Wednesday 22^nd February, 2012

Today I had to go early to the harbour as the boat had to ship a group of seniors to the island. First we collected the group and then we went directly to the island, where we day tourists left the boat. I took my bicycle and started cycling. First along the coast and then a bit to the interior. The way was a bit hilly and the road not bad. Sometimes I had to walk if there was much sand on the road and I did not manage to pass. Often parrots flew out of the trees or somewhere a wallaby jumped away. Then and when I could take a picture from an animal, but I took also many pictures from the landscape. I never saw so many shades of green and blue like here. It was a magnificent to explore the landscape with two wheels. To get back to Darlington I used the same way. Cycling a bit, take a picture and walk sometimes as my knee started to ache. Back on the mainland I saw that there is a message in my voicemail. I learned that it was the camping asking why I did not bring back the key for the caravan. Back in the reception I explained to the receptionist that I paid for another night. The lady from yesterday did not note it! The gentleman believed me and I could sleep once more here.

Tuesday 21^st February, 2012

I fell in love, sorry Konrad. But Maria Island entered my heart. With the boat we went to island. There I joined a German couple for the rest of the day. First we went to the Fossil Cliffs. Here I could see up to 240 million year old fossils in the rock. Back in Darlington we continued to the Painted Cliffs. That are rocks which have different colours in the sunlight. The best time here is at low tide. We were lucky and the sun started shining as we were there, so we could marvel at all the colours of the different rock layers. Finally we hiked into the interior of the island and then back to Darlington. On the island I saw today some kangaroos, wallabies, goose, hen-like birds, a wombat and a breeding penguin. Unfortunately I did not see any dolphins. Then we went back to Triabunna with the boat. There I wanted to get some money from the ATM, but it did not work with any of my cards. According to the unfriendly lady from the supermarket some French had the same problem a few days ago. I said that there might be a problem with the machine. She did not believe as the problems are only with foreign cards. But as I could always get money so far, I believe more in my version. Anyway, my credit card was accepted and I booked another night in the caravan as I do not yet have enough of Maria Island and will go there tomorrow again.

Monday 20^th February, 2012

Today I wanted to lie in, but my inner clock woke me up already at 8am. After I moved all my stuff to the car again, I started. To Coles Bay there is just one road and thus the way was the same as two days ago. On the way there was someone with a camera standing beside the road and shortly after an emu. So I made a U-turn and came back. The emu did not bother. A few days ago I told Konrad, I could fly home as I now have a picture of most animals. Konrad replied the emu is missing. There I am. Still I would like to stay a bit longer as I like it here. Only the weather might get a bit warmer. The only road to the west goes through the interior. I drove along wines and olive trees, saw flocks of sheep which had nearly the same colour as the ground. As I had plenty of time, I drove to the Nine Mile Beach and walked a bit on it. This beach is just opposite to Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park. Beside some sea birds I saw again a pelican swimming in the watter. Then I drove on to Swansea. Here I visited the Bark Mill Museum. It show how crop was milled in earlier times. It was the only mill where everybody could mill his crop. In the village Swansea I walked along the beach and had again a full view to the Freycinet National Park. There was a strong wind and a few drops here and there. My trip continued to Spiky Bridge which was constructed in 1840 and is still in use. Short after 14pm I arrived in Triabunna. In the tourist office I reserved a got a ticket for the boat going every morning to the island. Then I was looking for the camping, as I reserved a room there. The owner showed me my room and explained that for the same price I could stay in a caravan, this would be more comfortable. I had a look and decided to stay in the caravan. Here I can train already for the west coast where I will be on the road with a friend in a camper. At it was only afternoon I walked along the sea. Not far from the shore is Dead Island. You make walk to this small island if there is low tide. A bit later there was a sign that there are pelicans to see here. I had no luck, there was none. After a short sightseeing in Triabunna I went back to the camping and passed the rest of the afternoon reading.

Sunday 19^th February, 2012

My day started with a bird. When I prepared my breakfast, I saw a parrot on the tree outside of the kitchen window. As my camera is always ready I could take a picture of it. Here the climate is mild and Coles Bay advertises with 100 sunny days a year. That is why there are lemons and tree tomatos growing in the garden of the host. Freshly starched I drove into the National Park and hiked to the Great Oyster Bay. On the way again parrot were flying from the trees. I hiked in the bay along the beach and enjoyed the view to the mountains of the park. Next stop was Cape Tourville. Here I had a stunning view over the peninsula. On a lucky day you see dolphins from here and also whales if there is the right season. I for sure saw none of them. I shortely walked to the light house and went back to Coles Bay. I wanted to do sightseeing in the center. I realized that there is only a restaurant, a shop and a bakery. They definitively live from tourism as there are a lot of accommodation possibilities. I decided to walk along Muris Beach. After 30 minutes I was at the other end and enjoyed a picnic. On the beach there were two cyclists and soon I realized that is was Diana and her husband. I rented my room from them. Diana asked me, if I would like some zucchini and potatoes. I accepted in thanks. I got the fresh vegetables from their garden. She told me that next to my room is a bush with Tassie berries and I should taste them. The taste is difficult to describe, but they are fine berries. In the late afternoon I drove to the Friendly Beaches. Here I stayed more than an hour and was fascinated from the stones. As I had a lot of time, I tried to build a little stone man. At one place there are stones looking like floor plates, all have the same size. Here I also met some older Australians. It is interesting how many Australians come to Tasmania for vacation. At the parking I saw again a jumping wallaby. In the evening I prepared a nice dinner with the fresh vegetables.

Saturday 18^th February, 2012

Also today there were dark clouds in the sky when I started. The first stop I made in Scamander and walked along the beach. It started dripping, but did not start to rain. Then I drove over the Marys Pass at Mount Elephant. After the pass there is a restaurant which allegedly prepares the best pancakes of Tasmania. So I had to try them. It is very sympathetically that they also offer gluten free pancakes. I enjoyed my lunch here. Then I drove to Bicheno. Here there are blowholes, but unfortunately it was low tide. I looked around the rocks and went on. The destination of today came closer: Coles Bay. Yesterday I learnt that there is the Coles Bay triathlon today. The closer I got to the village, the more cyclist there were. When overtaking I had to pay attention to the cyclists ahead and the cars and cyclists coming from the opposite direction. With slow speed I slalomed into Coles Bay. As the weather looked better now, I decided to go to the Freycinet National Park. I walked to the lookout platform where could view over the Wineglass Bay. There was a path leading to the beach. As it was only 2pm I hiked down to the beach. It is interesting how turquoise the sea is also here. In the area are big, round rocks. It looks like giants have been playing marble. On the way I met two wallabies. One nearly touched me. Back from my strength and endurance training, it went up over nearly only over natural steps, I did not want yet to go back to the accommodation. So I visited the Honeymoon Bay and the Sleepy Bay. These beaches are small and sweet.