Triabunna, Tassie: Sun, a warm 20, wind, always wind:-)

Bay of Fires and Wine Glass Bay Tramps:

Warning: if it's winter where you live, look away!

Well, I did warn you...and yet perhaps you chose to read on. You do so at your peril because today was absolutely stunning and perhaps Tassie at its best! It started early with some local pals who joined us for breakfast...they'll pretty much eat anything down here.

Followed by a short, early morning drive to the Bay of Fires where locals had told us we would be very pleased that we had taken the drive. They were of course correct...that local knowledge thing. Besides, Julie had explained to us that this was a must see.

The beach runs quite a ways north and is home to aboriginal burial grounds and much of it remains in their possession. Seems fair as it's stunning!

It's called The Bay of Fire because of the special red/orange growth on the rocks...

Not just because of these three beautiful dogs!

A few more photos...

After we'd had our fill of walking here, it was back in our rolling home and into town for supplies and on southward. More beautiful white sand beaches...told you not to look;-)

We arrived at our interim destination at noon and headed off for the stiff tramp up, over and down into Wine Glass Bay (also at Julie's insistence). In 2009, Lonely Planet selected this beach as the global destination beach of the year. Truly spectacular and something of a challenge to get to...

But well worth the effort,

Sorry, couldn't help myself...old habits you know.

In the distance...there it is.

The most interesting rock formations and massive, massive granitic boulders.

It was like the giants in Jack and the Bean Stock decided to toss boulders!

Any way, back to the destination...last chance to look away!

Looking out to the Tasman Sea...nothing until the south tip of Pategonia in South America. We just sat there and contemplated that idea for a time...on the travel list for sure! 

There were people walking the trail in and out, but when you arrive at this beach, you'd hardly know it. We pretty much had it to ourselves. Tassie is so under touristed and this makes it so very appealing to us and others who make the extra effort to come here.

Peter and Dave, at the end of the long climb out you can just guess what the Princess did. Yup, she lounged...just like in Spain! But no drink in her hand?

Then it was further south along the coast...to our campsite.

Fish and chips from a truck tonight! Saves on dishes and it was a change from all the healthy food we have been eating.

Managed to choke it down with a good bottle of Aussie Chardonnay! Well worth the trouble. Chocolate chip cookies for desert, but not as good as yours Mom!

Tomorrow an early boat to this island, where we will send the day cycling in Maria National Park and looking for the local wildlife and fossils! No cars allowed on the island which will be refreshing. We aren't cycling to the top of that hill...800m. 

Having a great time! How could we not? 

Wifi in Tassie Sucks!

It's so bad here that I can't post anything very much, and certainly no photos. Will try again tomorrow in Hobart and hopefully I'll have some luck. Best to all.
Geoff and Annemarie

Cradle Mountain National Park, Tasmania, Wet, Cool, 16. 42* South Latitude

Finally!

After a very early flight yesterday morning we arrived in Australia to bright sun and a transfer at Melbourne Airport to Hobart.

First sight of Australia...

On the flight over to Hobart we met a lovely lady named Julie who at the end of our hour long chat, presented us with her address and phone number and told us to not be shy and to plan to stay with her when we return to Hobart this Sunday. I'm always surprised by the kindness of strangers when we travel...very touching and such a wonderful way to meet new people and learn about where they live!

We secured our new pony at the airport and found our way into Hobart to arrange a new SIM card for our phone, purchase supplies and to generally get our domestic chores done. That took the rest of the afternoon and after a very late, but good lunch, we hit the road up to a small town called New Newport where we had learned there was a decent caravan park along the river. I think we were the last to get a spot there and as I'd managed to sleep on the flight from NZ I pointed Annemarie in the direction of the showers while I organized our newest home and made dinner. She was so tired!!

Comes with its own lizard too!

A bit classier inside...

After a chilly, but refreshing sleep, no doubt helped along by a nice Aussie Pinot Gris, we were up early and on our way heading to the west coast...specifically Queenstown. The town was originated to support the copper mining in the area in the late 1800's and was a great lunch stop and place to wander for a while.

The off again along the beautifully winding roads. We stopped to see the "Wall" a place where a fellow has been wall carving for the past 5 years. Quite amazing as he is literally putting together a full size carved wall inside a very long shed. The carving of people, carts, horses, animals and items from the 1800's is amazing in its detail and craft. Unfortunately, no photos permitted, but Gord Smmons, you would be very impressed I'm sure!

We also stopped in the National park at a number of places, but the weather wasn't at its best so we took shore walks and a few photos.

On the highway we were stuck behind a slow truck for a very long way late in the day, but when we caught up at a work stoppage site I was able to snap a photo of his cargo...

He was carting bee hives...with live bees flying all over the place! 

They were all over our caravan when we stopped and he didn't seem too concerned, but then again, bees can fly a great distance to find their hives. We'd noticed hives along the road in many places where there was no agricultural activity and wondered why. Now we have our answer. Each hive weighs close to 45kgs when full of honey, so he must have had quite the load on his truck!

We are now sitting in the lodge at Cradle Valley National Park in front of a huge fire borrowing their internet...paying for it actually! We will stay in the government campsite tonight in the rain and if the weather is good we will go for an amazing walk tomorrow. If not we will press for the northeast coast area and then work our way down towards Hobart. We will do this even if we take a walking day.

Saw lots of critters today, but most of them were unfortunately sleeping on the road. However, we did see a wombat cross in front of us and I snapped his photo...and we saw two wallabies hop across in front of us in the campground...no photo.

Lyttleton: Sunny, 26

The Bridle Trail:

Today we decided that we'd had enough of walking through endless miles of damaged buildings and disrupted lives (we walked the east side of town all afternoon...depressing) and that what we needed was a good walk in the countryside on our last full day in NZ! So we of course slept in for the first time on the trip, and then after an unusual breakfast of chicken, toast, pineapple and tomatoes (clearing out all our left over food!) we caught a bus to Lyttelton which is located on the Banks Peninsula. This area is a massive ancient volcano, no less. Lyttelton is a quaint little sea port where unprocessed logs are loaded onto ships to presumably be sent onwards to China and SE Asia. 

Of course this areas landfill water front was badly damaged by the earthquake as well, so we had to pass by a number of damaged buildings yet again as we made our way through town to the start of the trail. 

The trail we walked today isn't particularly long, but it is a bit steep and has all sorts of history. This was the route that the pioneers used in the 1850's to cross over the volcanic rim and into the caldera where there is a beautiful natural harbour.

If you look at how these folks are dressed and keep this in mind as you view my photos, it will perhaps be a bit more impressive. Life is so much easier now!

We were told that the route suffered some slide damage during the quake, but for the most part, things were pretty straight forward as we climbed the rim.

It was a beautiful day to walk up and once at the top we traversed along the rim road.

We enjoyed the views out towards Christchurch and the Cantebury Plains. You can see why the earthquake did so much damage with the energy rebounding back and forth over the old swamp area between the mountainous areas.

A nice tramp down...

Then it was back into town and we found a few more bits of wall art on the walk back to our place. A brilliant peice about melting penguins and global warming...

And another...

And another!

Tomorrow at 4:15am our host will take us to the airport for our flight to Hobart via Melbourne, and thus will end our excellent NZ adventure! It was a surprisingly good experience given I had no real expectations and I'd heard that NZ is so much like the part of Canada where we reside. I think it's safe to say that I'm glad I didn't miss it. As is our custom, we will discuss our experiences and the pros and cons over dinner tonight given we ate our dinner food at breakfast! I'll leave you with a few photos from the botanical gardens...