Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
More Tassie-Mania
We ended our trip to the island with a tour around Port Arthur, famous for it's prison community for the second offender convicts being trucked over here from England in the early-mid 1800's. We took a creepy Ghost Tour in the dark into the old houses, the hospital, and the prison cells. What was better, the 3 glowing lanterns that were carried along as we walked, the tour guide in his long black coat that billowed as he walked down the hillside with us, or his accent??!!
All in all, a great trip. Pat assured me that he preferred it when I drove, Donna, so he could examine the Map 'O Tassie.
Did I mention we visited the town of Ross? It is famous for housing, back in convict time, the women's prison, which they called the Female Factory (!). It reminded me of Sonoma, very quaint, antique shops here and there, oh, and the hotel called, "Man 'O Ross Hotel."
Photos are coming soon to a blog near you . . .
All in all, a great trip. Pat assured me that he preferred it when I drove, Donna, so he could examine the Map 'O Tassie.
Did I mention we visited the town of Ross? It is famous for housing, back in convict time, the women's prison, which they called the Female Factory (!). It reminded me of Sonoma, very quaint, antique shops here and there, oh, and the hotel called, "Man 'O Ross Hotel."
Photos are coming soon to a blog near you . . .
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Tasmania-Mania
We're still trekking around down here - so this is a note from a verrry small library in southeast Tassie. What an amazing state. We arrived with backpacks and Youth Hostel cards and rented a bright red Kia Rio. Pat actually fits! All four of us fit, and there's even room for the bread and peanut butter and jelly jars!
We've road-tripped the entire loop of the island, going clockwise. Hobart, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, Launceston, Freycinet National Park, Port Arthur, and back out of Hobart tomorrow.
Every twenty minutes on the two lane "highway" the scenery changes from beautiful to more beautiful to beautifully interesting and back again. We've had times we felt we were in eastern Oregon, Napa Valley, France, west of Pinecrest, and Marin County. Yet we also saw a devastated area from copper mining. Almost everywhere are the eucalyptus trees.
It's unspoiled, unsophisticated, undeveloped, and unbelieveably great. Today we passed a farm that overlooks, all by itself, a perfect white sandy beach for miles. Just like that. We found it by going on a backroad, naturally, a la Pat Mollahan! We also passed two road signs that made me laugh: Break-Me-Neck Hill and Bust-Me-Gall Hill.
We hiked up in the Cradle Mountain National Park on a trail like Cleo's Bath X 15, all you Pinecrest-ies! Ross was our trail blazer. Yesterday we trekked again on a longer hike out the coast line to a perfect beach that is only accessible by foot or (little tiny fishing) boat.
We patted Tasmanian Devils! We also learned they have had a bum deal and that we all need to learn to love the little guys. They are really quite endearing - and endangered -, although we decided to not actually hug them . . .
After roughing it in our Youth Hostels making our picnic dinners each night, we splurged and ate out. I asked the receptionist where was the best fish and chips in town? (Town's population being about 340) "Oh, that'd be the Fish Van, right next to the hotel on the corner." I didn't remember any building next to the hotel on the corner. That's cuz I hadn't seen the Fish Van. He must drive his boat right into the harbor, walk the fish up the path into the back door of the Van. Then he pops it in the fryer for you and serves it up for $6.00. If you don't mind eating at the picnic table out front in a little sea wind and you love the simple life, this is the place for you. Please pass the squeeze bottle of vinegar! Mind you I'd been pricing fish and chips for days (when all prices are at least double anything in the states, be it food, pop, hotels, or shampoo), and had found nothing under $10.00 a basket, with most being $16.00. Don't you know how good a bargain feels when you're traveling? And then it's delicious??!
On that yummy note, we'll leave you for now!
We've road-tripped the entire loop of the island, going clockwise. Hobart, Strahan, Cradle Mountain, Launceston, Freycinet National Park, Port Arthur, and back out of Hobart tomorrow.
Every twenty minutes on the two lane "highway" the scenery changes from beautiful to more beautiful to beautifully interesting and back again. We've had times we felt we were in eastern Oregon, Napa Valley, France, west of Pinecrest, and Marin County. Yet we also saw a devastated area from copper mining. Almost everywhere are the eucalyptus trees.
