The Green Green Grass

Location:

Hobart, TAS, Australia

With a bit of debate on whether to come to Tasmania, we eventually took the plunge and made the decision that a trip here is a must. What was putting us off was how much money a tour would cost as it is only one of two options available to us, with the other involving hiring a car. With the latter a no go area with Jason's driving licence missing in Thailand, it only left us with not much choice at all. And talk about cutting it fine. We only decided to book a tour the morning we were due to fly out! Luckily they had availability for us.

The flight over was relatively short. While myself and Jason couldn't get a seat together, I was seated next to a very friendly American couple. The wife who had travelled through Australia and New Zealand twenty years ago was very interesting. I'm sure it only feels like yesterday for her. Time really waits for no man!

Arriving in Hobart, we got the airport bus into the city. The driver was really chatty and very easy going. So far, our first impression of the state is really good. Our driver did give us a good recommendation for tasty cheap food in 'The Shamrock' bar next to where we are staying on Liverpool Street. A very good recommendation indeed.

Our accommodation, 'The Pickled Frog Backpackers' seems like a really good place to stay. The staff are very friendly and the dorm we are staying in is only a four bed room, which is fine! The manager has two gorgeous Huskies which he brings to work with him every day. They are two beauties!

After getting all our stuff organised, it was time to explore the city and all it has to offer. While it may only be small, it's a pretty little place. It reminds me a bit of England with its sandstone, historic buildings. Obviously it does have a strong British influence dating back to when they invaded.

After a few hours wandering, it was decided that we would go relax with a couple of craft beers in a small beer garden one of the guys back in the hostel recommended. It's a good spot, but boy, is it cold down here. As we always say 'I'm frogelised.' I don't think Jason was in the mood for so much walking around so a nice cold beer was all it took for 'Sad Jay' to become 'Happy Jay!' It's good to know that a drink will always put a smile on his face.

What's really strange over here, is how early places close. As we weren't that hungry, we decided to hold off on food until later. You would think at around 9pm you wouldn't have any problems especially in a capital city. Think again. Most places at this time were already closed. As I'm sure you can appreciate, this really didn't put a smile on my face, so I'm sure you can all understand how annoyed I was when we went back to our dorm to find someone had moved my stuff so they could take my bed. I quickly put my stuff back on the bed and when the guy eventually came in, I had no problems telling him what's what! In a hostel, having a bottom bunk is very important. No one really wants the top one! And less face it, as a backpacker, your bed is your palace, and when some invades your palace, war is in the mist!

On our second day on the island, we decided to take it easy with a bit of a lie in and a nice casual stroll around the city mixed in with some nice food and some rather cheeky drinks under a tree. It certainly went with the whole laidback, chilled vibe of the island. It's nice to just have a day where you don't do very much.

While Hobart is a beautiful city, there isn't really much to do once you have done the 'Mona Museum' and you've been to 'Mount Wellington' and as we have been to neither, I guess we will have to comeback just to tick them off our list! Honesty, I can think of worse places to spend a couple of nights!

By Andrew

#Hobart #Australia #Tasmania