Tasmania, Salamanka Market & Perogies

Wednesday Stuart had to work, Jenny was still off so we dropped Dalton off at the nearest Golf Course and we headed off to Richmond.  Richmond is a beautiful little town, very old buildings.  It also houses the oldest bridge in Australia.  I took the requisite pictures (of the bridge).  We wandered around the Town, looked in all the shops, beautiful art works, pottery, hand made wool sweaters, hats, scarves, etc.  We stopped at the Wine Shop for lunch....I know, I know, I would have rather stopped at the Bakery, but Jenny said we should check it out.  It was fabulous.   I had a piece of Chocolate Mouse Cake, that was to die for and Jenny had...I can't remember what she had I was drooling so much about my own dessert.  The coffee was a little strong but at that point we didn't care much.

 

Just in case you don't know what this is...it's a toilet, cute eh!!!

We got home in time to pick Dalton up...I had to be dropped off at the Dentist (oh how fun). Started having the same problem as in Maui so had to get it dealt with as quick as possible.  The Dentist thinks I have a dying nerve, I guess time will tell.  He was very good, wrote a note to carry with me for my next stop.  Anyway, now I know I don't have some rare, debilitating disease, I feel much better.

Thursday, Jenny and Stuart had to work so Dalton and I decided to do some exploring on our own.  We just started driving and sticking by the water, we headed in the direction of Port Arthur, where all the convicts were placed when they arrived from England.  We found a beautiful little place called Stuart Bay, there was a restaurant there called Taylors.  We had a table by the window, a bit too windy to sit outside, hot also.  We looked over a beautiful sheltered bay where people were water skiing.  It was fun to watch, brought back memories.  When were then presented with a gastronomic delight.  Mine was an "open beef sandwich" turned out it was a steak sandwich, I could cut it with my butter knife.  Dalton had a seafood Vul au Vont (sp), he said it was delicious.  We made it back in time to pick Jenny up from work.

This is called a Blow Hole - you can see the water from one direction and then it also comes through in blast on the left hand side.

This is a beach at Egg and Bacon Bay - imagine having that for an address.

 

The foliage is so lovely, a nice big tree in Cygnet

Friday, again we were on our own so picked the opposite direction.  I wanted to go to Cygnet, I thought that is were the Black Swans were, wrong.  However, it was a cute little town, cobble stone sidewalks, beautiful old houses and a nice place for lunch.  The food wasn't quite as good as yesterday but we still had no complaints, well not many.  The scenery was lovely the whole way.  Leaving Hobart we ran into some road work, they had a detour and it is the best thing that could have happened...we ended up driving through a very upscale neighborhood.  The houses were magnificent and the views were spectacular.  We got home in time to make dinner for the working Hagells.  David showed up to join us for dinner, Jaqui would be upset though, she wants some more of Dalton's cooking.  

Jenny and I went into Hobart for late night shopping...we both came home with new hand bags.  Stopped off at Ellie's for tea on the way home, what a great night.

Saturday morning, up early and off to the Salamanca Market.  This is a huge outdoor market, it has the best fruit and veggies and every person who makes anything has a booth.  If you can't find it there, you don't need it.  The place is packed with people, there is live music all around.  Pubs for anyone who gets tired of shopping.  It took a couple of hours to look around, there is so much to see, so many different varieties of food...only open on Saturday.  Everyone says to get there early and it is so true.

 

One of the views at the market

After the market we were invited to a work mate of Stuart's for smoked salmon and perogies (of course being Australian, nobody knew what perogies were).  Graham and Julie Saunders, the hosts had lived in Canada for quite some time, Victoria to be exact.  Julie is from back East, but we won't hold that against her.  We thought we were going out for lunch, we were, but we were also making it.  Graham had the salmon smoked but we got a lesson in perogie making, There were three other people to arrive, one from Saskatchewan if you can believe it.  One other Australian.  The Canadians outnumbered the Australians 4-3.  The food was delicious, more-so because we helped.  Dessert was a scrumptious peach and nectarine cobbler, made by Julie with no help from us.  There was a rousing game of croquet happening throughout the afternoon and evening.  Everyone was exhausted by the time we got home.  What a fun day.  No one knew what to expect, Jenny had never met Graham and Julie and Stuart had little information to give us as to what we should be taking with us.  It was so much fun.