It's unspoiled, unsophisticated, undeveloped, and unbelieveably great. Today we passed a farm that overlooks, all by itself, a perfect white sandy beach for miles. Just like that. We found it by going on a backroad, naturally, a la Pat Mollahan! We also passed two road signs that made me laugh: Break-Me-Neck Hill and Bust-Me-Gall Hill.
We hiked up in the Cradle Mountain National Park on a trail like Cleo's Bath X 15, all you Pinecrest-ies! Ross was our trail blazer. Yesterday we trekked again on a longer hike out the coast line to a perfect beach that is only accessible by foot or (little tiny fishing) boat.
We patted Tasmanian Devils! We also learned they have had a bum deal and that we all need to learn to love the little guys. They are really quite endearing - and endangered -, although we decided to not actually hug them . . .
After roughing it in our Youth Hostels making our picnic dinners each night, we splurged and ate out. I asked the receptionist where was the best fish and chips in town? (Town's population being about 340) "Oh, that'd be the Fish Van, right next to the hotel on the corner." I didn't remember any building next to the hotel on the corner. That's cuz I hadn't seen the Fish Van. He must drive his boat right into the harbor, walk the fish up the path into the back door of the Van. Then he pops it in the fryer for you and serves it up for $6.00. If you don't mind eating at the picnic table out front in a little sea wind and you love the simple life, this is the place for you. Please pass the squeeze bottle of vinegar! Mind you I'd been pricing fish and chips for days (when all prices are at least double anything in the states, be it food, pop, hotels, or shampoo), and had found nothing under $10.00 a basket, with most being $16.00. Don't you know how good a bargain feels when you're traveling? And then it's delicious??!
On that yummy note, we'll leave you for now!
Monday, January 11, 2010
To Do List This Week:
1. Go to classroom and meet teachers.
2. Buy car.
3. Go to lawn bowling.
4. Fly to Tasmania
2. Buy car.
3. Go to lawn bowling.
4. Fly to Tasmania
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Into the Rain Forest
Before you read anymore of this, please imagine the soundtrack I wish I could record for you right now. There is a symphony of birds from the many eucalyptus trees out back. They are calling, chirping, singing, chanting, and squawking, I suppose, but it sounds like the loveliest squawk you can think of.
Okay, so with my background music playing, I'll tell you about the rain forest! One hour from here, or 40 minutes farther than Ross' high school, is Dorrigo, a national park. Debbie and Graeme (our community sponsors, but really our wonderful new friends) took us up for the day of hiking and swimming in the nearby river (sharkless river . . .). We saw the stinging plants up close (the leaves are enormous and beautiful, just the kind you want to pick up and admire). Tarzan's vines hang all around. The plants grow in and amongst each other. One seed might land in the crotch of a tree's branches, sending roots down the long trunk to the earth, suffocating the tree over time and morphing into the seed's species.
Little skinks run about. Birds, birds, birds, birds. We all wish we were better at identifying them. Brush turkey hens were scratching about looking for a good nesting spot. We picniced with birds sitting right next to the peanut butter jar, hoping.
We walked out the Sky Walk, yes, I did it too. It is a platform 50-60 ft. up that is situated out over the treetops. I didn't have to climb a tree to get there, thank you my Liberty friends, but instead one can just calmly walk out and admire the incredible, hand-sweating heights. I'll add a photo of it soon. What you won't see in the photo is my sweet husband shaking the platform . . .
My hands are sweating now again; I get to go into the classroom in one hour with my principal and look around! And Pat and the kids are off to the beach.
p.s. We put Marc on the plane for Portland two days ago. He finally just landed(!!). Keep an eye/ear out for him back home, everyone, 'kay?
Okay, so with my background music playing, I'll tell you about the rain forest! One hour from here, or 40 minutes farther than Ross' high school, is Dorrigo, a national park. Debbie and Graeme (our community sponsors, but really our wonderful new friends) took us up for the day of hiking and swimming in the nearby river (sharkless river . . .). We saw the stinging plants up close (the leaves are enormous and beautiful, just the kind you want to pick up and admire). Tarzan's vines hang all around. The plants grow in and amongst each other. One seed might land in the crotch of a tree's branches, sending roots down the long trunk to the earth, suffocating the tree over time and morphing into the seed's species.
