After a 35-hour marathon trip from Manila, we fell into bed last night and slept like babies. Tasmania hasn’t changed much in the 5 weeks we’ve been away. It might be a little warmer but the rain is still as cold and the natives still as restless. It’s nice to be home.
I woke up a little seedy on Tuesday morning after Geoff’s generous nightcap but we only had packing to do so not much effort was needed. It’s just as well that Marilyn was able to off-load 12 Kg to Siaren as we were still struggling to get everything in. Our two big bags weighed a total of 44Kg, our two carry-ons must have been 20Kg between them and I had a heavy backpack as well. Marilyn carried the portable DVD player and her handbag, so we represented quite a significant proportion of the total mass of the plane. Everything safely packed away, we left the house in plenty of time to be at the airport. The first flight was uneventful and we arrived in Singapore a little ahead of time, ready to board for the next leg.
Changi is a fantastic airport. Moving between terminals is easy with the little train and everything is so vast and spotlessly clean. It’s a model of how things should be done. The big B777 was comfortable and we even managed to sleep a few hours before arriving in Melbourne a little ahead of time. At Melbourne Duty Free, we took possession of two bottles of Famous Grouse purchased on the way out and left for collection on our return, adding another 2Kg or so to our load. Marilyn took advantage of the time to stock up on another few cosmetic items.
We’d been on the road for 21 hours by now and the next plane to Tasmania didn’t leave for about 4 hours. We find this the hardest part of any journey: hanging around at the airport, tired and seedy, waiting for the domestic flight home. This time we decided to take control. We won’t take it any more. (possible musical reference).
While Marilyn rang Jamie to let him know we were in, I rang a nearby motel and booked a room for the day. When you spend thousands of dollars on a holiday, the extra $100 for a shower and sleep on the last day is money well spent.
When Marilyn rang Jamie, he and Therese were also in Melbourne airport, but in the departure lounge ready to board their flight to Los Angeles. It wasn’t possible to meet up with them as they needed to check in before we managed to get through customs, but it was nice to talk anyway. They will arrive in Los Angeles where they will transfer to a Las Vegas flight. They’re booked into the Mirage for a few nights, mainly to see the shows, then back to San Diego and Anaheim before returning home. It’s not a holiday I would choose, but they can’t understand why I enjoy out-of-the-mainstream places, so good luck to them.
Our flight to Tasmania was to leave at 7.55pm but Melbourne was having bad weather so flights were postponed until thunderstorms ha passed. We finally got away at 9, and arrived in Launceston, after a rocky flight, at 10pm. Quick taxi ride to pick up the car and we were in bed by 11.30 – a long journey but made easier by stretching our legs in Singapore, and the 6-hour nap in Melbourne.
Today is a Public Holiday in Launceston. Every city and small town in Australia takes a public holiday to celebrate their Show Day. In the days when the farmers brought their produce to the towns and cities to show the results of their efforts and every townie went along to celebrate their success, Show Day might have had some significance. Now, though, it’s just an anachronism and an excuse to close the shops and schools and laze around the house.
We found that we needed to apply for visas for Nepal so it was a quick drive to Launceston to the only Post Office open on this holy day to send our applications and passports by registered post to the Consulate in Melbourne. It’s only 19 days until we leave so I hope the good people of the Consulate for Nepal can meet the deadline.
It’s bed-time. We haven’t really unpacked yet and we’re not sure where we’ll be living for the next 19 days. Will I collect the caravan tomorrow and put it onsite somewhere, or will we continue to camp in this little house for a bit longer? Maybe, we’ll make a decision tomorrow. In the meantime, Good night!
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