The perogie makers, come to think of it, I look like I have already eaten my share...

Imagine having this view every day!

Tasmania at Last

We flew Virgin Air to Hobart.  Talk about an economy airlines, we even had to pay for a drink of water, we were lucky we didn't have to flap our arms.

Stuart picked us up from the airport, he was smart enough to call to see how much room he needed.  Dalton told him not to bring anyone with him to the airport and then everything would fit....those damn golf clubs.  We managed to all fit in the car with one seat laid down.   

We arrived at Stuart & Jenny's and all the kids were there, we had a lovely dinner (or tea as they call it) and it was really nice to see all the kids.  William has got rid of his dreadlocks, still on his dresser but not on his head anymore.  We finally got to meet Alana in person, had spoken to her on Skype but it's not quite the same.  David and Jaqui were here and will be moving into their new house this week-end.  Ellie came over but Cam wasn't with her, he was busy elsewhere, will meet him this week-end.  It was a very nice evening...The Tassie Hagells/Masons are great.

Tuesday was Australia Day so we went into Hobart to watch all the goings on.  This is the day when all of the immigrants around the country become Australians.  We attended a ceremony by the beach.  It is really a festival type atmosphere.  We wandered around Hobart, what a beautiful old city it is.  There are so many seafood eateries, we need some of these in Campbell River, everything is so fresh and so delicious.  

Tidbits of information

In Mosman, the price of a bundle of asparagus is $8.99...no kidding...
If we don't get out of Sydney soon we we will be broke before we even get started.

This is what you look like when you come home from an afternoon wedding in Sydney:

It was 40 degrees for most of the day, the wedding was at 5:00 - at 5:20 the wind and the rain started It came down in buckets.  Thunder and lightening crashed and a tree branch broke and fell across the grooms car...I am glad it wasn't my wedding, I would be taking that as an omen.

Taronga Zoo

We went to the Taronga Zoo, it is fabulous, somewhat smaller than the San Diego Zoo but every bit as nice and there is a new baby there, an elephant, nearly a month old.  

It was so hot on Friday that most of the animals were sleeping in the shade so we didn't see much, it was really the elephants we wanted anyway.  There was another one there that was getting hosed by one of the keepers, it was so funny to watch.

 

I have to say the giraffes have the best view of the city.

We really enjoyed everything we saw, had a nice cable car ride over the Zoo, short but sweet.

Laurieton, Kurrajong & Mossman

Laurieton is across the bay from Port Maquarie, which is the place I thought I would like to live.  In 2001, when we drove down the coast, I thought it was the nicest place I had ever seen, well Laurieton is just as nice.  The beach house owned by Kate's family was just up the hill from the most beautiful beach.  I have already posted pictures from there.  The day we arrived we got settled in and headed for the beach.  You can take your dogs to the beach before 8:00 in the morning and after 4:00 in the afternoon.  They are not welcome at all of the beaches but the ones they are allowed on have specific times, which is good as not everyone loves dogs.  Kate, Trevor and Alex have a beautiful yellow lab called "Bloomer" very well behaved and quiet, loves the water, however, and doesn't mind jumping in on you.  The beaches are nearly deserted after 4:00 so we had lots of room to run and play.  There are several rock pools to play in if you want to stay out of the waves.  

Next morning we got up early and went on a fairly long hike, remember for me all hikes are long.  It was an easy walk, paths all the way, to a place called "Perpendicular Point", named by Captain Cook.  a lovely spot where you can watch whales and dolphins play in the surf.  The views are lovely.  We had packed a lunch so we ate it at the look-out which has a large platform to sit on.  The scenery is fantastic no matter which way you look.

