I was welcomed in a white sporty Skyline the moment I came out from Hobart Airport.
Jerine, a fellow Malaysian blogger-reader-now-friend, came to pick me up from the airport with her friend Marcus (who drove us).
sorry Jerine, but this was like, the only proper frontal photo of you I have in my first list of photos (too lazy to look for others *whistle*)
Tasmania was cold. And it kinda reminded me of Holland.
Very much different from the rest of Australia.
They did say Tassies (Tasmanians) have always claimed themselves to be a total different country from their mainland counterpart (Australia).
There were a lot of hills and plenty of houses scattered around the hill sides. It's really serene, almost like a cross culture between Ireland (lots of green hills) and the city Amsterdam (lots of cramped up houses on hills).
Which on my later journey to the further south New Zealand that I would find out Tasmania resembled a hell lot like NZ.
Tasmania hence became (to me) a great introduction when crossing Australia to New Zealand.
Everything became colder, greener, more secluded, and slower. Not to mention perfectly serene.
Knowing that I haven't had breakfast (or sleep), Jerine and Markus took me to the Shot Tower (famous in Hobart) for brunch.
The shot tower was a tower built to produce "bullets" for firearms (rifles?) by dropping molten lead from a considerable height into a water basin at the bottom of the tower, by which the momentum and speed of the drop inside the confined cool aired tower will miraculously (physical law) shaped the lead into balls.
The size of the lead balls produced is directly proportionate to the height of the tower. Since it'll take a farther distant of free falling to cool a larger lead balls.
Entering the shot tower, you'll be greeted with a charming little tea house
where you'll be served the best afternoon tea in Tasmania.
What I liked about this tea house was that there's a little garden right outside the shot tower where you can sit and mingle with your friends on a cool spring / autumn afternoon.
Scones and tea and laughter. What a way to enjoy life.
But it was too cold. So screw the outdoor and in with the indoor.
And having a fireplace indoor encouraged.
A good cuppa shot tower hot cocoa helped too.
I have to add, that was the most delicious scones I had in a LONG time! YUMMIEST!
Each of us were given two scones (came in a set) and I was so full after my first scone, I doggy bag the second scone because I didn't want to taste. It was so good!
After the delightful tea, Jerine and I decided to take a walk up the tower, paid what was like nine ridiculous oz dollars (was it 9? Jerine please clarify this), to see the view of Hobart town.
It's a looooong way up.
Jerine climbing really fast.
On the way up there were a lot of small narrow windows that looked like this.
Probably to allow air to flow but yet small enough to protect the still air condition within.
Here's a video of us going up the Shot Tower and view from atop.
While up there, I managed to snap a few nice photos and compiled a wallpaper to another addition of your Wallpapers Around the World - Shot Tower, Tasmania.
Click here for 1600x1200 size.
Click here for 1280x800 size.
And a wide screen wallpaper.
Click here for 2560x1600 size.
A view from the top of the shot tower from inside.
We returned to Jerine's very cool one bedroom apartment and I was to remained there for the rest of the evening sleeping. It had been a heck of a sleeping traveling evening before.
The next morning we went out to explore Hobart town.
There's something about the Australian sky. It's always so blue, so cloudless, so pretty.
I think it has something to do with the humidity here, or there lack of.
Or it could be because there's a hole in the ozone layer.
Jerine was determined to bring me to this famous local cafe for a nice breakfast.
On the way there we passed by some pretty houses,
house in a secret garden
We spotted an apple tree in the front yard of a very delectable little cottage-like house.
I love the tree arch concept.
Nothing beats a fresh organic apple on your way out in the morning.
Hobart is a port town, so it's not surprising to have a street, or park, next to the seaside.
Actually it's more like a very big ass river that leads to the sea.
As shown here on the print screen Google Earth.
My bag hanging out with Jerine's bag on a bench while she went back to get her coat.
Weather was, is, very undetermined in Tasmania. Almost like Melbourne (if not more), more so than Adelaide.
One minute (literally), it could be hot, bright and sunny. The next, still bright and sunny but damn hell windy and COLD.
So always remember to bring your jacket along even when it looks hot and warm on a winter/spring/autumn morning.
mmm.. Nice bench.
I took a few nice wallpapers here of the port with all the yachts parked nicely around.
Click here for 1600x1200 size.
Click here for 1280x800 size.
Two wide angles of the similar shots.
Click here for 2560x1600 size.
A different angle.
Click here for 2560x1600 size.
What about some greenery to play contrast.
Click here for 1600x1200 size.
Click here for 1280x800 size.
And for the wide angle wallpaper.
Click here for 2560x1600 size.
Tralala, some shots at the harbor.
We walked along the street and came to Jackman & McRoss.
If you're a Tassie, you should know how popular this cafe is in the morning.
dorky face
We ordered some breakfast.
Egg Benedict for me
While Jerine experimented on a new drink, that's a cross between a float and a soda, and some fruit mixture.
pouring soda into the mixture
It's actually really nice despite the looks of it.
Reminded me of one of those American old-school cafes that serves ice cream with soda.
Anyway, it's getting lengthy, will talk about further into Hobart Town and a particular fairy shop we visited in the next entry. ;)
But, before I end this post. I just want to say...
MAN I MISSED THOSE DARN SCONES!!
