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Published: March 10th 2006
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Melbourne at Sunset
Pretty good city, that Melbourne is. So actually I'm not in Sydney anymore, I'm back in Fairfax Virginia, but part of me still feels stuck in Australia so I'm not competely lying about the location.
My last few weeks in Australia were pretty damn good. After spending some more time in St. Kilda, I boarded a plane for Launceston which is just a little south of the main port in Tasmania (Devonport) and spent the day there trekking around Cataract Gorge, a really beautiful area with a 2 or so hour return walk that takes you to the first hydroelectricity plant in Taz. The landscape of Tasmania is very different then that of most Australia, a lot more rolling plains then Oz itself, and definetly a different feel down there, much more rural but in a strange way. Its hard to explain, but the main reason I went, other then the fact that its freaking TASMANIA, was because I had heard that the climate and atmosphere is very similar to that of New Zealand, which I was not going to be able to visit on this trip. Launceston is a very quiet town that closes down at about 5:30 pm, even on a Friday, so I
Cataract Gorge
1st of 2 Basins spent the rest of my time there just hanging out in the city park, before getting picked up by my hostel and going back to eat some indian food, then was up all night playing cards with an Irish couple (and drinking their generously donated beer).
That morning I was up and off on a 3-day east coast tour, which brought us first through a scenic mountain drive and stopping now and again to see some interesting sights, many of which have been left out. The first main spot was the Bay of Fires, which has been rated the worlds 2nd most beautiful beach by someone whos process of determination is not known. It was definetly a nice beach, and it was awesome to be back in the water and playing frisbee, although the wind was pretty powerful. That night we stayed at Bicheno, and the next morning we went to a wilderness park where I got to feed more kangaroos, pet a wombat, and see tha pictured tasmanaian devils, which I really wanted to see, especially since they were sleeping when I was at the Australia Zoo in January.
From there we went to Wineglass Bay, a
CANNONBALL
At the Bay of Fires, this is a 3 meter deep swimming hole. very popular destination in Tasmania, and then went off the beaten track a bit to climb a bunch of rocks and be just generally wowed by the landscapes. It was a pretty overcast day, but it was nice to be able to be physically active without sweating ourselves to death. By the end of the day it was downright cold though, and then started raining. Nonetheless I took a trip that night to see a bunch of fairy penquins coming in from the ocean and back to their nesting spot in Bicheno, although none of my pictures came out because we weren't supposd to use our flashes. The penquins were damn cute though.
The third day we went to Maria Island, which is an island that was turned into a National Park about 30 years ago and boasts a lot of wild wallabies, birds, beautiful beaches, and pretty forests. Since we didnt have much time to spend there we just kind of hung out on the main beach, playing cricket and rugby. A few others went snorkelling, but it was too freakin cold for me so I just sunbathed as I knew I wouldnt get many more chances to
Tazzy Devils
These things are VICIOUS! very subdued until tha feeder comes around n then all hell breaks loose...spittin n screamin and jumping all ovah tha place. do so. On the ferry back we were joined by about 20 dolphins, a real spectacle. The next day I took the Cadburry factory tour, one of the few locations you can actually take the tour is in Hobart despite the fact that there are lots of factories worldwide, got on a plane back to melbourne and crashed after picking my bass up from a friend.
The next day was a travel day to Wollongong by train and then coach. After a little confusion I finally met up with Kevin, a friend from back home going to Uni in Wollongong and caught up a bit that night. The next day I went out to Nan Tien, one of the biggest Buddhist temples in the world, for a couple hours just relaxing and doing a little meditation. The next day Kevin and I walked around the Botanic Gardens and ended up spending the friday night at home as Wollongong bars wanted ID, and I forgot to bring mine (since Id been travelling the country this was only the 2nd time I'd ever been asked for ID, and the first place had let me in anyway).
That Saturday, March 4th
Wineglass Bay
Very popular place to visit in Tazzy. My favorite part was climbing on tha closed trail was the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, so Kevin and I went into the city and met up with Abe again. The parade was a lot of fun, really good spirits and energy going on. I forgot my camera, but dont think I couldve adaquately taken a picture that really captured the vibe, and then Abe and I stayed out till late. Sunday we attempted goign surfing but got held up by Sydney public transportation, so did a Seafood BBQ at his place, and Monday we went out the Rocks for a little bar hopping after I spent the majority of the day running errands and buying souveniers.
Tuesday, March 7th was my last full day in OZ and it was a FULL ONE! Abe and I went surfing early that morning, I beat my thigh up with the fins on my board, then did some more souvenier shoping at Manly. After that I sped home to get my bass and tried to pawn it, only to find that despite tha fact that I was leaving the next day, I needed to be able to provide an official Australian address ID. Dissapointed, I ran to Bill Argh's Custom
Maria Island
Off the southeast coast of Tazmania Tattoo Shop, and after some last minute website searching, explained my design to the Tattoo artists. Basically I wanted a hand print, which I see as the first instance of humankind making a mark on the world, colored in the style of opal, which is Australias national gem. I found a picture of some Black Opal with beautiful red spots in it, which are my two favorite colors, and then made a handprint and got in the chair. That evening I met up with Abe for one last night on the town, and we went to Newtown and ate Thai food, exactly like we had my first night in Australia some 4 months ago.
Wednesday morning I awoke and got on a plane to Auckland, then to Los Angeles and then to Washington DC. While I was in transit for 29 hours, it was still Wednesday night when I got into my house here. After staying up to late, I crashed for about 14 hours.
Its a bit unreal to be back in the States after so much travelling, but I'm ready to be back here now. Australia has taught me a lot about myself and what I
Abe, Me and Kevin
3 american unitarian universalists in kings cross. want to do with my life, and while I love the country, I dont think that I would be completely content living over there. In a couple days I meet up with my family in Colorado for my 25th birthday, and then after that its time to get a job and pay the credit card off. Thanks much for keeping up with me as I bussed all around one very big, very awesome country, and for leaving your comments as I went. Now to arrange the house for a little get together this evening, and then onward to Colorado. Cheers!!
***apparently the map function isnt working. I didnt travel all that much, at least comparitively***
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Darla
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YAYAYAYAYAYA!!!
Welcome HOME!!! You were missed!! PS. I got the post card. Thanx.