In the afternoon we took a trip up another mountain to see the view from there, the other side of the Town.  Beauty everywhere you look.  

After the viewpoint the guys decided to go fishing.  We found a lovely, long, beach, I swear it was 20 miles long, and we had to walk to the end of it to find just the right fishing spot.  It was hilarious to watch them trying to fish in the surf when the wind kept blowing the line back.  Dalton's first cast had him losing his footing and falling on his face in the surf...and me without a camera.  We stayed there until the son was getting ready to set and we made the long trek back, did I tell you it must have been 20 miles...

We arrived home, exhausted, had showers all around, a late dinner of pasta and to sleep at about 10:30, I think I was out before my head hit the pillow.

Next morning, Tuesday, we packed up to go to the Kurrajong Hills, closest town is Richmond, where Kate, Trevor and Alex live in a shouse (combination of a shed and a house).  They built a huge shed, larger than a three car garage which they are using until the house is built.  They have a horse, two cows, one calf, 6 goats and 2 alpacas (which they use to guard the goats).  The location is beautiful.  Kate was saying that before Christmas everything was brown, however, they got quite a bit of rain after Christmas and now everything is beautiful and green.  

Wednesday Trevor took the train to work, he is an architect in Sydney and Kate and Alex took Dalton and I into Mosman where we are staying until we fly to Tasmania on Monday.

On the way into town, we got pulled over by the police as Prince William's motorcade was going by.  He has been in Australia for a few days, we didn't have any time to spend with him though as we were too busy. 

To the Beach House at Laurieton

Sunday morning, we got up at 7:00 and headed to the beach house owned by Kate's family.  It was supposed to be a three hour trip but with all of the stops we finally made it in 6.  The weather was spectacular, the scenery was unbelievable.  We stopped for gas in the little town of Walcha.  It is a beautiful, tidy, little town.  All of the yards were very well kept.  

The next place we stopped was to see a waterfall, now that there has been so much rain the water was really roaring down.  It was pretty spectacular to see.  We wandered around for a bit, walked down to all of the view points.

Next we stopped at a little place called Ginger's for coffee.  Just a small little place with a few tables, good food and a great place to take a break.  The road is quite winding so the driver can get quite tired after awhile, especially keeping a running commentary as she is driving along.

We finally made it to the beach house.  No beach house like I have ever seen.  Very large, bigger than our house and the view from it is spectacular.  However, withing 1/2 hour of our arrival, we have a storm.  This time thunder and lightening.  I said we should hire ourselves out during the dry season.  We have been here about 1 1/2 hours now and the sun is shining again.  What can I say, this is a great country.

 

From Sydney to Walcha

Trish picked us up at the Hotel on Friday at 10:30 and took us to her place.  We re-arranged our belongings so we didn't have to take everything with us as we were going up-country to visit Kate, Trevor and Alex, more friends from Dalton's days of living here (except for Alex, she is 10, soon to be 11).

Trevor picked us up at Trish's house at 4:00 and we started our 5 hour journey to Walcha. Sallywood is the name of the property we were at.  It is a large ranch owned by Kate's brother Jim.  We spent two nights there.  The first morning after we arrived, Kate decided we should go walking about the ranch, she wanted to show us some views.  She didn't tell me, however, that the views were to be seen from the top of a mountain.  I only made it about 3/4 of the way to the top, almost straight up, thought I was going to fall a few times but I did manage to get quite a long way up, the views were spectacular.  Getting down was even harder than going up.  I don't know why I have to lose all my weight in two days. 

When we got back to the ranch, it started to rain.  Dalton and I are going to hire ourselves out as rainmakers, they really need it and we seem to be able to provide it.   Kate cooked a beautiful lamb dinner.  I know, I was surprised how much I liked it, maybe it was all the walking, I don't know the reason but it was damn good.  

