After leaving Hobart, we got back on the road (…and yes we Do start singing “on the road again…” as soon as we get back on the road… pretty much without fail).
And as folks have warned (Tassie is notorious for having unpredictable weather, "Oh, I've seen it SNOW in January"... is a common statement)… it started raining. Not a big deal, but Kimbo does look like a smurf (Macho Smurf).
Oh, and everytime we'd pass a field of sheep, they'd look up one by one, and start staring at us…
The first night we camped out at an out-of-business campground in Orford… but had working toilets, and was 20 ft from the ocean on the beach. That was nice. We met Arile in town, ate, and camped out with her. Nice girl, quite a trooper…
The next day, since it rained quite a bit on the ride, we stayed at the Swansea Backpackers… next door to a pub, and a bottle shop (reason #2)... we went there for dinner as well, and while waiting for a table to open, we met Tony and Amy from Adelaide. Amy is Aborigine, and had some fascinating stories to tell… mainly due to the fact that she was taken away from her parents at an early age (see the movie Rabbit-Proof Fence), and never got to know them. Also… she doesn’t have a birth certificate... (doesn't even know her own birthday!!! or her original given name!!!)...and because of tightened security, she had to obtain a birth certificate to fly down to Hobart for the trip... which was quite a story. Anyway, it's really quite remarkable all the discrimination, the unfair circumstances, and conditions that they had to put up with... and given all that, people like Amy still managed to live a happy, fulfilling life (She was also the first Aborigine in South Australia to be a teacher... and her sister was the first nurse)...
the flip side is that...unfortunately, due to these circumstances many Aborigines still grow up in poverty, facing escalating drug and alcohol problems (quite similar to Native Americans in the US)... and meeting people like Amy makes me realize that it's not genetics or due to their race, etc... but due to their environment and the situations they face. So before you pass judgment next time... take a brief moment, think of Amy, and analyze a little deeper...
At wineglass bay... watching dolphins dance upside down.
Dolphins... are amazing... no wonder they get so much more priority over tuna... where do I buy the "tuna-free dolphin in olive oil?"
A very comfy chair, I'd love to replicate one day...
One more pic of the ever-so-glorious Wineglass Bay... with the Hazards on the other side.
At the Bicheno Blowhole... yes that was a big one... and I did get soaked... the last 10 times, I was ok...
Camping at Lagoon Beach, between Bicheno and St. Helens, again with Arile.
P.S. Just to let you know... I have updated the Gear List... take a look if you are interested in what we have... and if you want to know what gear I think YOU should have.
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2 comments:
"Rabbit-Proof Fence" - is that the movie you're talking about?
I see you're saying 'Uni' now - you've become a regular Aussie eh? I hope you're drinking lots of Bundaburg Ginger Beer...
Nice pictures,wish you a luck and safe trip.Roman
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