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Took a 3hr bus ride to Launceston via the Redline coach. Along the way, we went pass some historical villages like the Ross Village. Pretty stone houses, but had no chance to get down the bus or to take photos.
Finally reached the Cornwall Transit Centre at Launceston. With a heavy backpack, I walked a long way to Hotel Tasmania which is located at the end of the city centre along Charles Street.
It's a hotel which is located above a pub and game arcade. At first look (and first feel), it's sort of sleazy. But anyway, it's one of the cheapest I can find. Was given a double room, with ensuite bathroom, and comes with a TV! (the one at Hobart has no ensuite bathroom, and there is only one TV at the lounge.) Yup, it's really a hotel, with the receptionist as an employee working there. Not much of a warmth or homely feeling.
After settling down, I went out to get my bus tickets to cradle mountain for Wednesday. Along the way, went past the malls and shops. Somehow, this place is more local..with more people, and a lot of young kids and teenagers. Somehow people here are different from Hobart.
As the bus ticket counter only opens at 3pm, I've got some time to roam around. I walked outside the city centre and chanced upon the Boarg Brewery, which is the local largest brewery in Tasmania. Also came upon the old gas factory, now it's a government welfare centre. Along the way, I saw very young couples with kids on prams, they looked barely twenty years old!
After getting the tickets, I headed to the cataract gorge. Didn't think it would be a tough walk, I wore my slippers! Ahhhhhh!!! I went thru the steep rocky path up, panting and heaving! Once again, I was reminded how I need to be fitter for such a trip!!
Cataract Gorge is weird, in the sense that it's a gorge smacked right in the centre of a city! Like you just cross a road and there you will be at the sides of the gorge.
There is a chairlift (something like a cable car) which can take you across the gorge. It costs $12 one way and $15 both ways. It's kinda weird to take the chairlift, cos just right at the bottom of the trail is a public swimming pool and a grass patch where people are having picnic!!
So i didn't take the chairlift.
I walked via the suspension bridge and saw the gorge and its water flowing through into the city tamar river.
As I walked back to the city, there were few groups of teenagers/kids which went past me. One girl asked if I've got a dollar. I said I dun think I've got coins. And she asked what about five dollars? I was like huh?! Daylight robbery? Anyway, I just said no and walked away. Such a bunch of Chao ah lians and Chao ah bengs! And within the next 5min, I met another gang, which went into a fight or rather bullying of some kids. And I'm like in the midst of the chaos?!! Argghh!
Other passerbys like the local joggers just walked past like nothing happens.
After these and my observatiosn in the city centre, I know why I felt different in here and Hobart. This place is like the Far East Plaza, while Hobart is like the Raffles City?
Anyway, went back hotel to have my dinner and back into my room to watch tv!!
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