A day with Kim and Sandy

Today we met Kim an Sandy for breakfast.  Dalton worked with both of them at different times in Vancouver.  Sandy was working on a project in Sydney but is on his way home.  They came to our hotel and then we walked to the Queen Victoria, it is a big, old, shopping centre.  All floors are built around an open courtyard type area.  There are eateries all around the centre court so you can look around the building while you are eating your breakfast (in our case).  It is a fabulous old building and is filled with the most expensive stores.  I have never seen so much bling on so many shoes in my life.

After exploring the Queen Victoria, we went to the Strand, which is another old building converted to a shopping centre.  Again, I walked around with my mouth agape.  We walked through Hyde Park, looked at the huge War Memorial and continued on to Kim and Sandy's to have a look at the apartment they are staying in.  The apartment is very nice, you get a small view of the Sydney Opera House and the rent is $900.00 a week.  Sydney is a very expensive place to live.

We continued on our walking excursion to a place called "The Rocks".  Another very nice place, lots of stores, some quite touristy.  We went to a lovely Italian Restaurant where we were serenaded by a harp and a guitar, quite neat..and yes there was someone playing the instruments.  

After dinner we walked all the way home.  I am sure we put on at least ten miles, maybe more.  The only way to get around is to walk, there is so much traffic, and all on the wrong side of the road.  On each intersection, on the street is painted the words "look to the right", I can imagine there have been a few accidents on the intersections with people stepping off the curbs when a car is coming around the corner.

This is the view from Kim and Sandy's apartment, you can see the Opera House peeping through the high rises.

Sydney at Last

We left Maui at 5:30 on Monday evening (the 11th), flew from Honolulu at 9:45, arrived in New Zealand at 5:45 and left for Sydney at 6:30, no waiting at the airport.  We arrived in Sydney at 8:00, out of the terminal by 9:30.  Everything went smoothly, except when we arrived and they took one look at Dalton's golf shoes, they had to be thoroughly cleaned before we could enter.

All of the flights were great.  I don't know how I can manage only flying via Air New Zealand, but if I could that would be my airline of choice.  The takeoffs and landings were the best I have ever experienced and the food was really good.  They fed us dinner at 11:00 p.m. and we had two choices, I had chicken primavera  and Dalton had braised beef with mashed potatoes and gravy.  We were very impressed and you know Dalty...  We had two breakfasts, one was scrambled eggs and sausage or cereal with yogurt and fresh fruit and the other was pancakes and bacon with apple honey syrup....We ate them both and enjoyed every mouthful.  They even gave us cutlery that we could actually use, not the cheap stuff that you get with Air Canada.  The dishes were also much better quality.  Made you want to snitch a set just to show it off.

The neck pillows that Rebecca gave us were very much appreciated on the flight from Hawaii to New Zealand, they did supply blankets and pillows, but you know what they say about airline stuff!!!

We are at the Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown Sydney, waiting for our friend Trish to come and join us for lunch, she is going to put up with us for a few days while we are here and also look after all of our stuff while we visit the rest of the friends in and around the area.  This hotel room, that we have for 2 nights is larger than the one we just spent 8 nights in in Maui.  We are spreading our wings.  

It is hard to believe that we have finally made it.  Seems like a long time in the planning.  The weather is only 26 so not scorching today, great for sightseeing on foot.  Pictures to follow. 

Whale Watching in Maui

Today Dalton was under the weather....tummy problems.  I, however, went whale watching and I have never seen so many whales.  Humpbacks here...Orca's don't hang out here very much, only pass through.

My camera was shooting away, however, the sun was so bright so I was basically just aiming and shooting.  Firstly, the battery died to soon and when I got home and was able to view my take of the day, nary a good one.  It was such a beautiful day, the boat wasn't full which made it even nicer because you could get right up to the railing with no one in front.  We may go out on Monday before we leave.  We fly out of here at 5:30 and out of the main terminal at 9:45 so we have the day to play.  We will be ready to sleep when we get on the plane to Australia.  I guess we just touch down in New Zealand first, news to me.

