Tassie, Tassie, Tassie

Tassie!

Check out our latest pics above

We are back from our latest adventure: Campervanning in “Tassie” (Tasmania). Highlights included…

Getting dressed for a formal Fulbright dinner in a trailer park and then walking to Moorilla Winery, a fancy vineyard/estate. Guests included representatives from the Australian consulate and the Tasmanian Premier. They got a chuckle being able to see our accommodation on wheels.

We headed north out of Hobart with the hordes of commuter traffic (probably 5 other cars) through the wine valley of Tasmania. We stopped to do a wine tasting at Puddleduck where we met the owner and his two Corgies, one of whom was none other than Basil (what about that, Brian and Linda!).

Just in time for sunset we found ourselves at Bay of Fires, which Lonely Planet just named the #1 destination to visit in the world. We couldn’t agree more. Upon entering the nature preserve our jaws dropped and were permanently planted. The water is crystal clear and the beaches are white. We had to battle with all of about 3 other tourists, pretty good for peak season. The rocks glow with deep red and orange hues from sun-baked algae. We took a quick dip, but the water was very chilly. Wildlife included hopping wallabies and fascinating tide pools with beautiful sea anemones. We can definitely recommend the oysters and hapuka at Angasi, a “mod oz” restaurant with a killer view.

It rained most of the way south to Wine Glass Bay but it was a small price to pay for the most spectacular double rainbow we have ever seen. We went for a long walk in the rain along Honeymoon Bay and met a very sweet little wallaby. After another fantastic round of oysters, fish and wine we were walking back to our campsite when we were called over by some locals having a party. The jovial Tassies were celebrating the live concerts taking place in Melbourne and Sydney to give aid to the Victorian bushfires (by the way the lead singer for the band Midnight Oil is also the Australian Environmental Minister). Hearing the loud music and clinking glasses, we gladly pulled up a seat and partied with them well into the night. One should always chat with the locals to get the real perspective on things.

Upon returning to the States Colin is going to have to learn driving on the “right” side of the road after conquering the Tasmanian highways…driving like a wombat outta hell!

Love,
Boags and Cascade

Lawn Bowling: "It's really becoming a young person's game"

We've been checking out more of Melbourne -- lawn bowling greens, an extraordinary cemetery, Brunswick, and Queen Victoria Markets (or just Vic's Market, if you're Colin). Check out the pics!

Love,

Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman

P.S. Jess has recently discovered the Australian Jumping City Rat and jumped onto Colin's shoulders. Just imagine when she sees a scorpion in the bush!

Lawn Bowling for Columbine

Jess and Colin's Australian Arrival

From Arrival in Australia

We made it to Oz after two days, I mean 17 hours, who knows how that works?? Upon our arrival in Melbourne we were greeted with Australia Day, the Australian Open tennis tournament and a record-breaking heatwave. 116 is a little hot for us but we survived and can now talk about it at cocktail parties. We are absolutely in love with the city and it's inhabitants. We are endlessly entertained by the little idiosyncrasies that sneak up and remind us we are traveling in a foreign country...walk on the "footpath," not the "sidewalk" and we know "thongs" are sandals, but I'm sorry it's still a little funny to us!

Colin has settled into his new office building at the Rialto Towers overlooking the Yarra River and Phillips Bay. Jess has moved into her new studio at RMIT. Upon her arrival at school, the staff told her she was too busy and that they would be arranging for her to have an intern...love this place!

Our first installment of pictures (see the slideshow in the upper left) could be titled "The Architecture of Melbourne: Victorian, Funky, Inspiring." We have been walking all over the city to the various "suburbs." Melbourne is interestingly about the size of LA with far fewer people. The train never runs on time but what's the rush anyway? It's laid back here to say the least.

Each time we venture out to a new area we are struck by how different it is from all the others. So far we have visited the Docklands (swanky), Carlton (the Charlottesville of Australia), Fitzroy (Haight Ashbury), St. Kilda (catch any good waves mate?) among others. Last weekend we made it out to the ocean. Jess got over her fear of Australian water and went swimming. Once you feel 116 degrees you no longer fear the cool refreshing water.

We are having an absolute blast but we miss all youins State-side. If you need to contact us email is the best: colinwhitlow@gmail.com and jessica.ann.walker@gmail.com
We canceled our cell plans so don't bother the poor souls who took them over. I'm sure they've received some interesting drunk dials from "Regis Philbun." You know who you are!

We video chat on gmail and Jess is on Skype...her name is "snappywalker"
We don't have internet at home yet but we are working on it.


Cheers,
Kangaroo Jack and Waltzing Matilda