was going to see this province.  By that evening I had most things figured out.  The next day (Friday) I did a boat tour to Port Arthur.  We took a bus to Eaglehawk Neck and then got on a boat that took us around some amazing cliffs called Devil’s Kitchen,Tasman Blowhole and Tasman Arch.  All of the Tasman references go back to an early explorer called Abel Tasman who found and inhabited a lot of the places here and in NZ including the naming of Tasmania.    Cape Huay had some remarkable rock formations including one rock that climbers fromRock formation at Cape Huay all over the world come to conquire.  It is very high and not very wide, they repel down the cliff opposite it and then climb up the rock face to the top (see picture).  after a 2 hour boat ride we made it into Port Arthur which was a convict settlement in the 1800’s.  They sent convicts here because it was near impossible to escape.  They did have jail walls but security was light because they had no where to go besides the ocean.  They set up a line of guard dogs at the other end and the convicts were stuck.  It was known as a very had life if you were sent there as the only form of punishment was lashings.  Most were lashed daily by other convicts and if you did not whip hard enough you were next in line.  Most were very abused and if you ended up in the phyco ward then it was real trouble.  They were forced to go to church every Sunday but they had to stand in what looked like little coffins and could see nothing but the preacher(again check the pic).  Port Arthur church for the convictsAfter touring around Port Arthur we were bussed back to Hobart for the evening.  Saturday was all about the outdoor market.  THe Salamanca market goes every Saturday and it was huge.  Live music all over the place and you could buy almost anything.  The fresh fruits and vegetables were definitely the highlight and I got some of the fruit for the next few days.  Sunday was going to be get away day but it all changed.  I had met 2 21 year old Danish girls (Emile & Lotte) on Thursday and we planned to rent a car and drive up the east coast together to save on costs.  The Tassie tours here are extremely expensive so it was cheaper to rent with some others.  I went to pick up the rental and they did not have my reservation done properly and thus no car available until Monday.  I went back and talked with the girls and they figured it would still be all right so we booked again and then pretty much wasted away the rest of Sunday.  Monday started much better as we got the car and started off towards the east coast.  We drove to the Freycinet National Park and took in the Cape Tourville Lighthouse and Sleepy bay which were each about 20 minute walks and well worth it.  We stayed in a town called Coles Bay for the night in a small backpackers/campground.  In the morning we were off to one of Tasmania’s highlights (Wineglass Bay).  Wineglass Bay in east TasmaniaWe did the 4 hour hike to the bay and back around a mountain to where the car was parked.  The water was crystal blue and obviously the bay was shaped like a wine glass.  The beach was white sand and the first thing we saw was a wallaby and were able to go right up to it and I pet it’s tail.  I am sure that some people feed them and that is why it was so tame but we also saw some at the car park and it was the same there.  After the hike we drove to a little town called Bicheno and an evening tour of penguins.  These little penguins go out to sea every morning for food and stay out all day until late then come in for shelter.  They waddle up the beach and to their homes and we were able to see it all.  Cute little buggers too. Penguins at Bicheno On Wednesday we continued up the east coast to St. Helens and what they call Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires.  This was rather disappointing as the rocks that form the bay are similar to what we had already seen in Sleepy Bay.  The orginal explorer did not go to the area because he thought it was on fire. We had planned to stay the night but were done so early we decided to go to Launceston instead.  Launceston is the other big city in Tassie with a whopping 100,000 residents.  The drive was crazy as it was only about 120km’s but had about 300 turns in the road.  I have never turned so much, imagine the last part of the drive into Golden and then do it for 120km’s.  The car brakes were also starting to scweel and making horrible sounds.  Launceston is where the girls planned to get off as they were flying out to Melbourne.  I got checked into a nice hostel called the Arthouse and again started to figure out whats next.  It did not take long before I met a Canadian girl (Meghan) from Vancouver and we were making plans for the west coast and back to Hobart.  I did some touring around on Thursday and Friday and checked out the city as well as the Cataract Gorge.  The gorge was really cool, it is where the north and south esk river join to make the Tamar river.  Cataract Gorge in Launceston, TasmaniaThere were several walks through out the gorge and I went for about 8km’s.  I got the car checked out and everything is okay just a minor issue.  Meghan and I will leave for the west part of Tasmania tomorrow (Saturday) and see what we can find.  I will continue to look for a Tasmanian Devil but there are not many left in the wild.  They have been infected by some disease and it is killing them off.  Unfortunately I have seen more dead wild life so far than alive.  The roads in the evening are full of wildlife mostly wallaby’s and tons are been killed. Hopefully the rest of the island has lessead animals and alot more live ones.