Gas prices are pretty high here 373.9 a gallon.  It is not cheap to live here but the weather sure is nice.

Well, yesterday Dalton said he had the second best day of his life...he went golfing with Michael....The obviously had a great time, Dalton won! Manon and I drove them to the course and then we travelled all around the area.  We went to a couple of small towns and walked up and down the streets, meandering into art galleries and glass blowing places.  It was very interesting, from a non artistic point of view.

We went to the bluffs to watch the surfers ride the big waves.  We got there just before the ambulance arrived to take one of them away, snapped his surfboard in half.  It was pretty amazing to watch, but I am glad I didn't know anyone participating...it's scary!!
 

After we left there we went to another small town, I don't have the map with me so I can't tell you the name of it.  We wandered around all the shops and galleries, Manon is the Curator of the Campbell River Art Gallery.  We found an Ice Cream Shoppe so had to imbibe, (there was someone behind us twisting the arms).  While we were waiting to cross the street (lights are very long there) someone in a large souped-up white truck, about 3 back from the intersection, held one foot on the gas and the other on the break.  At first we thought someone was speeding and couldn't stop fast enough but the noise wouldn't stop, there was a huge cloud of smoke around him and as he continued the cloud grew larger and larger.  

When the light finally changes he was squeeling around the corner and he blew a tire, everyone applauded. Later when we were leaving town we saw that the cops had him surrounded.  Such is life in a small Hawaiian town.

Maui at Last

It only took me 61 years but I finally made it to Hawaii.  The flight to Maui was really nice, weather was beautiful and clear, the flight only took about 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, I came down with a type of virus, in my face (of all places). The left side if my face from my temple to the middle of my jaw was in pain.  Dalton took me to the doctor and he couldn't think what could possibly have happened, only slight swelling but the pain was incredible.  He gave me a prescription for antibiotics which I take with 600 mg. of Ibuprofin, three times a day for the next 10 days.  I spent all day yesterday in bed.

Dalton has been going out walking with Mike Staiger, and for those who know Mike, he is a very fast walker, Dalton is now two inches shorter than when we left home.

Today I was feeling much better so we went to find a good snorkel place, however, it was quite murky, so we just went to Big Beach and fought with the waves.  

Dalton and I just have a small Studio room, very small, we have a fridge, microwave, toaster over, hot plate, coffee pot, small table with two chairs and larger livingroom type chair.  The shower is really nice, large and all tile.  We have been having our dinners at Mike and Manon's or John and Tracy's because they have a one bedroom suite, much more room.  There are bbqs down by the the pool areas which were used the last couple of days but tonight we had Ahi Tuna and prawns, didn't need the bbq.  Delicious.  

Dalton is already in bed so I am going to join him, looking forward to tomorrow. 

Hawaii (big Island)

We were very excited this morning, up at 6:00 and at the airport at 7:00 - very early for Campbell River, the cook was the only one there...we got to have breakfast before anyone else arrived.  Connie (our house-sitter) drove us to the airport, Warren arrived shortly thereafter, we were quite surprised by his early attendance, I guess he thought he better see us off as it will be a long time before he sees us again...not on skype.

We were the only two people leaving the Campbell River Airport at 9:00 a.m. - we got the royal treatment, we both got patted down.   After all of the problems at the airports lately, we decided we would be very cautious.  Considering all of the talk they were very lax at the YVR, much to our surprise.  We could have had our carry on and Dalton could have had his computer case.  The customs officer was really nice, told us that Hawaii was closed and we couldn't get in...didn't think they had a sense of humour.  

We arrived safe and sound in Hawaii, took an hour to get a shuttle and get to the hotel.  We checked in, ditched our bags and did a walking tour of the area.  Had dinner at a little pub close to the hotel and it is now midnight - have to hit the sack as we have to get to Maui tomorrow...then the holiday will really begin.  Hope they bring two cars to pick us up at the airport.