Kangaroo Crossing

Yep, that's what the sign said, "Kangaroo Crossing." And, in one place, "Penguin crossing." But, so far, we haven't seen either. (I am always reminded of Susan Stanburg who, in the early years of NPR was quite funny, and who once did a list of "Things I've always wanted to ask," like, "How does the deer know to cross at the posted signs?"

Anyway, we flew to Tasmania two days ago. Since it is an island, I keep forgetting that it is a state of Australia and I refer to it as a "country" but it is not. It is still mostly unspoiled with 1/3 of the state preserved as national parkland. So, we are going from national park to national park and skiping cities (of which there are only two) and towns entirely.

We're traveling up the east coast and plan to head west tomorrow. On the far southeast coast, we went to Tasman National Park. It has no roads into it, just walking paths, but its most notable feature is its coastline which contains two kinds of rock - soft, sedimentary rock that has formed over the centuries into caves and pillars, and a harder form of rock that pushed up from the earth's center during a shift in the techtonic plates. We took a boat tour with a young man who was passionate about ecology and learned a great deal. We saw a great, white sea eagle (which looks like our bald eagle but the white extends down over the chest), lots of gannets, black-headed cormorants and terns. The most amazing sight was the Australian fur seals. At first, we saw them sunning on some rocks. Then, we noticed a feeding frenzy taking place and went towards it. The seals were going after a huge school of fish. In so doing, we saw them jumping in the air in a manner that I have never seen. I would have thought they were dolphins from their behavior. We also saw the schools of fish fleeing from something underwater and all jumping into the air at once.

We went on to Freycinet National Park further north, which Mel will describe.

We have rented a camper/van that is much larger than the one we had in New Zealand. We had ordered the other but they ran out and upgraded us. It has a real engine so Mel doesn't have to suffer the indignity of being passed by every vehicle on the road. It has a lovely kitchen and a decent-sized bathroom. The campgrounds are not as nice as in NZ but ok.

My cough has finally begun to really subside so we are able to take long walks (or, as they are called here, ambles). I think in Australia and New Zealand, if you are not using ropes and petons, it's a "walk" no matter how steep or rocky!

Miss you all.
Janet