Little skinks run about. Birds, birds, birds, birds. We all wish we were better at identifying them. Brush turkey hens were scratching about looking for a good nesting spot. We picniced with birds sitting right next to the peanut butter jar, hoping.
We walked out the Sky Walk, yes, I did it too. It is a platform 50-60 ft. up that is situated out over the treetops. I didn't have to climb a tree to get there, thank you my Liberty friends, but instead one can just calmly walk out and admire the incredible, hand-sweating heights. I'll add a photo of it soon. What you won't see in the photo is my sweet husband shaking the platform . . .
My hands are sweating now again; I get to go into the classroom in one hour with my principal and look around! And Pat and the kids are off to the beach.
p.s. We put Marc on the plane for Portland two days ago. He finally just landed(!!). Keep an eye/ear out for him back home, everyone, 'kay?
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Of Fish and Caterpillars
Marc and Ross went Gar fishing last night with our new friend, Graeme. Ross caught his first fish right here in Australia after trying many times in Oregon unsuccessfully. They were all smiles walking in the door last night, of course. Graeme taught us how to debone and fillet these puppies, and I have to say, I hope he has to teach us how to debone and fillet every single different kind of fish in this country just to hear him repeat the word, "knife," over and over! Jerrie, you would have been proud!
As Graeme was leaving, we walked him to the front door and I noticed a little black caterpillar had made his way onto the front mat inside the house. I reached down to pick him up and scoot him outside, like you might do with a cute little fuzzy caterpillar any old day. Graeme said, "Oh, you don't want to touch the thing. Pick up the mat and shake it outside. Their secretions can be toxic and will sting a little." Okay. Poisonous snakes, Box Jellies, Bull Sharks out back, deadly spiders, even stinging plants (which we identified in the rain forest yesterday). But now toxic caterpillars???! I'll stick to hugging koalas!
As Graeme was leaving, we walked him to the front door and I noticed a little black caterpillar had made his way onto the front mat inside the house. I reached down to pick him up and scoot him outside, like you might do with a cute little fuzzy caterpillar any old day. Graeme said, "Oh, you don't want to touch the thing. Pick up the mat and shake it outside. Their secretions can be toxic and will sting a little." Okay. Poisonous snakes, Box Jellies, Bull Sharks out back, deadly spiders, even stinging plants (which we identified in the rain forest yesterday). But now toxic caterpillars???! I'll stick to hugging koalas!
Surfin' Aus-tral-yaah
We spent Monday at the beach nearby, Scott's Head, trying our hand at surfing. Let's just say it kicked our newly-Aussie behinds. We proudly prefer body boarding and lawn bowling at the nearby green! But we'll be back, waves, just you wait. After our sunburns subside and our egos renew themselves . . . Before the movies at the theater they run an advertisement that encourages using sunscreen, complete with graphic, very very graphic surgeries removing cancer spots and infected areas. It's no nonsense around here. Just Use It.
We also met more neighbors at a little get together. We found out who left the tomatoes on our back patio table while we were in Sydney, so sweet, thank you! - and that new neighbor across the street came in May and never cuts his grass - oh! I said I'd met him and we were wondering if we should cut it for him since it looked quite long and we'd be happy to but didn't want to seem like pushy Americans. The neighbors said, well, it took the Americans to walk over and meet the man so now everyone can know his name! Who knew?!
The most fun at these gatherings is learning the expressions Aussie's use and which ones mean something completely different. That's for another blog!
We're all loving our time over here, adjusting to the heat, humidity, left side of the road and various flora that we seem to be allergic to . . . It is summer, afterall!
We also met more neighbors at a little get together. We found out who left the tomatoes on our back patio table while we were in Sydney, so sweet, thank you! - and that new neighbor across the street came in May and never cuts his grass - oh! I said I'd met him and we were wondering if we should cut it for him since it looked quite long and we'd be happy to but didn't want to seem like pushy Americans. The neighbors said, well, it took the Americans to walk over and meet the man so now everyone can know his name! Who knew?!
The most fun at these gatherings is learning the expressions Aussie's use and which ones mean something completely different. That's for another blog!
We're all loving our time over here, adjusting to the heat, humidity, left side of the road and various flora that we seem to be allergic to . . . It is summer, afterall!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Koalas!
