Thursday, February 21, 2013

Tasmania: Maria Island Walk

If it seems like I'm just slapping stuff up just to get it done, then you are right! Getting this recapped has been more of a chore than I had anticipated. This isn't brilliant, but it'll get done.

By the way, the water in Tasmania--especially in Hobart--is incredible. It is how water is supposed to taste, which is to say like nothing. It has no off taste. It's not metallic, chlorine-ish, off color, weirdly bubbly or anything like that. It is like drinking the liquid air that it's supposed to.

I suppose that's why they charge $250 a bottle (retail) for their whiskey.

Tasmania is sort of like the Hawaii of Australia, but a lot less tropical. Well, I guess there are islands off the coast of Australia that are in fact tropical and a lot more palm trees and warm breezes.And hell, I've never been to Hawaii. But I am making the analogy because it seems to be how Tasmanians view themselves. They call Australia the mainland, like I'm sure those in Hawaii do, or how those in Alaska say "The lower 48." But I've never been to Alaska, either. Maybe Tasmania is like a warmer Alaska. Actually, that's probably more correct--about half of Tasmania is protected wilderness. It's unspoiled. It's rich in resources. I learned, when we were there, that there are parts of said wilderness that aren't even mapped out fully yet: That's how dense it is.

So if Tasmania is the Alaska of Australia, then what is Maria Island? Help me figure it out. The island doesn't allow cars. They are strict with permits. The entire place is a national park. The coastline is like something only seen in dreams or Photoshop. Is it like an island Yosemite or Yellowstone? Dunno. Never been there, either.

So we were signed up to do a 4-day, guided group hike of Maria Island. This was our glamping experience. We would be carrying our own packs--but they would supply the packs and sleeping bags. We didn't sleep in tents--well, we did, but they were more like cabins/permanent tents at a site that had kitchen equipment and composting toilets. We went three days without a shower, and then showered the last night. But the ocean was--if not warm, then warm-ish, and the skies stayed clear and there is nothing like running into it after a sweaty day of hiking.

Our group was 10 total--8 of  us and two guides. Everyone was awesome. I mean that sincerely. I complain a lot about annoying people, and there were none of them in the bunch. We all were about the same level of fitness. Justin and I were the only Americans. One couple was English. The rest were from Melbourne. We had one male and one female guide, who were incredible. I think this part of the trip was one of the highlights of the trip.

I'll stop blathering and get up some photos.

We were picked up at 7 a.m. from our hotel in Hobart, and once the others were picked up from their respective hotels, we went to the tour group's offices, where we packed our bags for the trip and met each other, got info on the trip, etc. Then it was about an hour bus ride to Triabunna, where we would catch the ferry to Maria Island, which would take about 30 minutes.

And, we're off!

Justin trying his backpack on for size before boarding the ferry:
Leaving Triabunna:


It didn't rain, but it was a little cold on the boat:

We were going here:

Almost there:


Arriving at Shoal Bay:

It was one of those ferries where you have to get in the water as you get out. Roll up those pant legs!

 

 Our packs for the next 4 days:


Land ho! 


The beach was ours:




Self-portrait before starting out:


 Walking across the isthmus -- bay on one side, ocean on the other. This was the narrowest point of the island.



This was the beach on the other side of the island. Looks pretty calm, too.

The dining area--they were sort of like perma-tents, I guess?


A view of the cabin/permatents:


It was a very short hike-- maybe 20 minutes--to the campsite, where we put down our bags, had some lunch (the food was plentiful and wonderful, by the way -- fantastic Tasmanian produce and wines at dinner each night. And so, so many gluten-free options for me. I felt so loved.), picked a cabin, and got some daypacks for a hike to Haunted Bay.

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