Wildlife, at long last

Cradle Mountain National Park, Tasmania

Yesterday, we drove across 3/4 of Tasmania to Cradle Mountain.

The east coast is fairly arid, with forests of Eucalyptus and much brush. On our last night on the east coast, we went on a penquin tour and got to see the penguins they call "fairy" or "tiny" come in from the sea in the evening and go to their burrows. These darling little penquins are only as tall as my knee. They once lived all along the southern coast of Australia and the northern and eastern coast of Tasmania but development has helped kill them off. We visited a penquin sanctuary where they are trying to protect them and increase their numbers.

So, then we drove to Cradle Mountain. This area is much more wet and lush than the east coast. The forests are more like rain forests, filled with ferns and moss.

Along the way, we saw our first wildlife - in nature. An echnida crossed the road. We stopped the camper and got out to watch him. Echnidas must be cousins of porcupines. They are round little brown fur balls with white quills. They have a long yellow nose which they use to dig their food - termites.

When we pulled into our campground, I saw a wombat disappear into the bushes. I always thought they were small, like guina pigs. Turns out, they are over 2 feet long. They, too, are round and brown. By the time Mel could stop the camper, she was gone. (Campground owner said it's a "she.")

Then, last night, I went to the ladies bathroom. As I left, a "cheeky" bushtail possum went in to examine the ladies room. (They look nothing like American possums. More like a monkey but with a sweet pointed face.) Mel came out of the men's bathroom just in time to see the possum leave the ladies room.

We took a hike today around a lake in the national park. Everyone told us it was a 6k walk, perfectly flat. I think they mean if you average out the hundreds of stairs that go up (both wooden platform steps and stone) with the hundreds that go down, the average is flat. The hike sure wasn't but it was at the foot of Cradle Mountain and it was spectacularly gorgeous.

I need to go rest my aching legs!
Love,
Janet

The People ... and the wildlife

Both in New Zealand and here in Australia, the helpfulness, interest, humor and overall goodwill is spectacular. Whether it be people working in cafes or national parks, stores, or on the trails, it is just good fun to meet people from these countries as well as travelers from other countries. The locals quickly involve themselves and suggest things you ought to see. They tease. They share. They have stories. Last night at the bistro just before the National Park boundry, an elderly woman from Vancoucver who was English by birth came over to show us her digital camera, told us her life story, and what great fun she was having. It is great fun. And a bit of work traveling ... but oh so worth it.

Cheers and hugs - Mel