It goes without saying really, that when people travel they are going to experience and learn alot, and unless you try really hard not to (not sure why you would want to, but I guess people have their reasons), you are going to meet people. Certainly for Delia and I, we have met several people and many that we now consider our friends. With travelling, it makes you realize how small the world really is. People that we met on one track as complete strangers, we will bump into them as friends 3 weeks later in a recreation centre in a totally different area (true story). We will also meet people along our travels; miles away from home, that will know an area that is close to our home or they are possibly from an area close to home, that again, makes us again think how small the world really is. It may not seem that interesting in writing, but when you think how big the world is and how many people are in the world, what are the chances that you would meet a person in one place and meet again in a totally different place. I think what I am trying to say is that, our world is smaller than we think and we just need to take the time to realize that there are interesting people all around us, that I am sure cross our paths many times, without us even noticing - we need to take time to notice.
This concept also goes the other way, which brings me to the next part of our journey. Approximately 500m apart from each other, there were two couples planning a trip of a lifetime without the knowledge of the other. Each, frantically reading books, checking the internet, talking to friends and making phone calls, their trips were being formed. One day, in conversation, it came up of their travels, and it turns out that thousands of miles away from their home, they would be in the same place at the same time - very cool. Our neighbours and friends; Dan and Mark (literally living 500m away from us), were going to be travelling in Australia over the same period that we would be there. They were only going to be in Tasmania for 5 days and it was decided that we would meet up and travel together. They would rent a camper van, pick us up after our Overland Track in Hobart and we would travel together from there. Here is our story......or at least my version of our story.....
This concept also goes the other way, which brings me to the next part of our journey. Approximately 500m apart from each other, there were two couples planning a trip of a lifetime without the knowledge of the other. Each, frantically reading books, checking the internet, talking to friends and making phone calls, their trips were being formed. One day, in conversation, it came up of their travels, and it turns out that thousands of miles away from their home, they would be in the same place at the same time - very cool. Our neighbours and friends; Dan and Mark (literally living 500m away from us), were going to be travelling in Australia over the same period that we would be there. They were only going to be in Tasmania for 5 days and it was decided that we would meet up and travel together. They would rent a camper van, pick us up after our Overland Track in Hobart and we would travel together from there. Here is our story......or at least my version of our story.....
Just recently coming off of backpacker hostels and tents I think anything would have looked big and luxurious, but when Dan and Mark pulled up in the cadillac of motor homes, we were shocked! Wow, we get to travel in this for 5 days - cool! We didn't have a real plan and with Delia and I only being in Tassie for just over a week ourselves and the majority of that was getting to and from the Overland Track and doing the Overland Track, we did not know that much more than Dan and Mark. That's okay, planning and deciding is half the journey. We threw our "globber" into the caravan, hopped in and we were off for our 5 day adventure with the boys. We didn't really know where we wanted to go, but with Dan and Mark only being in Tassie for 5 days, they wanted to do a quick tour around - an island always looks small until you try to cover the whole ground in 5 days - not the best idea, but we were off and really - and really, anything in Tassie is gorgeous - even if some parts were really, really fast!
The plan was to head up to the top of the east side of Tasmania to see the Bay if Fires via Wineglass Bay. Then head over to Cradle Mountain (middle/north of Tasmania), down the east side of the island and back around to stay at Norfolk for the last night before heading back to Hobart. In Hobart the boys would drop us off and then head back to the airport to go back to the mainland in Australia. Sound fast and furious...?????? Oh it was!!!!! Full of adventure of course, but definitely a whirlwind of a trip. Along the first part of our journey, we looked at maps, gathered groceries and chatted - man, did we chat - with us both on amazing trips and not seeing each other for awhile, you can imagine we were all fighting for "air time" to tell our stories. All while enjoying the views -stunning! Tassie has alot to offer and just to mention one of the things that have, is they do have beautiful beaches.......unbelieveably cold, but beautiful! The sand is so white (from the quartz) and the water is so blue and on a clear day, it is hard to tell the water from the sky. Our goal was to reach the Bay of Fires area for the first night (at the north/east side of the island) to camp, but on our way up, we wanted to stop at Wineglass Bay to do a short hike. It is a very touristy spot, but it was beautiful. We did a short hike up, enjoyed the views, took some pictures and then headed off again. As we drove, we realized that heading to the Bay of Fires was too far, but we could camp not too far away in St. Helen's Camper Van Park, then head to the Bay of Fires for a walk the next morning. As it turned out, even St. Helen's for the first day of travel was too far. We stopped at a Rivers & Rock to camp as the National Park and the other caravan parks were full. These things happen when you "fly by the seat of your pants", but this is also part of this 5 day adventure - everyone knew this and it was all good. Because it was an unserviced area (no power) and wasn't really a park, the sites were free - okay, one little bonus *grin*. By the time we got there it was dinner time and we were all a little peckish, but before I go much further, I must explain something. Dan, Mark, Delia and I have been friends for awhile and we certainly enjoy each other's company, but when travelling for the first time there are sometimes questions of what each other is like and what they like. For the most part the 4 of us are all pretty easy going, so although it was not a concern, things like where do you want to sleep (top bunk, bottom bunk), what do you like to eat or what do you not like to eat, were questions that we needed to ask. Turns out, that we pretty much liked the same things which made things easy. The thing that I needed to explain, was that even though we were all easy going and we all liked similar things, Mark had a strict rule...oh dear, wondered what that could be. As he looked us in the eye with a very stern look, he told us his rule......."Okay, the only thing that I ask is that everyone stays out of the kitchen at dinner time - I will cook the all the dinners." ....hmmm..........Let me get this straight, Mark; a fabulous cook by the way, is insisting that he does all the dinners......that is definitely a rule that we could live with. So with a grin, we accepted, but did insist that we do the clean up.....and with a grin....he agreed =) Most days were filled with sight-seeing and the nights were filled with socializing and eating. With a caravan, although everything is smaller, we basically had everything that we needed. It is a good way to travel for sure.