Until next time, everyone take care.

Steve

Goodbye to Sydney and hello Tasmania

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Sunset view from my roof top patio at the hostel in SydenyGrey nurse sharke in the Sydney AqauriumKoala at Wildlife centerHyde Park in SydneySt. Mary’s Cathedral, absolutely amazing. pic does not do it justiceSydney Library, this is a close as they would let me to the actual booksRoyal Australian Navy

After a week in Sydney and walking to almost every part of it, it is time to move on.  I did not buy the Pajero as I was out bid by another buyer, I bid 6500 and they got it for 7000.  I decided that I will go back to my original plan when I got into Oz and go to Tasmania.  I got a flight for $125 one way which is really cheap and I will hang there for a week or two.  From there I will go to Melbourne either by air or overnight ferry (not sure yet).

So let’s back track a bit an let you know what I have been up to.  After my first day i was totally excited about Sydney and it was everything I had hoped for and there is still lots to do.  As I said last time the Navy is in harbour to routines and the ships are been inspected.  On friday they had a big routine in the harbour and I caould see 17 different vessels at the same time.  They did a 21 gun salute and had a fly over with about 10 choppers.  It was really cool to watch.  From there I continued my walk and saw the parliment (provincal) building and decided to go watch. It ws alot smaller than in Edmonton and no one showed up.  There was a guy there talking about global warming but most of the seats were empty, government at work???  From there i went to the Sydney mint and a museum that was an old jail.  Also stopped at the Sydney Library which was not a familar place for me.  I spent some time at the St. Mary’s cathedral which was amazing.  the cathedral is huge and I went into the cript below where there was some amazing architecture.  The cathedral must have 15 different alters and the “ways of the cross” were stunning.  From there I made my way to the Queen Victoria building which is now a big mall full of expensive shops.  I looked around at some computer shops as well.  From there I made my way ot Darling Harbour and to the wildlife world to see some roos, koalas and snakes.  It was pretty cool but I can’t wait to see them in their natural environment.  It got pretty late by that point so I went back to the Opera house to see if I could get somw last minute tickets but it was completely sold out.  Walked back to the hostel and made supper and went to bed fairly early because I was tired from all the walking.    Saturday morning was a naval parade, I have never seen so many dressed in the prper whites, the street were full.  After the parade it didn’t take long for most to be huggung family and some went straight to the pubs in the area.  I went to the Aquarium and was impressed with all the marine life.  You name they had it and I ended up spending way longer than I thought I would.  I walked back thru Hyde park and had to sit there for a while because it was so nice.  Not a place to be at dark but during the day it is really nice.  When I got back to the hostel I had supper with my roommates and discused the vehicle.  They had another person interested and on Monday were all went to get the road worthy check done and then make bids on the vehicle.  Sunday was all about relaxing and I did some tanning on the rooftop patio and drank some rum.  Great day but I guess I should have made it to the beach (next time).  On monday it took all day to get the proper checks done and in the end as I said before I got out bid.  Monday evening we all had supper together and a few drinks.  Tuesday I decided that it was best to get back to my original plan and get to Tassie.  I went into downtown and bought myself a computer (netbook, small travel size) and then back to the hostel to source everything out. Within an hour I had my flight and hostel booked for Thursday and sent an email to Matt in Melbourne asking for his help in buying a vehicle in Melbourne.  Matt got back to me and it should be pretty easy to get something in Melbourne and cheaper than in Sydney.  Tuesday was spent getting everything ready to leave, updating the blog and downloading programs onto the new computer.  I can now make phone calls for free using skype and got a few other things done as well. 

After all that I still need to come back and do the rest of the things around Sydney, like Bondi Beach, Manly and the Blue Mountains, but i guess you can’t do evrything the first time.

That’s about it for what has happened in the last week.  If any of you has skype my skype name is “stevedietrich”.

Steve in Sydney, Australia

Thursday, March 12th, 2009
In front of the Sydney Opera Houseimg_0845.JPG[Continue reading this entry]

An amazing week with Philly, now bring on Australia!!!

Sunday, March 8th, 2009
Rugby game at Mt. Eden Auckland (Blues from Auckland vs Sharks from South Africa)[Continue reading this entry]

Sky Diving, yes I finally did it!!!!!

Monday, March 2nd, 2009
Another sky diving picSky diving in Taupo Well, I have finally did the sky dive I was hoping to get done at Christmas, but let ... [Continue reading this entry]