An Alphabetical Stroll Through Bali and Australia- N is for: New Day, New Adventures on Tasmania- Swansea to Hobart (12/24)

[pkondz]

I know I've been absent. Most of you know I'm dealing with my dad who suffered a massive stroke last Saturday. There are lots of moving parts and difficult decisions. I am committed to finishing this TR for sure. There's lots left to share. But.... I leave Monday for my Trip to WDW (see other TR!) and will be hopefully starting a job (interview on Monday) around the start of the new year. Hopefully, I can some sense of routine and normalcy soon.... Please stay tuned. I will finish, but it's going to take time.

Do know about your dad. Continued thoughts and prayers.
Good luck with your interview, enjoy your trip, and best wishes for you and your family at this time.

 

[missjackiemcg]

I hope the interview went well yesterday! Also hoping that this trip allows you the time and space to rejuvenate and take care of yourself in the midst of everything else going on in your life. Sending love!

 

[Steppesister]

N is for: New Day, New Adventures on Tasmania- Swansea to Hobart​

Our night at Wagner’s Cottages as fantastic. It was lovely in every way- quiet, luxurious, yet homey and warm. As I was getting ready for the day in the bathroom, Anara rushed in and excitedly exclaimed that I have to come out see our visitor. A visitor, you say? Yes, Mom, hurry up!

I went to the glass doors of the patio and lo and behold, there was the most exquisite peacock strutting around as if it owned the place. (It probably did.) It literally paid no attention to us as we gawked at him taking a turn about the garden. I followed him around for a bit taking pictures and just enjoyed his presence in our lovely private enclave.

​

He finally decided to find other places to roam and when I went in, Anara declared that she had named him Sandra.

“Ummm, you do know that’s a boy bird, right?”

“I know, but it looks like a Sandra, so that’s what I named it.”

“Okay then…”

I think she missed her calling to work on UP.


Here is a map of the day's route to refer to. I'll talk about the highlighted area in a bit...

​

We finished packing up our bags and loaded the car, then we both enjoyed some of our hostess’ fresh bread, jam, butter and tea and coffee. It was a perfect start to our morning. Today was our last day touring Tasmania and we had several stops on our itinerary- the first of which was purely an accidental find- Spiky Bridge. While not a top tourist spot, I still found it quite interesting and enjoyed the signage about its history.

​

When we got about half way down (south) to our next cluster of stops, the road took a wild turn for the scenic, but rough. As true with a lot of our driving in Australia we ended up on a rough dirt road which was entirely unexpected. By now, you’d think it would be EXPECTED. In hindsight, I have no idea why Google put us onto this little offshoot where I’ve highlighted the map, but I’m kinda glad it did. While it added a good bit of time and a little stress (are we going the right way?!) to our day, I came away with some lovely shots of the scenery along the way.

(I ADORE this shot!)



(The scenery was sooooo different now! Almost prehistoric!)

​

I asked Anara to take a photo for me on the go and in usual fashion, this is what I ended up with. At least it wasn’t her feet. But it does give a good idea of the road we took for what seemed like forever.

​

The next stop IS a hot spot for visiting and proved to be one of my personal favorites on our whole visit to Tassie overall. The Tessellated Pavement is such a geologic oddity and makes for a really fun photography shoot!

If you’re interested in how this beautiful freak of nature formed, here is the Wiki…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tessellated_pavement

And the signage at the Park:

​

We had so much fun here. I mean in a quiet, exploratory way. We each went our own way inspecting the little tide pools full of shelled creatures and other sea goodies and taking in the formations from different angles. There were only a few other visitors on the rocks, and it was easy to get all the photos I wanted. In all, I think we spent almost an hour here.

​

From there, we stopped at two locations very close together, also at the Eagleneck area on the Tasman Peninsula. The first was The Tasman Arch and the second, the Devil’s Kitchen.

The Kitchen:




A little video I took:

​

Both were quite awe-inspiring showcasing Nature’s power in the sea. They each only had one viewpoint, so a couple of quick snaps of each were all there was to get. Regardless, the roar of the ocean below was worth the stops.