Day 2 we made it to St Helen's Caravan Campground to camp and in the morning we headed for the Bay of Fires. The Bay of Fires is a long beach; the white sands and blue (albeit freezing) water that I was talking about, but gets it's name because of the red moss that grows on the rock that gives it a red hue to it - absolutely gorgeous! We walked along the beach and with very little encouragement (I think there was some sort of bet that was involved), Dan was in the water and being the type of person that I am, I wasn't far behind.......wwwahhhhhoooooo........cold, but sweet! Oh ya' the dip was "sans clothes" *grin*! After that, we piled back into the caravan and headed for Cradle Mountain. Delia and I were there at the beginning of our Overland Track, but there is always alot to see. The only unfortunate thing about touring quickly around the island is that it doesn't always leave time for the little things. I wanted to take the boys to the raspberry ice cream place and the cheese farm, but we had to keep going because of time. We arrived in Cradle Mountain and although it was raining, it was still beautiful. After yet another amazing dinner (flathead fish and salmon) we went into the cooking hut and met up with a family on vacation from Victoria, Australia (parents: Paul and Kathy, son; Nik and his friend; Jack). Dan played cards and there was alot of "ribbing" going on, but everyone had a good time. My particular favourite was Jack - cutie patootie. I loved Jack! He reminded me a bit of me when I was his age. When he found out that we were from Canada and we were travelling for 5 months, he was clued to us. He hung on our every word and was so interested in every place and every experience. I remember when I was in my teens and meeting people in their 30's and 40's travelling, I was in awe and I was so envious. I remember thinking how much that I wanted to travel and get out there and experience the world and that is the same look that Jack had that night. I made sure to add a few encouraging words and to make sure that he followed his dream whether anyone else was with him or not. Easy to say now that I am in my 40's, but I do remember the fear I had at the age of travelling - the unknown, but it is really nothing at all. When you are travelling, you meet so many great people and there is always someone that will help if you need - you just need to play it smart and safe, that's all - everything else will work out and you will be a better person because of it.
On Day 4...man, time flies, we headed back south on the east side of the island and did a couple of side trips along the way. We did a short hike to Nelson Falls and to the Franklin River. Both had lush forests and great views. We made our way back to Norfolk and camped, had our last dinner together and enjoyed our last night of our journey before the boys dropped us off and headed for the airport.
Although it was quick, we had a great time with the boys (hope they did too)!!! And along with all our other adventures, we can check "camping with friends in a caravan" off the list *grin*!
Day 2 we made it to St Helen's Caravan Campground to camp and in the morning we headed for the Bay of Fires. The Bay of Fires is a long beach; the white sands and blue (albeit freezing) water that I was talking about, but gets it's name because of the red moss that grows on the rock that gives it a red hue to it - absolutely gorgeous! We walked along the beach and with very little encouragement (I think there was some sort of bet that was involved), Dan was in the water and being the type of person that I am, I wasn't far behind.......wwwahhhhhoooooo........cold, but sweet! Oh ya' the dip was "sans clothes" *grin*! After that, we piled back into the caravan and headed for Cradle Mountain. Delia and I were there at the beginning of our Overland Track, but there is always alot to see. The only unfortunate thing about touring quickly around the island is that it doesn't always leave time for the little things. I wanted to take the boys to the raspberry ice cream place and the cheese farm, but we had to keep going because of time. We arrived in Cradle Mountain and although it was raining, it was still beautiful. After yet another amazing dinner (flathead fish and salmon) we went into the cooking hut and met up with a family on vacation from Victoria, Australia (parents: Paul and Kathy, son; Nik and his friend; Jack). Dan played cards and there was alot of "ribbing" going on, but everyone had a good time. My particular favourite was Jack - cutie patootie. I loved Jack! He reminded me a bit of me when I was his age. When he found out that we were from Canada and we were travelling for 5 months, he was clued to us. He hung on our every word and was so interested in every place and every experience. I remember when I was in my teens and meeting people in their 30's and 40's travelling, I was in awe and I was so envious. I remember thinking how much that I wanted to travel and get out there and experience the world and that is the same look that Jack had that night. I made sure to add a few encouraging words and to make sure that he followed his dream whether anyone else was with him or not. Easy to say now that I am in my 40's, but I do remember the fear I had at the age of travelling - the unknown, but it is really nothing at all. When you are travelling, you meet so many great people and there is always someone that will help if you need - you just need to play it smart and safe, that's all - everything else will work out and you will be a better person because of it.
On Day 4...man, time flies, we headed back south on the east side of the island and did a couple of side trips along the way. We did a short hike to Nelson Falls and to the Franklin River. Both had lush forests and great views. We made our way back to Norfolk and camped, had our last dinner together and enjoyed our last night of our journey before the boys dropped us off and headed for the airport.
Although it was quick, we had a great time with the boys (hope they did too)!!! And along with all our other adventures, we can check "camping with friends in a caravan" off the list *grin*!
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