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It was the first day out for trip and I'm exhausted. Hint of getting old, so if you are keen to come tassie, pls keep yourself fit! Hahaha!
The van picked me up at 0715. Had some simple breakfast at the hotel and rushed out.
The group had only three people - a Hong Kong old couple and me.
First stop- Huon valley. Visited the (probably) second tallest tree in the world, the tallest tree in Australia/Tasmania.
Next we proceed to the Tahune Airwalk. By the Huon river, we walked through the forest and got on the hanging bridge, or so call the airwalk. Walking through the canopy, the guide explained some of interesting plants. Like the sassafras which was a replacement for spices, used for anesthetic in dentistry, and boiled as "high" tea in the past for the timbre workers. Note high means high in hallucinating. Interesting part of the walk is the cantilever. That's the highest end of the bridge, and you can feel the swinging (up and down) as you walk! From the same point, you will be able to see quite a few mountain peaks such as hoartz mountain where it's spring water is bottled as mineral water in Hobart!
Then we proceed on to the adjacent trail- Huon pine trail. Along the trail of forest, Huon pines line by the river. The guide also told us about the living things that can be found in the forest...liar bird, echidna..(see pic)
We then travelled an hour plus to Hastings cave. Before that, we went by a short spring walk. I was expecting a spring pool as the itinerary suggested "a thermal pool"! Ah noooo.. It's a swimming pool fed by the spring water!
Into the Hastings caves, we saw stalagmites (and whats-not) formed by rain water dripping through the cracks of the caves and all the chemical reactions (I heard carbon dioxide, carbon carbonate etc). And formed bit by bit for million years. Amazing formation of nature. Refer to pic for how the caves were discovered.
As I thought the trip is over, the guide suggested we go to a waterfall- Snug Waterfall. I thought it's going to be a waterfall, then it's just a waterfall. But...
We have to trek 30-min down to the lowest point of a valley. Slippery rocks and stones paved the way as it has been rainy for the past few days. Going down wasn't easy! And the phobia of slipping/spraining clouded my mind, yet I've to catch up with the guide cos he's really walking fast, or rather he was just skipping down! And the pressure of falling behind old people? Argghh!!
Finally reached. Ok lor, like the wow wow type. But ya, waterfall...
Going up is another challenging task. Breathless! Ahhhhhh!!
Then finally got back to hotel at 5 plus. It's still bright and sunny!!
Bathed and headed out again. Myself.
Today's weather had been better. And so, I can take my own time, at my own pace to stroll around the town!
Went behind my hotel, discovered a bookshop! But it was closed...
Then walked through Murray street, Liverpool street, Collins street. Had a craving for hot soup! Sigh.. But none.
I succumbed to Chinese dumplings soup noodle. Yucky dumplings with thick skin. Nonetheless I got my soup.
With a warm stomach, the walking began. Found the old buildings- the gas company, the wool factory, the jam factory etc... All defunct now. But interesting architecture. You can well imagine how bustling the place used to be. Then came to the Victoria dock and constitution dock. Where yachts lie around. Quiet place with seagulls flying around. (see pic)
Then I walked back to the city area. With the good weather, I managed to take pic of the old buildings like the treasury, the churches, the law firms now...
Realised theres a domino pizza next to my hotel. Wanted some hot fries, ended up with an incredible lava cake! Yummy!!
Then came back hotel at 9pm. Sky had just turned dark.
Went to the common lounge area, wanted to update this but ended up talking to a Swedish guy and the lady boss. A nice way to chat and hear interesting stories!
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