Well it has so much to offer that as usual we could not possibly see everything suggested. We landed in Hobart (Slobart to the locals) and got ourselves settled. To our limited knowledge of the Aussie calendar it was a state holiday with the wooden boat show going on. Great, not so with just about everything closed, restaurants, bottle shops, pubs even.
Off we go down to the harbour and catch the end of the boat show on the water. We saw lots of beautiful wooden masted ships and plenty of replicas.
Hobart harbor
Now we made many a reference to the cost of food in Ireland in our last blog but we experienced the zenith in Tassie, Just as an example the highest cost for fish and chips was $30. OK, so you don’t have to tip and it comes with real cutlery, a salad and a napkin but really $30 for fish and chips in a country where seafood is so plentiful. Yet no one seemed to blink and eye for F&C at $23, average cost. We walked also around the area where the Salamanca market is held on Saturdays only.
After a short nap we took the car and started to look for a bottle shop and a restaurant. Found both in the same area but not much to write home about. Anyways as we got back into the car Pave’ noticed her credit card, which she had just used to pay for dinner with, was no longer in her hand or in her bag. Back to the bottle shop and restaurant, no luck at either place. Empty out her purse, turn it inside out littering the pavement with North American contaminants. Nope not there either. Look in the car under the seats, on the seats, beside the seats, in the trunk (why I don’t know but leave not stone unturned) and then break into a prolific sweat because Nada! Pave’ was certain it was the Russians lounging around outside the area where the car was parked that pilfered the card right out of her hand and she had the cut on her finger to prove it.
Skyped Visa and cancelled the card, got a new one sent to a destination in New Zealand (we hope), drink wine, try to sleep. OK we are in downtown where all the cross walks have sounds for the visually impaired which go from the slow single beep to the erratic beep on speed and we had one of these crossings right outside our window. Needless to say not a terrific sleep but the Internet was cheap so we caught up on pre-planning.
Decide to head north to Launceston as our next base rather than travel every day. Arrived later that day, Tuesday, and found our spot in Grindelwald, a faux Swiss village atmosphere. A swim and another rest (driving on the opposite side is a bit exhausting) dinner at the restaurant and small walk and prep for the next day. But wait where is the camera, not in my pack, not in Pave’s pack, cannot find it in the car but it is so dark I cannot see or feel anything. So that night’s sleep was a bit fitful. How much will a new camera cost, what kind can we find etc?
One more look in the car with more light and low and behold it was in the glove compartment.
Off to Launceston and the Cataract Gorge where we took the chairlift across the river which has the longest single span for a chairlift in the world (304 meters). Samantha and Pave’ took this little ride 25 years ago. “It seemed so big back then“. Now as chairlifts go don’t get excited that you are missing something dramatic because you aren’t but you do travel through a channel of giant rhododendron trees where your feet can brush the leaves. One way was 5 minutes and I think a slow boat to China is faster. Off we trek down one side of the gorge and enjoy the well fenced and paved pathway. We were going to take a boat trip up the gorge but we already saw it so cancel the boat. After we get to the bottom we have to get back up, well let’s take the trail up the other side. WARNING, HIKERS ONLY, pashaw we decide we can do it, besides who wants to go back the way you just came down. Well 20 sweaty minutes later we emerged from our foray on the Zigzag trail.
Cataract Gorge
Lunch time and off for our picnic, not a problem right, well no picnic tables to be found anywhere inside Launceston. So out of town scouting out picnic table sites. We almost got back to out hotel when we take a chance, shoot across the highway and actually find a spot by the highway at the wildlife sanctuary. Now back home being so close to the road would definitely not be a good idea but here with maybe 1 or 2 cars a minute we did not mind it. After our obligatory bottle of wine, with meat, cheese, bread, tomato and what ever else we picked up for our meal. Off we go for a self guided walking tour of Launceston, which as you can imagine was not without a few surprises.
That evening we drove into town to hear some music. Found a restaurant/pub with music at 9:00, shared a nice dinner and then went for a walk because we had about 45 minutes until the music began. On our return we were denied entry because we did not have closed toed shoes and then if we did go in they wanted to charge us a cover fee. Dang. Well back to faux Switzerland we go and end the evening.
Up and off on a well deserved wine tour. The first winery, CLOSED, the next winery was not open yet but as we turned around the owner drove and said the tasting shop would be open in 10 minutes. So up we drove and enjoyed the beauty of the scenery while the cellar door was opened up. Beautiful boutique wines so we purchased a Riesling. Onwards to more wineries, Closed, Closed, next one open with very nice champagne style wines, so nice they took more points than those “Frenchie” ones at competition, Pinot Grigio purchased. Off to find some provisions so we had to divert from the wine route. We found a pleasant location and ate in the car due to inclement weather. Found the last winery, Leaning Church, we had mapped out, Sauvignon Blanc, absolutely delicious.
Tassie evening
Back home and when we return there is a message to call about a found Visa card. Pave’ called but it was my card left behind at the LC winery. With no good maps off I go to retrieve the precious and necessary piece of plastic. Get across the river and the low fuel indicator lights up, OK use the small amount of cash have in my wallet. Not today because there are no gas stations along the cross country route I decide on taking and to boot I forgot my wallet back at the hotel when I changed shorts. Finally found the correct road and retrieved my card but the nearest gas station was maybe 30 to 40 km away. Well coasting down every hill and across any flat section I could I finally made it to a station that would take my card. Now is it possible for a 60 litre tank to take 61.5 litres.
The next day we headed back to Slobart via the east coast. What a stomach in the mouth trip at some points. Who needs the Mad Mouse now. Stopped at a brewery out on an amazing point overlooking the ocean for lunch as we came across no deli or bakery.
Finally found our accommodation which was definitely the low point of the trip so far. Everything was booked - except $300+/night. We ended up in a room with a bed above a very noisy pub. Well it had to happen sooner or later.
Saturday morning we head to Salamanca Market in a Vancouver type rain which did not let up while we were out. Again this had been somewhere Pave’ had wanted to return to. So sad in the pouring rain. .
Wet Salamanca market
We decided to go to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) which we discover has only been open a month. Absolutely amazing so find it on the net and enjoy. To boot it was free with the most incredible technology to let you know where you where and what you were viewing. Then enter your email and you get web access to the tour you took
This is really an exhibit not a person
Now you would think that we had our three mishaps, not so the hotel owners son was 30 Saturday night and the Private Function room was just below our room where the party went on until well after 3 in the morning. Thankfully we did have ear plugs that cut the noise in about half.
Up and off to Port Arthur where modern prison reforms were bring put into practice over a long period of years. Modern practices were segregation rather open ward type cells, solitary confinement rather than flogging. It was a change from physical deterrents to physiological deterrents.
A bit of Port Arthur,
A terrific drive down and back with a chance stop at a stop called Fish Lips for dinner. It was the best meal we have had in Australia, cooked by a couple of retired Finns who spend half the year in Tassie, and split the remainder in Finland and Queensland. Back to the hotel and prepare for our early morning departure to New Zealand.
Return the car and check in for our flight which was delayed. get some coffee, which we finally figure out how to order, and then through security were we wait again. the announcement eventually comes to begin boarding in about 10 minutes. Also get a text that a credit card was found in the rental car and if we return to the counter we can get it back. Out I go, retrieve Paved "lost" card and am back through security before boarding begins, A very small airport. And we begin our adventurous trip in New Zealand.
Tried to post videos but no luck this time
Regards AJ
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