We didn’t have time to really dally at any of these places too terribly long as we still needed to get some lunch, drive all the way back into Hobart, and get the rental car returned before finding our hotel for the night. I’d done a little research on where to find a lunch of local flavor and came up with the Dunnalley Fish Market. This has since changed names to the Dunnalley Seafood Market, and the ratings have plummeted... so YMMV. I can say then when I was there last year, the food was really great! I ordered the fish and chips (that’s basically all they have) and it came with 3 HUGE pieces of 2 kinds of fish and enough fries to fill an average-sized bathtub. Anara doesn’t care for fish, so she walked to another place in town and got something else. I ordered the $22 meal, found a window table, and opened my package when they brought it. It was all wrapped in paper and I must have looked like a cod fish myself when I saw the size. Seriously, it was enough to feed an entire family and here I was, just lil ol’ me who wanted to have a taste of Tassie Fish and Chips. It was delicious and I certainly got my fill, but sadly ¾ of it ended up in the trash. I wish more places (everywhere I travel) would offer a "light-eaters special" for those of us who just want a small meal or taste. If you’re interested, the fishes were Pink Ling and Grenadian (which I’d never heard of before).

​

After our meal stop, it was time for the last push on into Hobart. We easily found a place to gas up and got the car returned with no hassles at all. If you’ll remember, this was the place they got really pushy with the insurance and gave me low-level threats about dings or damage, etc… Glad to have that behind me, we Ubered to the Montacute Boutique Hotel for our half night’s stay at checked in at 3:00. I was happy for an early arrival as our next day’s alarm was set for 3:00AM. The little hotel, which was FAR more akin to a hostel, was within easy walking distance to the historic wharf area. Laundry was very inexpensive, so we threw in our loads and sat around editing photos and just resting for a while. Anara struck up a conversation with another hosteler which I overheard from around the corner. I was so impressed with her maturity and insights about travel and cultures, but also with her ability to gracefully withdraw from it when she was ready to be done. She is by nature an extreme introvert and I could tell she was ready for a break after a time. She also made friends with the resident bulldogs and took some time to cuddle with them.

​

After our laundry was done and we’d both finished re-packing, we took a walk down to the historic harbor area. There were a couple of cruise ships in port, so the pubs and bars were definitely hopping with lively conversation and activity. Aside from that, there were also a lot of locals enjoying happy hour and it really made for a fun, vibrant atmosphere. Neither of us wanted to spend more money on drinks and we were still way too full for food, so we just stuck with the sight-seeing and found some gems. I’ll let the photos do the talking.

​

The only regret I have was not having the time to visit the historic Port Arthur. Perhaps someday I'll return to stroll around there and see it. With that early alarm set for 3:00, we were in bed asleep by 7:00. Tomorrow, we’d be in Alice Springs and ready to begin Part 4 of our Asia-Australian Adventure!

 

[pkondz]

Anara rushed in and excitedly exclaimed that I have to come out see our visitor.

I bet she was excited. Who wouldn't be! Cool!

there was the most exquisite peacock strutting around as if it owned the place. (It probably did.)

It probably did!

"Okay, now you're just getting ridiculous... I know I'm beautiful, but enough with the pictures!"

Anara declared that she had named him Sandra.

“Ummm, you do know that’s a boy bird, right?”

“I know, but it looks like a Sandra, so that’s what I named it.”

“Okay then…”

I think she missed her calling to work on UP.

Right away, "Spiky Bridge" caught my eye.
I had visions of porcupines guarding the roadway.

we both enjoyed some of our hostess’ fresh bread, jam, butter and tea and coffee. It was a perfect start to our morning.

That sounds amazing.

Cool! It really is a spiky bridge!
Too bad they don't know why the spikes are there.

By now, you’d think it would be EXPECTED.

(I ADORE this shot!)

So do I. Nice!

I can see why you'd wonder if you were going the right way!

(The scenery was sooooo different now! Almost prehistoric!)

Yes! Very.

Holy smokes! Either that's a gnome-sized Anara look alike, or those ferns are massive!

I asked Anara to take a photo for me on the go and in usual fashion, this is what I ended up with. At least it wasn’t her feet.

But it doesn't look too bad.

If I hadn't read the explanation, I'd have taken that for man-made.

They're raised! Huh!

Another cool shot. So unique and interesting.

Won't post them all, but the tide pool shots are really interesting. Can see why you kept shooting.

The first was The Tasman Arch

Cool.

and the second, the Devil’s Kitchen.

That, somehow, is even more impressive. In a few millennia, the water will carve it's way all the way around the rock.

A little video I took:

I like it. Really shows how it'll keep working at the rock.

the Dunnalley Fish Market. This has since changed names to the Dunnalley Seafood Market, and the ratings have plummeted... so YMMV

Well, shoot. I was thinking of heading over for a bite.

