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Archive for October, 2004

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Tasmania Part 1: Hobart + The East Coast

Saturday, October 30th, 2004

Leaving Sydney proved to be slightly more stressful than I’d planned. Despite a 10:00 flight (an entirely civilized time to be flying) and the fact that the Kostrevskis live a mere 10 minute drive (under normal traffic) from the airport, I still JUST arrived in time to check in. This was due to a combination of a late rise and bad rush-hour traffic.

But in the end all was well. I arrived 28 minutes before the flight was due to depart (not the mandated 30) and even if the flight hadn’t been delayed by a half hour or so, I still would have made it on board.

My (very inexpensive) flight was on Virgin Blue, my first experience with any of Richard Branson’s airlines, and I liked what I saw. While meals and drinks weren’t provided, just as on North American discount airlines, the attitude was entirely different. They made the odd joke over the PA system, chatted with the passengers, and just generally seemed to be having fun while flying.

Hobart’s airport was surprisingly small for a state capital, and I had no difficulty finding the shuttle bus into town (the driver actually took the destination of each passenger and dropped us off at the door.)
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First Days in Australia: Sydney

Sunday, October 17th, 2004

My trip to Australia began with arrival in Sydney following the three hour flight from Auckland. First activities after disembarking were short wait to collect my bag and a less short trip through customs and quarantine inspections (Australia is one of only three stops in my itenerary that required a visa in advance, and the country takes serious measures to avoid importation of foreign pests.)

After completing entry formalities, I went to have a seat in the arrivals lounge (my flight had got in a bit early) and had barely sat down when I was met by George, one of my hosts in Sydney, along with his wife Faye, their daughter Kirsten and mother and father Peter and Vlasa. A few years ago while I was dating Faye’s sister, Kate, George, Faye and the yet-to-be-born Kirsten had stayed at my house in Toronto for a few weeks, and they were overjoyed to have a chance to return the favour.

After the merely warm weather in Christchurch, the 33 degree blast of heat awaiting me in Sydney came as something of a shock, but no matter. In no time, we’d driven back to the air conditioned comfort of George’s parents’ in the Sydney suburb of Bexley.
[read on]

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A Quick Kiwi Conclusion (Dunedin and Christchurch)

Tuesday, October 12th, 2004
After my trip down southwards, I began to realize that I didn't have all that much time in New Zealand. Indeed, as I woke up in Te Anau, I noticed that I actually had only four days left before ... [Continue reading this entry]

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Up (as in to the mountains) and Down (as in south)

Saturday, October 9th, 2004
Last you all heard, I was in Greymouth, near the north end of New Zealand's west coast, preparing to head south. Before departing Greymouth, I had some important business to take care of. First, I had to re-write my 'blog ... [Continue reading this entry]

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Further Tramping Tales: The Heaphy Track

Sunday, October 3rd, 2004
Arriving in Takaka following my tramp on the Abel Tasman Coast Track, I figured I deserved a bit of rest before starting out on the Heaphy, a longer and (reputedly) slightly harder track. My rest took the form of two and ... [Continue reading this entry]

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