Van Journal Week 9: Another lap around the sun

Van Journal Week 9: Another lap around the sun

Another week in Tasmania and another lap around the sun for me. Birthdays are always a good time to reflect and as I turned 27 this week I thought about how lucky we are to be in Tasmania. I think that a small isolated island at the end of the world is not the worst place for a global pandemic.

But privileges of this magnitude are not without their grievances. This week the virus wreaked havoc across the Indian subcontinent. The widespread death, fear and subsequent lockdowns were a reality for so many, but felt more distant than ever before. This week my thoughts were with the people of India and Nepal. The people of these lands have stolen a piece of my heart and I know their undying optimism and love of life will get them through this.

My privileges didn’t end with my Covid-free location. I was also very fortunate to be surrounded by amazing people the week of my 27th birthday. This time our third and (for now) last visitor came to explore Tasmania with us in our van. Kim, Haylea's cousin, had traveled with us on other adventures including Sri Lanka and Europe, so it was great that she was keen to try Tassie too!

Evil cheese factory

Week 9 of our van travel around Tasmania was pretty fast paced, but not our usual style of travel. To be honest, I didn't mind the change and it was refreshing to experience things at the regular tourist pace.

Kim's first stop off the plane was a wine and cheese platter at the Wicked Cheese Factory at 11am. Haylea wanted to surprise her cousin with a little treat and I certainly wasn't complaining.
alt=“HOBART CHEESE TOUR, EXPERIENCES, SIGHTS”>

Back to Launceston: Cataract Gorge

I left the planning and adventures to Haylea this week and she did a great job. Directly from the cheese dairy we take the highway back to Cradle Country. On the way we stopped in Launceston and checked out Cataract Gorge, a picturesque gorge with lots of short walks and trails outside of town.

We finished the day with a stop in Chudleigh, a quick pit stop before the Cradles.

• alt=“CATARACT-SCHLUCHT IN LAUNCESTON TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“KIM UND HAYLEA KATARAKTSCHLUCHT“>
• alt=“CATARACT-SCHLUCHT IN TASMANIEN“>

A quick stop at Cradle Mountain

At daybreak we set off again towards Cradle Mountain. Unfortunately we were on a tight schedule as Kim only had a few days in Tasmania, but we still managed to squeeze in some short scenic hikes around Dove Lake and the surrounding rainforest trails of Cradle Mountain.

I was treated to perfect weather on my birthday at Cradle Mountain, followed by a great night by the fire at nearby Lake Gairdner.

• alt=“CRADLE MOUNTAIN TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“CRADLE MOUNTAIN MYRTLE WÄLDER IN TASMANIEN“>

Back to Launceston & Old Mac’s Farm

A quick stop at Cradle Mountain and we were back on the road towards Hobart. We plan on returning to Cradle Mountain, so we weren't too stressed about not seeing everything it had to offer.

But first the girls enjoyed a bit of girl time as they went on a horseback ride at Cradle Mountain Adventures and stopped off in Launceston for a mini shopping spree while I locked myself in the van and caught up on some blog work.

We camped just outside Launceston again, but this time at Old Mac’s Farm.

• alt=“LLAMMA IM ALTEN MACS TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“PFERD IN TASMANIEN“>
• alt=“LLAMMA IM ALTEN MACS TASMANIEN“>

Mona

The next day we drove back to Hobart. Unfortunately the weather wasn't on our side this time, so we booked tickets for MONA.

MONA was undoubtedly one of the strangest experiences I have had while traveling. I really can't describe MONA in words and I think that's exactly what the curators wanted.

• alt=“MONA“>
• alt=“Mona Hobart“>

Saying goodbye to Hobart

On Kim's last night we had an absolutely epic meal at Da Angelos Restaurant on Battery Point. It was nice to treat ourselves and the pizzas definitely lived up to expectations.

We said goodbye to Kim the next day. It was a great week in Tassie and we were both sad to see her go. But Haylea and she were already planning the next trip and I have a feeling she will be back sooner than she first thought!

Haylea and I also said goodbye to Hobart this week. It had served as a great base for back and forth over the last few weeks, but it was time to venture deeper into Tassie's wild side!
alt=“HAYLEA AND KIM”>

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