Tas- a Tasmania

Lake St Clair, Tasmania
(c) fifiheavey

For those thinking of visiting Australia (for work or holidays) I would recommend that you do not overlook Tasmania.

Yes the West Coast is a dream of beaches and surf, the East coast is a secluded marvel and the centre is dry, red and astounding, but 


Tasmania is a surprise you don't want to miss out on.

Even the Aussies themselves forget about Tasmania, for decades it was the haunted island of Van Diemens Land – an English Penal Colony, and although I do recall a few haunting moments from my trip that is the appeal, the sort of mystery shrouding the wild mountains and valleys, the winding roads and small villages of the Tasmanian hide away.

We went out of our way to visit the little Natural Island to the south, we spent over a week there and it was certainly well worth it for some history, hill walks and wildlife with some teeth!

Antarctic ship in the dock at Hobart
(c) fifiheavey

Hobart is the main town and has plenty of charm – including Antarctic explorer ships (Tasmania is the last stop and first one on the way back). It has a super hippy Saturday market and plenty of places to eat and drink.

Tahune Forest Airwalk
(c) fifiheavey

But you do need to get out of the city and I would suggest you first head to Tahune Forest Air Walk. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful forest ramble or are up for a more challenging hike, one of Tahune’s trails is sure to fit the bill. Did you know that some of the tallest trees in the world grow in southern Tasmania? Swinging bridges high above the trees – this is the perfect location for dreaming and to get over your silly fear of heights!

Next up get your walking boots on and prepare to be in awe of the scenery around Lake St Clair. Look up and around Cradle mountain surrounds you, it dominates the area and yet Lake St Clair etches out pretty coves and beaches and is home to some of the rarest wildlife. Watch out for Platypus, echidna or wombats!

Horror movie set at Queenstown
(c) fifiheavey

Visit Queenstown if you want to star in your own horror movie set in an abandoned mine town. We stayed the night is the scariest hotel. It was like something out of an old Western movie every floor board creaked and the steep hill out of town meant making a quick escape very difficult!

Climbing The Nut
(c) fifiheavey

Leave the horror behind and take a chair ride up 'The Nut' to the beautiful views of the volcanic plug before having a delightful lunch at Wineglass Bay where a pink granite mountains rises straight from the sea to form a magnificent sheltered waterway or one of the top ten beaches in the world!

Tasmania Devil
(c) fifiheavey

Of course you will need to take in some Tasmania Devils, I recommend Tasmanian Devil conservation Park. These vicious animals are the size of a small dog, and is the largest carnivorous marsupial – nice to look at not to touch!

And end your awesome tour with a scary visit to Port Arthur – this is one place I would advise against visiting alone – it scared the shit out of me! No special effects, no mad design, no characters, just derelict buildings and stories from 1833- 1877.

Port Arthur was known as an inescapable prison, much like Alcatraz – but of course people did.

Port Arthur
(c) fifiheavey

Think of Tasmania as a Thriller – plenty of shocks and surprises but the ending is very satisfactory.

Hutt River Principality

Australia is full of surprises, the land down under has a different landscape, different species and most certainly a different way of life.

But I had never expected a principality - a royal family, a new currency, a different country within a country.

Entrance to Hutt River Province

The Principality of Hutt River, about 300 miles north of Perth, Western Australia achieved legal status as an independent sovereign state in 1972 having annexed from Western Australia in 1970.

The principality was founded on 21 April 1970 following a dispute over wheat production quotas. The Casley family failed in their bid against the quota, so resorted to the British Treasons Act 1495, which they felt allowed them to secede and declare independence from the Commonwealth of Australia.That loophole has obviously since been removed.

The family succeeded and Leonard George Casley was elected administrator of the new state by his family.After the government threatened him with prosecution, Casley styled himself 'His Majesty Prince Leonard I of Hutt' to take advantage of a Commonwealth law that a monarch could not only not be charged, but that anyone who interfered with his duties could be charged with treason. (They changed this law too surprisingly!)

The principality looks no different from an ordinary Outback farm, the state is about 75 square kilometres (19,000 acres) in size. They have their own currency Hutt River Dollar, stamps and passports. I was only delighted to get my passport stamped! Tourism is their biggest economy.

Hutt River coin

His Royal Highness Prince Leonard I of Hutt is an amazing man to meet, quirky and strange, the tall thin old man is obviously very intelligent and loves to share his unique story with tourists. He is very proud of how he used the law to annex his family's land. He was a genius – I am sure many other countries wish they could have thought of it before him!

