Meeting Meryl

Let it go
It was a grey, rainy-ish day yesterday in Sydney so I went to the movies to finally see Meryl Streep in August: Osage County. It’s about a family reunion, and Meryl plays a sick pill addict. Prime stuff, like only she can do. It’s creepy, she’s so far out…. just brilliant. It won’t happen now, […] Read More

Darlinghurst home

Let it go
The flight was good, then I took the train from the airport, which got me into the center pretty fast. I dragged my luggage to my new temporary home – through Sydney’s rather old, elevator-less metro, saving the cab fare. I’m pretty central, very close to Oxford Street, in a little Airbnb home, with two […] Read More

On the convict trail

Let it go
I drove out East this morning, my goal being the Port Arthur penal settlement, or the ruins that are left of it. It’s roughly 100 kilometers, if you don’t do any detours. But detours I had planned plenty. First stop: Richmond. A tiny cute little town, basically a couple of houses along the main street. […] Read More

Tasmanian Devils

Let it go
The Tasman peninsula around Port Arthur, place of Tasmania’s convict site, is separated from the main island by a little canal. This canal is most useful today, in rescuing the Tasmanian devil from extinction. The poor little thing has cancer… in the face! It’s spread by infected cells, through bites during feeding and mating (ouch). […] Read More

Salamanca Market

Let it go
I love the markets. This one was recommended everywhere, and I expected a little local market, but it was indeed big, all along the Salamanca Market front and up the street along the park. Mostly local produce, berries, honey, vegetables, and local craft… Tasmania is big into wood, so there were lots of stands with […] Read More

On top

Let it go
I’m so glad I got the car. Driving is really ok, she windscreen wiping problem persists, but is under control. So I drove up the mountain, all the way to the top. Ok, I could have hiked. But it was 30 degrees. And I’ll keep that for the trip that my sister is already planning, […] Read More

MONA is the new MOMA

Let it go
Everybody, without exception, whom I told that I would go to Hobart, said: you have to go to MONA. Even those who never have been to Tasmania. The museum’s reputation is noteworthy for a place that only opened in 2011. MONA is the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart. I had never even […] Read More

Tassie

Let it go
Hobart, to be precise. I arrived in the afternoon in my hotel. I figured, this time no Airbnb. I’m only staying for four nights, and the places on Airbnb seemed to be not so central, or private cottages somewhere far out. My hotel, the Welcome Stranger Hotel in the center of town, is a funny […] Read More

Left sided

Let it go
It’s really just a question of ignoring your fears and taking them head on. So I rented a car and drove on the left side. Big deal. Indeed. I am no experienced driver. In all my life I have driven maybe 5000 Km, most of that through American or Canadian national parks, desert roads and […] Read More

On to Tasmania

Let it go
After five weeks in Melbourne – time flies ! – it is time sot see a little bit more of Australia. Today I am flying on to Hobart, capital of the state of Tasmania, and possibly the furthest South I’ll go, depending on what I’ll do in New Zealand. Here are the flight statistics: Flight […] Read More

Farewell Drinks

Let it go
Last night all together in Melbourne. Rajiv is already in Sydney, I head to Hobart tomorrow, Colin is off to London. It was time for drinks at the Victoria Night Market, again! And I had to say good-bye to St. James, my bike. I’ll see Michael again on my last two days in Melbourne. We […] Read More