More Tassie Travels

We explored the Tasman Peninsula and visited the World Heritage site of Port Arthur on an overcast and cool day.  This is where many of the convicts, young and old, were sent to do their time for often trivial crimes of the day - like stealing bread.  Quite a moving site and very well preserved.    The peninsula is also known as a refuge for Tasmanian Devils and in keeping with our record the only ones we saw were on signs. 

A four hour drive north along the eastern coast took us through wine regions and more stunning views of ocean and coves to an region called Bay of Fires- the rocks are coverd in a reddish lichen. Each vista was like another postcard image - and there was hardly anyone on these gorgeous beaches.  We were told it would be too cold to swim but the last day we had in the area was perfect swimming weather for Canucks and although it was fresh it was by no means cold. Swimming is a misnomer - I should say we played in the waves.  

Vineyards and olive trees - two of my favourite things 

Bay of Fires

Deserted beaches. 

We went for a short hike along a trail that has Tassie's highest waterfall, which due to the drought wasn't flowing with much water.  No matter as the hike through the old tree fern forest had a primordial  

magic to it and was an unexpected treat. Plus it was lovely and shady. 

When we returned to Hobart we had one more full day with our friends and they took us to Bruny Island which is home to wineries, local cheese makers, great pubs and historic landmarks.  It really is all about the food, views and beverages. Captain Cook landed here in 1777 and was awed by the beauty.    It's also home to fairy penguins and although we saw a baby nestled deep in a burrow the show of them waddling to the sea happens at night. 

What Captain Cook saw on arrival here. 

Us and Deb & Michael on Bruny Island 

Some of you know Michael has a passion for cars and this one certainly has a high fun quotient!

 I declined the offer to drive this cutie but had a great time being a passenger. 

Tassie is a special place in this world but our flight back to the mainland was booked and we have more places to be.  Life of the jubilados is good!  

We left Tassie on Jan. 11th and haven't been to a place with enough internet capabilities to post this until now.  Campsites may give you 'free' internet but it is only enough to check email once or twice.  Internet access is a topic that gets all Aussies riled up as they are way behind the curve. I will never complain about slow internet, or costs, in Canada again.  Ou friends pay $154 per month and once they have used up a quota for fast speed they drop to very slow connections.  Savvy  travellers tell us they go to McDonalds and buy a coffee to gain access but I highly doubt we'll be doing that!