Tasmania – the Land Down Unda the Land Down Unda. Jan 19 – 30 2019

On Jan 19 Kaija and I hopped The Spirit of  Tasmania High Speed ferry which delivered us to the port town Davenport,Tasmania. 

We had really been looking forward to our visit and it was great to see Bev waiting to collect us and begin our Tasmanian land tour adventure.  We knew the next in 11 days would be a bit of a blur as Bev had planned a lot to see and week and a half did not seem enough time to see it.

Our first stop was a wee town called Sheffield.  This place was an artist haven.  Nearly every building was colorfully covered with full wall murals by local artisans.    

What a treat it was to find ourselves sipping lattes and cappuccino, wandering lazily along the main street enjoying the colorful spectacle when our good friend Bev literally bumped into a long lost cousin she had not seen in years…a small world made smaller. 

After pleasant reunions and a short visit we hustled off heading south to Cradle mountain. This was a wonderful camping site and a chance to see Paddy Melons (wee Kangaroos)

Tasmanian Devils (they are not normally this easy to hold), 

 

an Echidna (an Australian egg laying spiny mammal), and ...

an Australian version of a Texas Long Horn Wooly Beasty kind of thing...

 our first siting of the last three mentioned.

We continued south camping at various camping sites along the way. Each one offering something unique and memorable.  

One in particular was fun as it was located by a fast flowing fresh water stream and real original Outback Bushman Prospectors panning for gold.  The weather was hot and perfect for swimming and having a bath. 

...and other than the flies (they were EVERYWHERE) but with our trusty fly nets they were still a nuisance but tolerable.

Life in the Tassie outback was Grande (thx to Bev and her Tiny Tin Tent (Ford Transit)...we had a blast.

The next point of interest was somewhat off the beaten path but worth the Journey.  The Wall in the Wilderness, created by Wood Carver extraordinaire Greg Duncan is made of 100 20 ft high panels of Huon Pine and spans 100 meters displayed beautifully inside a wonderfully designed wooden building also built by Greg.  The panels tell a story expressing the values and philosophies which identify being Australian.  Many of the panels are still in progress allowing the visitor to share in the process of development.  It is truly amazing to see how he brings actual life to wood, creating the illusion and texture of leather, horsehide, skin and cloth.  

 This is a must see if you visit Tasmania.  Unfortunately, no cameras, cellphones or video equipment are permitted in the exhibit. 

Our next stop was Hobart, the home of the finale of the Sydney to Hobart Race, the Wooden Boat Festival, the infamous Mona Museum and Mount Wellington.   

We would be remiss not to say something about the Mona…"Mona is the playground and megaphone of mega nerd and try-hard playboy David Walsh, who grew up in Tassie (just down the road from Mona), dropped out of Uni, played cards, won, did some other stuff, and opened a small museum of antiquities, to which NO ONE CAME.  He declared it a Triumph and decided to expand.  The result is Mona, a temple to secularism, rationalism, and talking crap about stuff you don't know much about."  It is certainly unique and different and in short, a Museum of old and new art of the wild and the wacky...take your pic.   

The Wall Entrance is a mirror designed by Mathew Harding in 2010, it certainly does wonders for the waist line and those feeling vertically challenged.  This museum covers almost every subject possible.  

 One exhibit I enjoyed was Seven Cigar-band instruments by Felipe Jesus Consalvos 1920-50.  

We also enjoyed the Chapel made from Rod Iron and Stained Glass, the results were breathtaking.  It was designed and crafted in 2010/11 by Belgian Conceptual Artist Wim Delvoye.

 There were exhibits from the ridiculous to the sublime…they were all interesting.  There was also the bizarre, some depicting a variety of anatomical body parts...perhaps a wee bit too graphic, certainly a little more than  provocative.  It could be said that this exhibit stretches the mind and requires a rather relaxed perception to fully appreciate.  But all in all, a rare medium, well done!

We enjoyed a fun day atop Mt Wellington with it’s 360 degree views…it was quite brisk with plenty of Southern Ocean breeze but the vistas were spectacular.

We departed Hobart and drove up the east coast of the island seeing many of the wonderful sites.  As our time was getting short we turned left inland and arrived in Scottsdale.   

This was our first siting of a Platapus and Kaija & Bev were ecstatic. 

It was also the final Sunday of the Australian Open and the Men’s Finals…which was not to be missed.  My mission was to find a place to watch it.  I lucked out at a local hotel with a sports bar.  Not only did they turn on the game, but at closing hour the game still on, they graciously provided a guest lounge with an even bigger screen and kitchen facilities for coffee to enjoy.  We had it all to ourselves. It was midnight when Roger Federer finally defended his title by beating Marin Cilic in 5 sets. 

It was almost as much fun as being there in our own private box.  All that remained was for us to turn out the lights and lock the door.

  

The next day we departed for Launceston Airport, said our fond farewells to Bev (thank you Bev for a wonderful time) and boarded a direct flight to Auckland  New Zealand.

We had a thoroughly great time in Tassie…and would recommend to anyone wishing to see the best of Australia, don’t miss it. 

Blue Mountains to Melbourne Jan 2018

Our good friend and sailing buddy, Bev Horton (Sv Kokoh), had invited us to join her in her tiny tin tent (Campervan) and travel with her thru the Blue Mountains to Melbourne. 

We previously visited her in 2015 and had such a wonderful time it was a no brainer and we were excited to see her again.  We took the train from Sydney and met her in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains.  

We would journey south to Melbourne where Kaija and I would spend a week enjoying the sights and sounds of the Australian Tennis Open. 

It was something I had always wished to see and despite my discomfort of being amidst large crowds did enjoy the terrific display of high level competitive tennis, albeit it was hot hot hot…with temperatures reaching into the 40’s (Celsius) on the courts it was amazing the players could even lift a racket let alone rally at the level of play they demonstrated. 

It was thrilling to watch one of the tennis greats, Roger Federer practice on the outer courts.  What can be said or written of this humble tennis great is probably not worth writing.  Needless to say despite being near the end of his prime...he is a true Master of the game and watching him is like watching silk flow over satin....smoooooth! 

As a lefty I have long enjoyed watching Rocket Rod...A True Tennis Legend. 

The Aussies have rightly Immortalized the Tennis Legend, Rod Laver.  The big house, or Grand Stadium is a shrine to his accomplishments and as a true living Legend those players fortunate enough to play their matches in this venue in his presence,were very fortunate.  

 

It had been a fun few days enjoying some world class matches but unfortunately our tickets were only for the first week of the Open and we had a ferry to catch to Tasmania.  I had already established that no matter where we were we would be watching the finals. I felt confident my favorite Roger Federer or lefty Rafa Nadal would be on court and with the Rocket in the house to witness, it would be an awesome spectacle. 

Melbourne is an architecturally beautiful city.  Modern but having retained it's sense of of style thru a combination of Nuevo and  Historically Classic designed buildings.

Our time in Melbourne was fun.  The people were friendly, the food was fantastic, the scenery was vibrant and the Tennis was AWESOME!