Thursday 9^th February, 2012

I was quite tired when the ship cruise started. From Strahan we went to the Hells Gates. There is the entry from the sea to Macquarie Harbour. In that area I could see many light houses. Then the trip went along fish farms. In the open water the fishes are breed in cages. Then we went up Gordon River. This is the biggest river in Tasmania. We passed a very beautiful landscape and could see very old trees. Our first stop was at Heritage Landing. There was a board walk of 30 minutes. Interestingly there grow young trees out of fallen old ones. The trees seam to take as long to decompose as they need to grow. Our trip continues to Sarah Island. These island was cleared and a prison constructed on it. The ruins are still there. After 60 minutes the ship went back to Strahan. After a break I made a walk along the banks of Macquarie Harbour. On the way I saw a sign pointing to the Hogarth Fall. As it was raining last night the waterfall was wonderful.

Wednesday 8^th February, 2012

Now starts my journey around Tasmania. In the morning at the car rental office they told me that they currently do not have a car in the category I booked. I could choose between a bigger one (a minivan) or a smaller one. I originally wanted to rent a smaller one, but they said that the smaller ones are all with manual gearshift and I wanted an automatic one. But this information turned out to be wrong, so I got a smaller car with automatic gearshift. After buying food for a week I started toward the west coast. Of my drive toward Strahan I can only say: Tasmania has a lot of water and hills which change over to mountains. The road is like a pass road in Switzerland and I felt like I am arriving at the end of the world. Most of the 320km I drove today as in different National Parks. In Hobart I bought a pass for them as here I have to pay for every day in an National Park. The first real stop I made at Lake St. Clair. I made a short walk, but I nearly could not see upon the lake. When driving further, I saw several echindas. They were walking fast. One of them just crossed the road in front of me and fetched the camera, but until I was ready it was already on the other side and curled up. Next stop was Nelson Fall. A short walk led to it. After I continued with a few picture stops until Strahan. That is the only harbour at the west coast.

Tuesday 7^th February, 2012

During breakfast I was asked by a hostel staff what I will do today. As it was sunny I was thinking about going up to Mount Wellington to enjoy the view. He explained me that there are three possibilities to get there. First with the car, but I do not have one. Second with the tourist bus, but there I just have 20 minutes time up there and I pay a lot. The third possibility is to go with the public bus to Ferntree and to hike up for two hours and then back down again. As I had time and the weather was good I chose variant 3. Later it turned out to be not the best one. I went by bus to Ferntree. There I asked in a shop how to get to Mount Wellington and they explained me the way. Following different pathes I hiked uphill. As long as it goes up it must be right. It got higher and higher and I could view out into the country. Slowly the clouds gathered and a light shower started. But the sun was back soon and I went on. Then the rain started again, but this time stronger. I was not sure if I should continue. After 10 minutes of thinking, the sun was back again. OK, lets go to the summit. A bit below an Australian told me that here is the best view. I sat down and enjoyed it. We talked a little. As soon as I arrived on the top, the rain started again. Still I viewed the sight and then stood below the roof of a hut. The rain did not stop anymore. Some guys which passed me when going up were looking for a lift. I thought this is a good idea and asked a man in about my age if he is driving to Hobart. He is from Hobart so I could join him on the way back. On the way he told me that it is in Tasmania quite difficult to find a job. Many go to the mainland to work. But they are missing nursing personnel like in all Australia. Back in Hobart it was sunny again. According to this nice young man the weather is very annoying this summer. It was not a real summer so far. In the late afternoon the rain came back all the time, so that I went into a museum about Antarctica.

Monday, 6^th February 2012

Today I was sightseeing in Hobart. In the town there live more than 200'000 people, but the atmosphere here is very relaxed. I walked from Salamaca Place up ot Battery Point. Battery Point has its name from the canons which got installed here in the 18^th century. Still today you can see old houses here. In the close by park I had a nice view to the sea. Then I took the tourist bus to the Tasmania Botanic Garden. I stayed some time in this gorgeous park and enjoyed the wonderful trees and flowers. Back in town I made a walk along the harbour. As it was already noon, many of the fishing boats were already back. Then I strolled along the shopping street and had a look at the fashion of Australia. Now I have already seen the most important things of Hobart.

Sunday, 5^th February, 2012

I flew to Sydney after Petra and I had to depart in the airport of Melbourne. Once arrived I got into the city by train and then by taxi to my new home in Woollahra. That is half way between center and Bondi Beach. Thomas welcomed me as he was on duty. After lunch Andreas joined us. He slept in. In the afternoon he guided me to downtown. I learned that I have to take bus 389 which stops just in front of our house. I bought a big city map to be able to orientate myself. With the ferry we departed between Harbour Bridge and the opera house, heading towards Watsons Bay. On the way we saw the house where Petra and I will live after beginning of April. OK, we did not know exactly which one was it, but it must be one on the west side of Double Bay. After we left the ferry we went walking. From the South Head we enjoyed the view back to downtown and out into the Tasmanian Sea. The bus brought us back via the crowded Bondi Beach. And tomorrow I have to start working.