Random Thoughts

Firstly by the express request of Todd I have posted a picture of the awesome tea towel that he gave us all. This is why it is so awesome...

if you compare this map to an actual map of Australia I think you will get what the designer was getting at ;)

Secondly, now I can catch you all up on my recent life since I am done discussing my past Tasmanian experiences! Steff and I (my Canadian friend) went to an all day concert last Sunday. Even though it was a really hot and tiring day I had a great time with her.

My favorite part was the silent disco which was a tent in which we listened to djs through a set of headphones we were given when we entered. There was two djs in the room and thus two stations we could choose to listen/ dance to. It was really fun to just dance around and sing out loud when no one else could hear! Of course that is not entirely true as Steff and I passed the tent later and heard all of the people inside who I bet also thought no one could hear them... :)

Outside of dancing around like a crazy person in a tent I have been applying for about 5-10 jobs daily with no avail. I did get one interview at a bakery which is in the same complex as my gym so it would have been perfect!!! Unfortunately although I was told during the interview that I was perfect for the job and the manager really liked me, I was warned that the owner hates hiring internationals. Oh well… the search continues.

Thirdly (and most importantly) my sister is now in Ghana (if you didn’t know) and she is also writing a blog about her experiences. It is also a ton of fun to read and I am sure there is going to be loads of fun stories on it! So if anyone is interested: http://cocoandcoffee.tumblr.com/ :)

Those are my thoughts for now! Hugs and Kisses to all!

Continuation²

Well my very lengthy blogging about my Tasmania trip must finally draw to a close! I have so many other things to write about that have happened/ will happen soon and this topic is just getting ridiculously drawn out… my fault! : ) I left off with the BBQ count up to 6 and we are off to our road trip. Our day started bright and early

with a sugar rush as the girls and Al cooked Todd a very yummy birthday breakfast/cake. Along the way to Launceston we picked up a hitchhiker (kidding, just another friend: Wade) and so now our numbers are up to 8 friendly faces. We stayed in Launceston for the night which was a really nice town of approximately 65,000 people. That night our BBQ count increased yet again

and we stayed at Jodie’s (one of Todd’s really close friends) bright orange house. I am getting ahead of myself though. In the arvo (afternoon) we drove into Launceston (known as the five

minute city for its compact nature) and tried to check out the monkeys at the monkey park but unfortunately they were already put away for the day. Being the resourceful, goofy group that we are, we decided to imitate monkeys ourselves and started to do some very poor yoga in the park. Of course the yoga progressed to who can

do the most and longest handstands and other competitive displays of strength and flexibility. After quite a bit of time we were all tuckered out and went back to Jodie’s place for a really nice birthday BBQ for Todd. Our next stop was wineglass bay, one of the most picturesque and beautiful beaches IN THE WORLD. We stayed there for one night before moving onto Hobart for the Taste of Tasmania and Falls Festival in Marion Bay. Wineglass Bay Below $

Taste of Tasmania or “The Taste” is actually the only thing I had ever heard about Tasmania (besides the devils) before coming to Australia and I was not disappointed. The taste is a food and drink festival set in the backdrop of the Hobart harbor. The night before falls we all relaxed and ate and ate and ate until we could not squeeze in another drop.

We went home quite content and ready for the 2 day music festival that would bring us into the New Year. Falls was absolutely incredible. There were two stages where bands would perform from 12pm- 4am each day. We set up our tents in the huge grassy paddocks around the stages and spent the next two days listening to incredible bands while dancing like the crazy idiots that we are. Whenever we got tired we would just go back to the tents and take a nap or play cards under our life saving gazebo. For New Years Eve the lineup was Midnight Juggernauts and then the Yeah Yeah Yeahs which were both an exhilarating experience.

I have never had such an exciting new years eve and it was so incredible to be celebrating the new decade with all of my new friends. We all laughed and danced and sang until we exhaustedly crawled into our tents.

We awoke the next morning bright and early at 6am and after my slightly frightening experience with a HUGE spider (bugs love me) crawling up my leg we piled into the car and headed for Port Arthur which is an old prison compound that was used by the British to incarcerate their unwanted convicts. Having rushed to finish “For the Term of His Natural Life” over the past few days I felt that this experience was more profound and meaningful to me and Todd than to the other members of the group. It would be like visiting Auschwitz and not knowing what the Holocaust was. In any case, I love love LOVE old buildings and the history that went with them and so I really enjoyed walking around the old prison grounds. That night we all returned for a ghost tour and although none of us saw any ghosts I definitely think that our senses were stirred up a bit. Oh yah, add another BBQ to the count ;)

