Blogs from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, Oceania - page 35

Bass Strait, as I touched on in earlier entries, is a particularly nasty piece of work. Australia's southern coastline is a treacherous place at the best of times, but the Strait's tally of sunken ships is, perhaps, second to none in this part of the world. The first European to lay eyes on this stretch of water was Matthew Flinders (him again... - he appears to have given his name to most places in Australia) in 1798. He named the Strait after the ship's doctor aboard his vessel, one George Bass. The Strait owes its troublesome disposition to its position, bang in the so-called "Roaring Forties", the band around 40 degrees of latitude where vicious southwesterlies blow endlessly from the South Pole. Powerful currents circulate between the Southern Ocean and the Tasman Sea (which separates Australia ... read more

Hi folks! Thought we'd take a quick minute as we have some time to kill at the airport and send you off a quick note. I hope I'm not becoming an internet junkie!! but must admit that it's nice to be able to keep in touch (sort of) via the travelblog. It's been a fabulous day in Hobart - spent a great 90 min. sailing Hobart harbour in the Lady Nelson which is Tasmania's tall ship and a training ship for sailors. If I lived here I'd certainly be involved with her - she's a beauty and Dad and I had a wonderful time. I offered to help 'crew' - they pair you up with someone experienced and 'show you the ropes'. 'John' told me that every experienced sailor heads for the ropes that being loosened ... read more

We left Melbourne aiport at 7am on Thursday 26th of october with the three girls from mayo,we did not know what to expect when we arrived in Hobart none of us had done much research. so, we headed straight to the tourist office which was not very helpful at all and before we knew it we were renting a car and on the road to a famous prison called "port arthur" this is were all the gruesome convicts were sent they called them the rats they were sent over from england to serve out their scentence for stealing hens or horses minor things but , this place was hell on earth.While we were there Prince William Orange from the Netherlands graced us with his presence as we were on walking around the grounds.The next day, we ... read more

On Saturday September the 22nd, I departed Lismore and the Channon to Minyamai, land that was recovered by aboriginals. We spent through Monday listening to aboriginal stories, participating in traditions, visiting special lands, swimming in the ocean, etc., led by the Wilson family. Life is much more simple yet complicated. The trip shed much light on sustainable ways that natives have lived in areas that can teach western society great lessons. The most impotant thing I received from the trip was focusing on the idea that every person is just a "poor fella" and we are in a constant survival pursuit. Western society very often makes us feel as though we have an easy, carefree life, when, in actuality, we have become so detached from nature and reality that we would have no idea how to ... read more

We went to the Salamanca Market in Hobart which is just really really gorgeous, it has like 300 stalls from selling local crafts, clothes, fresh produce. There are different entertainment acts along the street, bands playing - a man spray painted silver , and just a really festy atmosphere. We then drove up north to a one horse town that looked as if it was literally still back in the 60s. We ended up staying the night in a little town south of Hobart called Snug! Was really cute though - just a little seaside town. ... read more