The highlight for all of us, I think it's safe to say, was petting and hugging the koala at the Koala Sanctuary. We all could not stop gazing, admiring, cooing, oohing and ahhing at these little guys. Apparently they are nocturnal, eat eucalyptus leaves all night, which are intoxicating, and then sleep it all off during the day. Somehow the keepers get them up during the day, though, to come cuddle with random tourists like us! I can't say enough about how enraptured we were, and I could never ever tire of these little ones.
The kangaroos are a bit less enchanting. Seeing them up close, laying around, scratching at the dirt, hopping slowly here or there, batting at a fly, somehow didn't hold the magic of the little koalas. Sorry roos!
p.s. Dingoes are totally cool!
The kangaroos are a bit less enchanting. Seeing them up close, laying around, scratching at the dirt, hopping slowly here or there, batting at a fly, somehow didn't hold the magic of the little koalas. Sorry roos!
p.s. Dingoes are totally cool!
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Year's Eve in Sydney
We drove to Sydney Thursday down the Pacific Highway, the equivolent to driving from Portland to Ashland on 99. It took 7 hours. But, we didn't know any different so it was all good! Oh, and on THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD!! Not only does one drive on the left, but the car is designed with everything on the left. So weird - wait, we've been teaching the kids to say, "So different!" So the rearview mirror is on the left (which means you have to look that way - I knew that . . . ), the gear shift is on the left, you get the idea. The family knows that back-seat driving is perfectly acceptable since the round-abouts and intersections take extra brain cells to navigate through, and the more heads, the better!! In Sydney it was particularly dicey, but we made it, and it was definitely a team effort!
We visited the Aquarium (home of a platypus and incredible sea horses, including one that looks exactly like floating sea weed, and a Sea Dragon of irredescent rainbow colors that looks like it's from a Pixar movie) and the Maritime Museum. Pat just finished reading Dixon's copy of Blue Latitude (thanks Marilyn!), by Tony Horwitz, who traced Cook's voyage on the Endeavor a few years back. Pat's wish for the day was to get aboard the Endeavor right there in the harbour.
On the afternoon ferry ride around the harbour, we saw the fireworks barge setting up for the night right out in the middle. Pete, you would have loved it. We watched the 9:00 fireworks from the ferry landing and then stayed on for the midnight celebration. I cannot describe the number of people, but I'll try. Imagine downtown Seattle closed off to cars for maybe an 8 block radius. Then put people like it's a Where's Waldo? picture. We were actually blocked in at the ferry landing, which meant we could have left, but no one else could come in. We decided it was an unanswered prayer, since we had a snack bar, restrooms, and security everywhere, to wait out the 5 hours right there! So as we looked up the street beyond "our gates," we saw the masses. But masses. Overall the crowd was happy and fun-loving. No hats and noise-makers, though. No one seems to do any of that here!
The fireworks exploded from the Harbour Bridge, from the barges, from the various suburbs. It was spectacular. As we left to catch our bus back to the hotel, the streets were a river of people flowing through the downtown. It was surreal!
We visited the Aquarium (home of a platypus and incredible sea horses, including one that looks exactly like floating sea weed, and a Sea Dragon of irredescent rainbow colors that looks like it's from a Pixar movie) and the Maritime Museum. Pat just finished reading Dixon's copy of Blue Latitude (thanks Marilyn!), by Tony Horwitz, who traced Cook's voyage on the Endeavor a few years back. Pat's wish for the day was to get aboard the Endeavor right there in the harbour.
On the afternoon ferry ride around the harbour, we saw the fireworks barge setting up for the night right out in the middle. Pete, you would have loved it. We watched the 9:00 fireworks from the ferry landing and then stayed on for the midnight celebration. I cannot describe the number of people, but I'll try. Imagine downtown Seattle closed off to cars for maybe an 8 block radius. Then put people like it's a Where's Waldo? picture. We were actually blocked in at the ferry landing, which meant we could have left, but no one else could come in. We decided it was an unanswered prayer, since we had a snack bar, restrooms, and security everywhere, to wait out the 5 hours right there! So as we looked up the street beyond "our gates," we saw the masses. But masses. Overall the crowd was happy and fun-loving. No hats and noise-makers, though. No one seems to do any of that here!
The fireworks exploded from the Harbour Bridge, from the barges, from the various suburbs. It was spectacular. As we left to catch our bus back to the hotel, the streets were a river of people flowing through the downtown. It was surreal!
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