Monday, January 31, 2005

Hobart, Tasmania

Back from the Bush

Well, I survived a week in Tasmania's Bush. The bushwalk was six nights and seven days far far away from anyone and everything. After the first day, we didn't see any people for the duration of the trek. The trails that we followed, when we followed trails were that of wombats. And it was simply amazing. Our group consisted of Bill, who was making his 14th bushwalk across the Central Plateau, Lloyd the Bush rat, a seventy year old scamp who's been walking in the Tasmanian Bush for over 50 years now, Chantelle, a South African who was the sole female in our group and had to put up with sharing a tent with Lloyd and Bill all week. She was a tough, cool customer. Then there was Matt, a good friend of Jim's going all the way back to their teens at school, and the bulldozer of our trip, crushing his way through the bush and occasionally knocking over a tree. Finally, my mate Jim, who has the energy of an ADD Pekinese on crack and sugar. It was simply impossible to wear the man out, or to not allow him to help in dinner preparations each night (not that I minded one bit). The meals were wonderful though, bowtie pasta, rissoto and couscous... ah, the couscous. Jim also got pancake mix for one breakfast we had, and everyone was pleased with the choice. I will write at greater length on what I saw and did during the course of the week, but I need some time to reflect and organize my thoughts. But I will say this, it was truly a simply amazing week, I feel privileged and lucky to have been able to do a bushwalk that under 200 people have likely done. I got to see some sights that less than 10 Americans have likely ever seen, as Lloyd pointed out to me one day.

I got back to Hobart on the 29th, but couldn't get on the internet till today. The Friday before I left for the Bush I met Corey and Slim at T42, Jim's bar. Slim is from Texas and his friend Corey, who lives here in Hobart, said that he would video tape the Patriots/Steelers game that I would miss during the course of my bushwalk. Because of this, I couldn't get online till I had watched that tape as I didn't want to know what had happened. But last night, I saw the game, and now know that the Pats are headed back to the Superbowl, baby! I have to thank Corey for taping the game for me, a complete stranger. He made my week, I am so happy that I was able to watch the game. Anyway, I'm back in Hobart and still unsure when I will be leaving. All I can say is that the Tasmanian Bush can be distracting and I'm in no hurry to move on down the road.

Friday, January 21, 2005

Hobart, Australia

Heading into the Bush

Well, I'm pretty much ready to go. I head off with Jim tomorrow on a six day bushwalk through the Central Plateau. Been having a great week at Wayne's, vegging at his place and bouncing around his Hobart. We went to a BBQ Wednesday that ended with me getting rather intoxicated. Last night, we went out again, meeting up with several people at Jim's bar, T42. Hope everyone's doing alright, I shall write of my Bushwalk when I return.

Monday, January 17, 2005

Hobart, Australia

Still in Hobart, spent the weekend chilling at Wayne's place, and doing some errands and working on my website. The Patriots won this weekend, causing me to rejoice Monday. Things are well, getting ready to take the bushwalk with Jim next week, getting food and the right equipment. I'm leaving most of it in Jim's capable hands. Anyway, that's about all from me for right now, it's a gorgeous day out.

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Floating through downtown Hobart

Afternoon folks, it's a beautiful day out in downtown Hobart, across the river, forest fires burn as some of the local Tassies seem to get some perverse enjoyment out of summer brush burning. Ask the rest about '67 and you hear a different attitude. Hanging out with Wayne and Katie again, stayed at Wayne's last night well into the evening again, till morning had nearly broken through. Yesterday was spent roaming the underworld of Southern Tasmania, Hastings Caves and the hot baths that are by them. I went with Phil, Rory, and Vinnie, " "Ey Vinnie, gedda over here." Afterwards we swam in the hot (I use this term loosely, as in warmer than the air around us hot) springs fed pool. I've decided to answer a few emails I've received since the last time I wrote here rather than by email.

Dan, The Hat's doing well, I think they are several pics of it in every country. There was some damage done when I went cliff jumping on a river in South East Fiji, the straw at the back gave out and the wire of the brim hung free, but an hour with some needle and thread has repaired the damage and gives it some further...character? This to all is the cowboy hat I wear on the road, Dan gave it to me, almost five years ago now, and it has aged beyond recognition since being taken travelling.

Brian, yeah I know I keep jumping around but I think I should now be headed up to NZ in the first week of Feb. Let me know when you're thinking of leaving. That's a bit flexible so I could possibly stay in Oz longer, my plans are always subject to revision.

I want to answer the latest letter from Bitch Bob, my merry mate from Fiji (see photos). To all my friends and family around Boston, Bitch Bob, aka Katie, just got into town and already knows exactly who Johnny D. is and has got herself a Bosox cap. If you're around this weekend and going out on the town, send me an email so you can drinking with this Pomey lass. Kate, let me know if you're staying through then so I can arrange to get you tanked. Glad you like it there, make sure you're watching the Pats game if you're still around.

Finally, I want to share some of the thoughts from last night's drinking. Wayne and I have developed a new drink for those of you to try: the smooth Fanny, which is a shooter of Booker's (or any other very strong bourbon) and Drambuie with a piece of Fanny Farmer chocolate laid over the top of the glass and given a half twist so you drink the shooter over the taste of chocolate. A single icecube floats in the shooter glass containing frozen within it a hair from dubious parts of the anatomy. Best to drink before the icecube melts too much. And there you have it, yes I was rather drunk last night. Anyway, till next time.

Monday, January 10, 2005

Mid week in Hobart

Well, it's turning into a beautiful week here in Hobart. I got back down here from Devenport last Thursday, driving with Phil in a van filled with the contents of Sarah's apartment. This weekend ended up being a lot of fun, I went out and sampled a bit of Hobart's nightlife, getting home around 4am. I'm currently dealing with a bit of a hangover today, the product of going out to dinner with Jim and Wayne last night, then deciding to have another drink or two with Wayne. Finally, crashed on the couch of his place round 4am, though I do remember being conscious for sunrise which painted the sky over Hobart red. Planning on heading to some caves and thermal pools tomorrow with Phil and Rory, and maybe hitting the town with Wayne again, later this week. Also, I worked out that going on a bushwalk with Jim, through the Central Plateau will not coincide with the Superbowl, which could be something I could ill afford to miss.

Sunday, January 02, 2005

Off to the North

Well, Happy New Year everybody. I'm back from the Falls Festival, two days and nights of camping. We were in luck the weather was wonderful, the sun was scorching and were it not for my seven weeks in Fiji I might have gotten a horrible sunburn, like most of the Tassies there. I'm now headed to Northern Tasmania, Devenport with Judy and Sarah for two nights. Sarah is moving from there back down to Hobart, and Judy and I are going to help finish with the packing, I think. At any rate, it should be a fun road trip. Hope everyone's well, and I'll write again soon.