I must have looked like a cod fish myself when I saw the size.

If you’re interested, the fishes were Pink Ling and Grenadian (which I’d never heard of before).

I've heard of Ling... but as in Ling Cod. Otherwise... nope! Never heard of them.

If you’ll remember, this was the place they got really pushy with the insurance and gave me low-level threats about dings or damage, etc…

Did they do a walk-around?

I was happy for an early arrival as our next day’s alarm was set for 3:00AM.

I was so impressed with her maturity and insights about travel and cultures, but also with her ability to gracefully withdraw from it when she was ready to be done. She is by nature an extreme introvert and I could tell she was ready for a break after a time.

Good for her. I mean that. I don't know if I would approach strangers and strike up a conversation.
And to have an intelligent conversation!

Aww.

There were a couple of cruise ships in port

Oh! Had no idea cruise ships could even stop there.

the pubs and bars were definitely hopping with lively conversation and activity.

I bet. Did the cruise crowd detract from the charm? Or add to the bustle?

Aside from that, there were also a lot of locals enjoying happy hour and it really made for a fun, vibrant atmosphere.

That's good.

This is so interesting... and I'm not sure if it's funny or sad!
Free speech... as long as you get a permit and don't talk about things they don't want you to talk about...........

Tomorrow, we’d be in Alice Springs and ready to begin Part 4 of our Asia-Australian Adventure!

Can't wait!

 

[zanzibar138]

Welcome back!

“Ummm, you do know that’s a boy bird, right?”

“I know, but it looks like a Sandra, so that’s what I named it.”

“Okay then…”

I think she missed her calling to work on UP.

Haha I was thinking the same thing!

Here is a map of the day's route to refer to. I'll talk about the highlighted area in a bit...

Ooh, I got all excited then, thinking you were going to tell us about a side trip you took to Maria Island. Not sure when you would have had time for that though lol!

Today was our last day touring Tasmania and we had several stops on our itinerary- the first of which was purely an accidental find- Spiky Bridge.

I actually loved the Spiky Bridge too!

I have no idea why Google put us onto this little offshoot where I’ve highlighted the map

I also found Google Maps sometimes struggled in Tassie. There is definitely a major highway there that you could have taken, but yes, sometimes it is nice to take the path less travelled! Maybe there was something on the highway causing major delays?

(I ADORE this shot!)

A very Aussie shot

Those are some decent sized tree ferns! Glad you got to see some of this stuff on your little detour - most of it is down further south of Hobart. For your next trip check out Mt Field National Park.

The next stop IS a hot spot for visiting and proved to be one of my personal favorites on our whole visit to Tassie overall. The Tessellated Pavement is such a geologic oddity and makes for a really fun photography shoot!

Wow that's some high praise for the Tessellated Pavement. The first time I went, I was pretty disappointed because I didn't realise you could go down to the bottom lol! I did go down to the bottom the last time I was there, and enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say it was one of my favourites.

From there, we stopped at two locations very close together, also at the Eagleneck area on the Tasman Peninsula. The first was The Tasman Arch and the second, the Devil’s Kitchen.

I found these ones very enjoyable too. I would love to do the boat ride around the bottom of them one day! There's also a blowhole in this area that was much more spectacular than the one in Bicheno (at the time of my visit anyway).

I’d done a little research on where to find a lunch of local flavor and came up with the Dunnalley Fish Market.

The way you described this sounded absolutely incredible!

This looks like a pretty standard (albeit nice looking) fish and chips lol! Although normally you'd just get one type of fish (which varies by location). And yes, normally you would get one to share between 2.

Anara struck up a conversation with another hosteler which I overheard from around the corner. I was so impressed with her maturity and insights about travel and cultures, but also with her ability to gracefully withdraw from it when she was ready to be done. She is by nature an extreme introvert and I could tell she was ready for a break after a time. She also made friends with the resident bulldogs and took some time to cuddle with them.

Very impressive! I am also a massive introvert and very rarely strike up a conversation with a stranger, although if someone else starts talking I will generally join in. Sometimes ending the conversation is the hardest part!

The only regret I have was not having the time to visit the historic Port Arthur. Perhaps someday I'll return to stroll around there and see it.

Port Arthur is beautiful and also fairly poignant (particularly since the massacre). It's definitely worth spending a whole day there if you ever go again.

