Advertisement
Published: June 10th 2009
Edit Blog Post
04:30 ZULU TIME SOMEWHERE ON AN ISLAND IN THE PACIFIC A TAXI DRIVER WITH THE CODE NAME "THE CONDUCTOR" ARRIVES AT HIS DESTINATION TO PICK UP PASSENGERS UNKNOWN.....
Always wanted to start something like that. So 4:30 am is quite early but that is when our taxi to the Sydney airport arrives and our Tasmanian adventure begins.
We arrive at the airport early and I sense that their may be some bitterness amongst all present, to my crazy desire to get to the every airport early or even very early...however, after some coffee and food this feeling subsides.
We arrived in Hobart and our driver (let us call him Steve for this narrative) went to fetch the rental car while we waited for the bags. Should have been relatively quick considering it was a small plane in a small airport. It wasn't! Small airport must also equal small baggage handlers.
Finally on the road with a mix of directions on different technological devices and 20 mins of driving later, four highly educated people haven't left the airport parking area. After finally realizing the crux of the problem was the INTERNET LIED, I hope I am not banned
for life for saying this out in the open. Our directions were trying to send us on a thru road that didn't actually go thru.
A few more U-turns and local highway driving and we made it to our cottage. Total driving time for us 50 minutes. Actual driving time had we known the way, 5 minutes. These truly are the adventures that make up life and I would rather be lost with good friends and loved ones than know where I am but be alone. (MUSHY PHILOSOPHY OVER)
Beautiful cottage with 22 geese roaming around, surrounded by horse farms, 2 cute puppies and a fridge stocked with breakfast food.
We wandered the famous Salamanca market in downtown Hobart looking at the local crafts and dodging the intermittent rain. Eating some rather tasty Brautwurst and then went in search of wineries. Because of timing and the long weekend we only made it to 2 wineries. We aptly sampled the wares and bought some local vino and beer for our weekend.
The next day we went off in search of the great history in Hobart, CONVICTS AND MEN OF ILL REPUTE. Port Arthur prison and historical site.
Had a nice day for walking around the site and 3 of us caught a fleeting glimpse of the elusive Tasmanian devil, we think.
The tour was made all the better by superb pronunciation and vocal stylings of ALEX THE TOUR BOAT OPERATOR.
Had a very relaxing night in front of the fire with more local beers and wines. Australia really is a lesson in promotion of local products.
Monday started with a lazy morning packing the car, including some bottles from the recycling pile so the cottage owners would think we drank less than we did. We drove into the hills for some hiking and hilltop views of Hobart. The mantra for the walk became "turn off the wipe out tap in your brain" because the hike was quite slippery from rain and forest debris. After lunch in the harbor and some driving around city it was back to the airport and home.
SIGNING OFF IN THE PACIFIC TILL NEXT TIME.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.26s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 11; qc: 46; dbt: 0.0713s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Lor
non-member comment
Too funny!
By far your best blog update! Made me laugh out loud at work a couple of times. Love the pics and the commentary. Keep 'em coming. Love you both!