Tassie Update

I've officially driven 3000 Km in the last 7 days. Between New Zealand and Tasmania, I'm gonna be really confused when I have to drive on the right side of the road.

We spent the 4th of July in Franz Josef, NZ. We met up with my friend Anna (who was teaching in NZ) and her family. The Americans celebrated by being in New Zealand, and watching the Australian State of Origin Rugby final (NSW won!!!). Too funny. Walked up to the Franz Josef Glacier the next day and drove all the way back to Christchurch. New Zealand= Sheep, green, and winding roads that close often.

Caught an early flight on the 6th back to Sydney. Managed to get in when TWO 747s from LAX arrived (one late) and nearly missed our connecting flight to Melbourne due to Customs delays. The travel gods were smiling because we got pulled out of the line and stamped through just in time to make our flight.

Allan met me and Anthony in Melbourne (what a saving grace that was!). We were so wiped out we just showered, did some email stuff, and ate before he dropped us off at the dock to catch the Spirit of Tasmania. Yes, I was on my first cruise ship. One night, slept in a really nice chair, had annoying girls talking all night long.

Tassie has been amazing. We got to pet Tasmanian Devils (Okay just one but he was not at all what I expected) and learned a ton about the facial tumors that are killing the population. They'll be endangered soon and could be extinct in 10 years. I saw St. Columba Falls (biggest falls in Tasmania), Cradle Mountain (big Tasmanian icon), Lake St. Clare, Port Arthur (big time male convict jail), The Female Factory (the women's jail), and tons of the city. I safely avoided adding any more roadkill, and even saw a wild Tasmanian Devil and a Quoll, and countless little things that are related to the wallaby and whose name I can't remember.

I have to catch a shuttle to the Hobart Airport tomommor morning at 4:45 to catch my flight. I'm off to Airlie Beach! After 10 days of rain, I'm going to be a beach bum. Not sure if I'll be able to scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef (my sinuses have been crap) but I will at least snorkle some.

That's all for now. I've got heaps of photos to post but will have to wait until I get back to Newcastle.

Cheers!
-Jessica

New Zealand!!

Hi all! I'm three days into my New Zealand adventure. It has been absolutely amazing. The mountains are amazing, there are more sheep than people, and our little car (Suzuki Swift) is great.

We spent the first two nights in Wellington at our friend Anna's house. She's also teaching from UW and we had a great time. Part of her family came the day before we left for the South Island and we may meet up with them in our travels!

We're at a hostel in Te Anau and tomorrow we do a tour of Milford Sound. Not sure exactly what a Sound is, but I promise to take lots of photos and ask lots of questions.

I've got my plane ticket home so I will officially be making it back to the STP. (And there was much rejoycing) YAY.

That's all I have time for. These internet things are expensive.

Bye!!!