I'm a little sad to see your Tassie adventure coming to an end - I've really enjoyed seeing it through your eyes. Looking forward to the next part. I haven't made it to the Red Centre yet, so it will all be new to me too!

 

[Wood Nymph]

the first of which was purely an accidental find- Spiky Bridge.

The story of the spikey bridge is interesting. I like the theory that the spikes were intended to keep cattle from falling off the bridge.

Tessellated Pavement is such a geologic oddity and makes for a really fun photography shoot!

The geology is interesting, but I find the tidepools to be the best thing about them.

I was so impressed with her maturity and insights about travel and cultures, but also with her ability to gracefully withdraw from it when she was ready to be done.

She has more travel experience than almost anyone she will meet.

 

[Steppesister]

I bet she was excited. Who wouldn't be! Cool!

I know peacocks are quite common even at zoos and metropolitan parks and such, but the fact that this was COMPLETELY wild made it even MORE cool!

"Okay, now you're just getting ridiculous... I know I'm beautiful, but enough with the pictures!"

Right away, "Spiky Bridge" caught my eye.
I had visions of porcupines guarding the roadway.

LOL!! Almost like a fairy tale story for a children's book series.

Cool! It really is a spiky bridge!
Too bad they don't know why the spikes are there.

Yeah, kind of a shame some of the history was lost there.

So do I. Nice!

Very homestead-y kind of feel to it.

I can see why you'd wonder if you were going the right way!

It as definitely feeling very remote and like "the wrong way". EEK!

Holy smokes! Either that's a gnome-sized Anara look alike, or those ferns are massive!

Easily 15-20' high!

If I hadn't read the explanation, I'd have taken that for man-made.

I know! The patterns were SO perfectly spaced and shaped it'd be easy to think they were manufactured.

Another cool shot. So unique and interesting.

It really was a marvel of nature!

Won't post them all, but the tide pool shots are really interesting. Can see why you kept shooting.

I love the variety and textures and colors in tidepools!

That, somehow, is even more impressive. In a few millennia, the water will carve it's way all the way around the rock.

Well, shoot. I was thinking of heading over for a bite.

That'll be a looooooong trek for a meal!

I've heard of Ling... but as in Ling Cod. Otherwise... nope! Never heard of them.

I think it must have been Ling Cod.

Did they do a walk-around?

No, the check-in guys were super chill.

Good for her. I mean that. I don't know if I would approach strangers and strike up a conversation.
And to have an intelligent conversation!

I think hostels have a unique way of facilitating conversations and camaraderie amongst fellow adventurers. We found ourselves (from this point forward) having lots of fun interactions with other travelers in our hostels.

Oh! Had no idea cruise ships could even stop there.

Yep!

I bet. Did the cruise crowd detract from the charm? Or add to the bustle?

I think it added to the fun, vibrant atmosphere.

This is so interesting... and I'm not sure if it's funny or sad!
Free speech... as long as you get a permit and don't talk about things they don't want you to talk about...........

I thought the exact same thing. Free speech.... but not. Was really odd to me.

 

[Steppesister]

Welcome back!

Thanks! That was quite an absence!

Haha I was thinking the same thing!

We got a nice, long chuckle out of it.

Ooh, I got all excited then, thinking you were going to tell us about a side trip you took to Maria Island. Not sure when you would have had time for that though lol!

I'd heard of Maria Island and it was on my original bucket list plan, but had to pare it down because we just didn't have unlimited time.

I actually loved the Spiky Bridge too!

Wasn't it neat? Very mysterious too. I don't think I've ever seen any other architecture even remotely like it.

I also found Google Maps sometimes struggled in Tassie. There is definitely a major highway there that you could have taken, but yes, sometimes it is nice to take the path less travelled! Maybe there was something on the highway causing major delays?

Oh for sure. Paved all the way to Tassie Peninsula and on into Hobart. Sure could have been, but I'm glad to have gotten detoured because it was a pretty drive.

A very Aussie shot

It screams 1930's homestead. It needed a hand crank washing machine

Those are some decent sized tree ferns! Glad you got to see some of this stuff on your little detour - most of it is down further south of Hobart. For your next trip check out Mt Field National Park.

They were huge! Definitely a happy little accident/unplanned detour that I wasn't sad about. I'll sure keep that park in mind for a possible next time.

