Starting the Trip: Hobart

Elizabeth's tour of Southern Australia has begun! I left Brisbane last Wednesday night and flew to Melbourne. I had a flight to Hobart early Thursday morning so I didn't want to get a hostel for the night. I stayed the night in the airport which turned out to be better than I expected. I found a very comfy couch to set up camp at, and just read my book most of the night. I managed to sleep on and off, for about two hours total. At 4:30 AM I checked in for my flight to Hobart.

I was getting pretty tired so I slept very well on my flight to Hobart. I was lucky enough to have Kat (a friend from the orientation in Cairns) come and pick me up. We went back to her house where she treated me to homemade french toast. Turns out that Thursday happened to be Hobart Show Day and a public holiday. It basically is like Ekka in Brisbane but in a much smaller scale. So we met up with our friends (more from the Cairns orientation and others) and headed to the show. It was a very fun day walking around the carnival grounds and taking in the sights of Hobart. We left the show at about 5:00 PM and headed back to Ian's house where we made pizzas for dinner. We even made the dough from scratch. It was getting to be pretty late, so Kat and I went back up to her house and went straight to sleep.

Friday was a bit of a chill day. I was so tired that I slept in and had a leisurely morning. Then we walked around the town before going to a friends house for dinner. After dinner we all went to the International Party where you had to dress like the country that you are from. I just went with red, white and blue. I wasn't prepared for a theme dance party.

Saturday we woke up early and went to the very famous Salamanca Markets. Right by the wharf are tons of shops and stalls that are fun to walk through. They have everything imaginable from Opera singers, to Aboriginal art, and clothing. You could spend all day there, and we basically did. We walked all throughout the city which involved lots of hills. Unfortunately, I had a plane to catch so we had to return back to the houses and I had to pack up.

Saturday night I flew into Melbourne where I am now. Thanks to McDonald's, on free internet. The trip is just beginning and pictures will come once I return to Brisbane.

Cheers!