TASMANIA

Enjoying some coco to warm up.

This last weekend, we took the opportunity to go to Tasmania.  Claire has been lobbying to go see Tasmania since we moved here and I was finally able work it into the schedule.  The girls are not out of school yet so we needed to take them out for two days to make it happen.  They were happy to miss school and really happy to see all that Tassie has to offer.

I have met a wonderful friend at church who was born and raised in Tassie. She was sweet to share some of her highlights/must-sees with us.  I tried to plan our trip closer to summer because it can be quite cold in Tassie considering it is just 3000 Kilometers from Antarctic.

We arrived in Hobart Thursday morning and it was quite cold and wet.  We decided to spend the morning in and around Battery Point.  The streets of Battery Point look like they are from a little coastal village in England somewhere.  We had such a good time walking the streets and looking at all of the charming houses despite the drizzle coming down from the sky.

Street in Hobart

After spending an afternoon in Hobart, Tasmania, we drove to the Tasman Peninsula.  We stayed at a lovely little lodge that had individual cabins in the bush.  However, it was surrounded by the gorgeous rocky coastline. Best of both worlds - beach and mountains.





Friday morning bright and early, we headed out on a Wilderness Adventure.  We spent three hours on a boat learning and observing all we could about the jagged, rugged, beautiful coastline of the Tasman Peninsula.  However, as we were on our three hour tour, we discovered that 3 of the 5 of us suffer from some extreme motion-sickness.  Due to this minor issue, which became a major issue considering we had stormy conditions with 4 metre swells, it was touch and go for a bit - more touch than go.  Three of us were quite happy when we pulled into port and could get off of the boat.  Grace and I could have stayed on that boat all day - we had a lovely trip.

Here are some pictures of what we saw....unbelievable.

Before the fun began....sick tummies :(

Port Arthur - this was a prison a long time ago.

Cormorants Birds that look like penguins but are not like them because they don't swim.

Seals, we saw Australian Seals and New Zealand seals.

Waterfall emptying into Waterfall Bay

After a day and a night on the Tasman Peninsula, we drove north along the coast towards Wineglass Bay.  It is a Bay that is located in Freycinet National Park and it is stunning as well.  Our accommodations in this part of Tasmania looked like they were part of the English countryside.  It was a cute little cabin with stone walls, a wood-burning stove, and just picturesque.  We truly enjoyed our two days up there despite the occasional downpour.  We spent many hours combing the beach for all kinds of treasures.

Our cabin

Our view from our back porch.

Treasure One - Don't worry we did not pick these up.

Tom made us a fire - what a great hubby and daddy.

We went to Wineglass Bay and stopped at a lighthouse to admire the amazing view - it was a bit windy and cold.

Jane's holding the lighthouse in her hand.

Some of the vineyards that we passed on our way to Wineglass Bay.

Overall we had a memorable trip that was full of many firsts and lots of laughter.  We really enjoyed Tasmania and would not mind going back.  We will definitely pack more warm clothes though - many layers are needed.  Jane was thrilled to be able to pick-up another stuffed animal to add to her collection (addiction).  A penguin - named Arthur - Thanks Tassie.

LOVEBOAT

The Captain and his Skippers.

Ever since we started this adventure, I am always looking for ways for us to see, do and experience this exciting place that we live.  The coastlines are beautiful and often you cannot see the beauty without the occasional opportunity of viewing it from the water.

This last weekend, I had made arrangements for us to rent a boat and go out on the water to see the landscape that surrounds Booker Bay.  Booker Bay is about an hour drive North of Sydney towards the Central Coast.  It is a lovely bay with gorgeous bush-lands and exquisite homes.  We had arranged to rent a "LITTLE" boat for half of a day so we needed to be at the boathouse by 9 am Saturday morning.  The girls were less than thrilled to have their beauty sleep interrupted (this includes me) but, it was worth the early wake up call.  


We headed out on the water and piddled around the bay in our little dingy for 2 hours.  We laughed, watched clouds, ate snacks, picked out our favorite houses,  and just soaked up the beauty.  The girls were quite sad that I had not brought bait and fishing equipment, but, I promptly reminded them that if we caught any fish, they would need to clean them.  They immediately made the YUCKY face and were happy with the quiet, beauty that we experienced.  Many times, I am happy that I have little "HORMONAL" girls!

Grace making us LAUGH!

Captain is photobombing.

Captain Manning of the Loveboat!

Cruise Director Mom & Jane are still waking up....I hate early mornings.

Jane becoming Happier as the morning goes.

The two early birds  - we are glad to have them in our family because they help us in the morning.

BOO!

A cute ghost, NC STATE volleyball player, and a BABY.

CLAIRE

GRACE & JANE

Halloween happens to be one of my favorite holidays.  Not because I am a pagan or like devilish behavior but, because it is a fun, humorous night that you are encouraged to play dress-up.  I have tons of Halloween decorations and items to help us have a SPOOKTACULAR experience.  When we found out that we were moving Australia, Tom suggested that I try to simplify our lives and leave behind items that we DON'T need.  Well Halloween decorations fell into this category because we were not sure if they even celebrated this holiday. 

Shortly after arriving, my kids did some investigative work and discovered that some Australians DO celebrate Halloween but, it is on a much smaller scale.  I was completely bummed that I did not bring my Halloween paraphernalia.  So I decided that I would do my best to make Halloween an enjoyable experience despite missing all our Spooky Supplies.

Carving - We miss our specialized carving kit!

Beginning the YUCKY part...

I planned a SPOOKY meal for us to eat and we watched "GHOSTBUSTERS" after Grace and Jane went trick- or- treating on street close by our house. 

Our Meal

The girls with their friend Jada "The Minion".