Wow that's some high praise for the Tessellated Pavement. The first time I went, I was pretty disappointed because I didn't realise you could go down to the bottom lol! I did go down to the bottom the last time I was there, and enjoyed it, but I wouldn't say it was one of my favourites.

OH no!!! Yes, you can and it was really neat getting to it all from that perspective/vantage point. I just thought it was so cool how precisely the "blocks" were formed.

I found these ones very enjoyable too. I would love to do the boat ride around the bottom of them one day! There's also a blowhole in this area that was much more spectacular than the one in Bicheno (at the time of my visit anyway).

I saw the blowhole was there, but since we'd just seen one earlier we opted out in the interest of saving a bit of time. But, now I'm a little sad we passed it up, especially if it's a much better one!

The way you described this sounded absolutely incredible!

I love sitting right by the beach with such a pretty view for my yummy local lunch.

This looks like a pretty standard (albeit nice looking) fish and chips lol! Although normally you'd just get one type of fish (which varies by location). And yes, normally you would get one to share between 2.

IT was so huge!! I wish Anara likes fish! LOL!! It was actually really tasty, especially with the tartar sauce and vinegar!

Very impressive! I am also a massive introvert and very rarely strike up a conversation with a stranger, although if someone else starts talking I will generally join in. Sometimes ending the conversation is the hardest part!

I think hostels made it easier to talk to "strangers". Everyone's seeking information about what to do, where to go, what they saw or did.... It's like they have a shared goal or common experience that's easy to start conversations about.

Port Arthur is beautiful and also fairly poignant (particularly since the massacre). It's definitely worth spending a whole day there if you ever go again.

Yes, I knew we'd not have even close to a whole day and paying for only a couple of hours just seemed like a waste of money and effort. Another trip for another time.

I'm a little sad to see your Tassie adventure coming to an end - I've really enjoyed seeing it through your eyes. Looking forward to the next part. I haven't made it to the Red Centre yet, so it will all be new to me too!

I'm actually excited to be moving on to new landscapes to share with you. The whole focus of the trip becomes more Aboriginal-focused and far more wary of venomous critters. Lots of nail-biting stories coming up!

 

[Steppesister]

The story of the skikey bridge is interesting. I like the theory that the spikes were intended to keep cattle from falling off the bridge.

As good as any other theory! I wondered if, since it was with convict labor, they just told them to keep building just as some sort of further punishment of hard(er) labor.

The geology is interesting, but I find the tidepools to be the best thing about them.

I loved it all, but yes, the variety of all the shells and little creatures, just so much fun to explore!

She has more travel experience than almost anyone she will meet.

She really does. She's been to a great many countries already at only 21!

 

[pkondz]

I know peacocks are quite common even at zoos and metropolitan parks and such, but the fact that this was COMPLETELY wild made it even MORE cool!

And right outside your door!

We had one at work for a while a few years ago. Was fun seeing it strut by the cafeteria windows.

LOL!! Almost like a fairy tale story for a children's book series.

Very homestead-y kind of feel to it.

Yes! What I thought as well.

That'll be a looooooong trek for a meal!

Well, I'm not going to make it now.

I think it must have been Ling Cod.

Apparently not.

Pink ling is a type of scalefish with an eel-like body and a scientific name of Genypterus blacodes:
Pink ling have long, eel-like bodies with small scales, a thick mucous covering, and a pinkish to orange color with brown bands. They also have barbel-like pelvic fins located below their eyes


Ling cod is this:

No, the check-in guys were super chill.

After all those threats...

I think hostels have a unique way of facilitating conversations and camaraderie amongst fellow adventurers. We found ourselves (from this point forward) having lots of fun interactions with other travelers in our hostels.

I think it added to the fun, vibrant atmosphere.

Good!

I thought the exact same thing. Free speech.... but not. Was really odd to me.

 

[Steppesister]

We had one at work for a while a few years ago. Was fun seeing it strut by the cafeteria windows.

But a zoo escapee?

Apparently not.

Pink ling is a type of scalefish with an eel-like body and a scientific name of Genypterus blacodes:
Pink ling have long, eel-like bodies with small scales, a thick mucous covering, and a pinkish to orange color with brown bands. They also have barbel-like pelvic fins located below their eyes

Well, I'll be!!! Who knew!! (I sure didn't!!) What a bizarre looking species. Tasty though!

 

[pkondz]

But a zoo escapee?

Well, I'll be!!! Who knew!! (I sure didn't!!) What a bizarre looking species. Tasty though!

It's one of them foreign fishies.