Port Arthur was our last official stop and the next day we drove back across the state to Ulverstone. The drive across the state was absolutely beautiful. The countryside seemed to change every mile or so and there was so many different little towns that we would drive through for 30 seconds and then it would be gone! Todd said “They say if you don’t like the weather in Tassie, come back in 5 min…” but we had absolutely impeccable weather for the entire trip. Even though this trip was packed so tight we could barely breathe I think we all had an incredible time hanging out with each other and experiencing this new beautiful place. I know that Tassie is a place that I will never ever forget. That night we had another BBQ to finish it all off and then we were forced to say goodbye to the place and people that had occupied our time for the past 16 days. We have all seen each other since but of course our feelings of companionship and closeness has changed just a bit as we all return to our normal lives. I am so thankful to have such an incredible group of friends to experience Australia with; my time here would not be the same without them. Cheers to you all! P.s. Check out my facebook for LOADS more pictures from my trip- It is worth it! :)

Continuation

From Al’s literally mind numbing stunt we hiked for a few more hours until we reached civilization again in the form of a cabin and land that was owned by one of Todd’s family friends. We ended up staying there for the next two nights and swam in the river that ran by the property and learned to play Finnish baseball!

Tellu used to play professional baseball in Finland and so she kept us all on top of the different maneuvers of the game. Camping in the same place two nights in a row was a welcomed break. The second day we walked to Leven Canyon without the extra 40+ pounds. I think we all felt like spring chickens after we ditched our packs. Our last night we all pooled our food and feasted… I mean it was no use bringing back extra food, right? I think we were all sad to leave the outdoors and the nice routine that we had created for our group.

The next day after Todd’s parents picked us up we picked up some food at a grocery store and sat outside while we waited for our clothes at a laundromat. We were all crouched on a bench or the ground because we quite frankly didn’t care what we looked like.

Well let me tell you, we got lots of strange looks and we all decided that we would much prefer to be out in nature where squatting on the ground is not only commendable, but quite often necessary. Well all good things come to an end and unfortunately this ended the last bit of my favorite part of the trip. I did love the road trip and falls festival and Christmas (more to come) but the first few days in the bush were just magical. It just felt like we were the only people out there. The only time we were reminded of others was when we read through the guest book at Bare Mountain Camp and when we saw trail. I always think clearer when I am exercising and so it felt like four days of cleansing reflection and thought. I think we all rush around too much to really allow ourselves to listen to what we really want and need and that time in the bush was exactly what I needed to restart my brain. I have started to write more in my journal again and really pay attention to my thoughts and reactions to the world. And I blame this reboot on this bushwalk… : )

On Christmas Eve we went on a pub crawl around the area and experienced some very different atmospheres/ groups of people. Todd of course knew loads of people and so the rest of us entertained ourselves with the juke box and finding our theme song from the trip “Meet me at the Border Line” (a song Roman sang incessantly, in a thick German accent, on our bushwalk).

Christmas morning was a combination of lunch preparation and present opening. Of course, Todd outdid himself and compiled “best of Tassie” kits which were comprised of a tea towel praising Tassie, bottle of the best beer and best black currant soda, coupon and magnet from the pizza shop he used to work in: the Red Grasshopper, a postcard of Tassie sites (that we all visited!!) and the best truffles in Tassie. This was taken right after we opened our secret santa presents from each other $

After the house was completely littered with wrapping paper scraps and we were all quite stuffed, Todd, his parents and I went to his Uncle Dennis and Aunt Helen’s farm to socialize with the family. Not surprisingly I ended up hanging out with the kids (Todd has LOADS of baby cousins) although I did manage to tear myself away for a tour of the farm and some big kid chatter.

Boxing day we went to Lake Barrington which is where Todd learned to ski, wakeboard and impress all the ladies with his talents, ha ha. Seriously though, we all had a great day in the water and all were crazy enough to jump off a 12 meter waterfall into the lake bellow. The day paused and then concluded with two more BBQs and I am sure I have missed a few in there so I am going to say the BBQ count is up to 6 :)

Do you see my problem? So many stories and I am afraid I am boring you all with my prattle. I think another break is called for and then I will try to finish up everything else in the next post! Fingers crossed people! :)

Cradle to Penguin Trail

Ok I know that my last blog was extremely weak so I promise to try and make these next few chalk full of witty remarks and enthralling stories; well that is my goal anyways… :)

Let’s see where did I leave off?… Day 1- my birthday = awesome; two rounds of birthday dessert; presents that left me speechless and two counts on the BBQ meter. The following day (19^th) we prepared for our bushwalk and Todd and I went to Burnie to pick up the final member of our crew (Al). The Burnie airport was much like the Launceston airport: small, efficient and refreshing lax in security measures. Pre airport pick up Todd and I walked around the “big” town of Burnie (19,000 people) and did some last minute Christmas shopping. We returned presents and Al in tow and then went to the grocery store to purchase food for our bushwalk. I have to say that the preparation is fun but extremely tedious. It is hard to measure your future hunger counterbalanced with the dreaded added weight that the food will supply. At the end of the day my pack weighed 21.5 kilos = 47 pounds. That was about the average weight of all of our packs, plus or minus a kilo or two.

We started out on the morning of the 20^th with a maxi taxi that picked us up and drove us to Cradle Mountain. We left our packs in the

taxi and just packed necessities (rain gear, food, water) in our day packs and hiked up to the top of Cradle (1,545 m above sea level) and across Hansen’s Peak and back to the taxi. The loop took us around 5 ½ hours and then the taxi (which had beeCn waiting for us for $20 an hour) drove us 20 min away to the Cradle – to – Penguin trail. Penguin is a town near Todd’s hometown of Ulverstone. We trenched through nasty, prickly bushes and ankle high mud for the next 3 hours until we reached Bare Mtn Camp.

As soon as we arrived we set up tents, pulled leeches off our legs :( blech, collected fire wood and began to rehydrate the spaghetti Bolognese that Emmi, Todd and I had made for us all. This camp was very unsheltered from the elements and although Mother Nature was very kind we were all fairly cold and crowded as close as possible to the fire. Todd was so close that his boots began to burn and he only noticed when Roman pointed out that something smelled like burnt rubber. Todd “My foot would have been ready to eat before I would have noticed,”

to which Roman responded “Yah! I have my cutlery all ready!” I was obviously sitting by the fire and making notes about the daily events: the beautiful view, the barely walked trail, and the men we passed on Cradle Mtn with Coles shopping bags in their hands. They were obviously setting off for the 6 day hike that we were originally going to conquer (the Overland Track). Apparently tourists often miscalculate the serious nature of the overland track and carry their food, bedding and clothing in their grocery bags. Todd mentioned that he had heard that one American tourist walked into the first overland track campsite with a plastic bag of snacks and a credit card. He had heard that there were shacks along the trail and he had assumed that he could charge his food and accommodation… priceless! :-D

The next morning we arose to a beautiful view of Cradle and thus began a routine that lasted for the next two days. We would stay up until the sun went down (around 9:30pm – AWESOME) and then wake up once the sun made the tent hot. We would boil water for oatmeal and coffee and then begin hiking. After a few hours we would stop for lunch and then walk again until our next camp. The second day we climbed a mtn called black bluff and then camped by a lake on the foot on black bluff. Of course Todd started a trend by jumping into the freezing lake and so we all diligently followed our tour guide… for about 60 seconds. :) The next morning we awoke to winds that blew the tents back and forth in 45 degree angles… Needless to say, we stayed in bed for a bit longer than usual. When we all managed to brave the wind (that died down a bit) Jeff made the mistake of taking out the tent stakes while the poles were still maintaining the shape of the tent. The tent became an instant kite and blew into the lake. After 30 seconds of “I’ll get it,” “Nah I’ll do it” and Jeff saying “Don’t! It’s not worth it,” Al jumped into the lake to perform a heroic save of the barely used tent.

And with that heroic act I will push the pause button to allow for snack, bathroom, and sleep breaks. My Tasmania trip has only just begun! More stories to come! Hold on tight… :-D

A Teasing Taste of Tassie

It is weird to visit a place and consider that you may never return to that place. I know that sounds morbid but I mean it in an extremely positive way. Each place we journey gives us a different feeling, experience etc… hence the term “once in a lifetime experience.” I was thinking about this idea as I travelled through Tassie and I will blame my incessant photo taking on that thought ;) (If you have not checked out my facebook pictures you should as there are 3 albums full of my experiences :D )

I had an amazing vacation right from the start. December 18^th we woke up at 3am to get ready. I jump in the shower and when I emerge Tellu and Emmi start my birthday surprises by singing to me and presenting me with mini Pavlov cakes, a photo collage and some little gifts that are an inside joke (I love inside jokes, don’t you?). My day progressed with my customary oatmeal for breakfast and after Todd goes down to the car to supposedly put away the bags he comes back with a mountain bike! He knew that I had been considering buying a bike in order to get around in a more efficient manner. Bike for my birthday and a wetsuit and bike helmet for Christmas, he sure takes good care of me!

Fast forward 3 hours or so and we are walking up the stairs into the plane, movie star style. In fact my experiences at the airport the entire trip reminded me of old school America when we could meet people at the arrivals gate and national security wasn’t always a code orange. I was never once asked for my ID. I could have walked up with someone else’s ticket and had no problem boarding the flight. Us Americans are always on danger alert and can never be too careful while the Australians still work on a trust system… weird ;) Maybe it has something to do with all the meat that Australians eat… it is clouding their judgment or something. The BBQ count started the first day. We had BBQ for lunch and dinner the first day we arrived. I swear Australians’ diet is 85% meat. Yummmmm…. Ha ha. Let’s just say that I haven’t had meat since I returned home. I definitely need to just vegge out for awhile… get it? Veg out? Ha ha… yah I have been pretty lazy since I got back home and a pretty nasty cold hasn’t helped. I have been applying for jobs though and I intend to devote loads more time to this blog in the next few days so you can all learn about my fabulous holiday adventure. For now, this little taste will have to do, but I promise to delve into my stories very soon :) Hope everyone’s first week of the new year has been fantastic! Welcome to 2010!