In 2008, the Council of the European Union issued a memorandum identifying Hutt River passports among known "fantasy passports ... issued by private organisations and individuals" to which a visa should not be affixed.

A cultural stop in the Hutt River Province
(c) fifiheavey

But Prince Leonard has several documents from countries all over the world which he claims accept his state - he also has a letter from the Queen of England!


The Prince and his impressive Principality shows that it really does pay to read the small print!
This is one crazy pit stop that should not be missed on your tour of Western Australia.

“If you tick yes – you can't scuba dive”

We had a very rough boat trip from Koh Samui to Koh Tao in Thailand. Almost everyone on the boat got sick and those who didn't were hanging on for their dear lives on the upper level trying not to get thrown over board.

Ningaloo Reef dive, Australia
(c)fifiheavey

I didn't get sick – but I was shook up when we pulled into the glorious scuba diving island of Koh Tao. My partner however did get sick, at one stage he contemplated jumping over board just to stop the horrible motion – but land was in sight so he clung on. When we walked into the the Easy Divers center, he was still yellow, still clinging to his belongings like someone off a ship wreck.

The lovely lady told us to fill out some forms quickly before we collapsed into our beach hut.

As he could not speak, grunt or even stand straight I took over the form filling duty.

To help me hasten she told me “If you tick yes to any of the questions, we can't let you scuba dive.”

I wanted to scuba dive – so did he.

So I ticked No all the way down both sheets, filled out names, address, numbers, emails and set off to across the white beach to settle for the night.

For the next two days we did theory classes, passed out tests and then set off into the water.

In those perfect tranquil turquoise waters we passed our 18m scuba diving lessons and received our licenses. The fish, the coral, the sharks – it was all amazing and despite our quarrellings on dry land – in the silent under water we made the perfect partners. This was our couple hobby.

Ningaloo Reef dive, Australia
(c)fifiheavey 

It was another six months before we got the opportunity to scuba dive again. This time it was on the Great Barrier Reef – off the coast of Cairns, Australia. We booked on to an overnight ship and were prepping to earn our 36m scuba diving license. We were terribly excited about the night time dive.

There were no rough waters to contend with – so once on the ship, we had to fill out the obligatory forms again and this time he was well able to sort out his own. Except on this occasion there was no kind advice on offer.

In the box saying Asthma – he ticked yes.

The instructor nearly lost his life. He told us “you can't scuba dive if you have asthma.”

My partner replied “I can, because I have a license for 18m.”

“But you need to breathe – you could die down there” came the chilling response.

I wanted to help, but all I could think was what if he did die – his mother would kill me!

In the end the instructor agreed, but not before a test dive and a new form where the No box was ticked beside Asthma query.

During the first dive, I have never been so nervous, I was all over the place. I never concentrated on my own process at all, I kept watching him, every two minutes I signaled ok? And he responded. I was up and down in the water because I could not keep myself steady.

Is everything OK???

Before we went down the 36m, the instructor warned us “You will feel a lot more pressure down there, if anything goes wrong – we know nothing about your asthma ok?”

Never mind him – I was crazy with nerves.

About 5m on the descent, I felt a tug on my hand as I watched him ascend.

Heart in mouth – what was going wrong – could he not breathe – was he dying???

No.

He just had to equalize.

We did pass the 36m license and everything went according to plan – but we have not been scuba diving since. He is mad to do it – but he needs a partner.

And this partner needs time to breathe!

Sharks were the least of my worries scuba diving!
(c)fifiheavey 

Where NOT to go on holidays

New York for Independence Day, Dublin for St Patrick's Day and a Royal Wedding in England. 

These are locations and events that go together, that you should experience once.

But what about – wrong place, wrong time?

Here is my list Where not to be during your holidays.

New Year – Rural China

December 31/ January 1 – Time to ring out the old year and herald the New Year? Not in China – Chinese New Year is in February silly.

Outback, Australia
C) fifiheavey

Australia Day – Outback

“Stick another shrimp on the Barbie” and lets open and tinnie and celebrate Australia Day. Not in the outback of Western Oz – they look strangely at you and wonder what all the commotion is about!

Valentines Day – Iran

Want to declare your love on February 14. not in Iran: “Symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses, and any activities promoting this day are banned," announced state media last month. "Authorities will take legal action against those who ignore the ban."

St Patrick's Day- Saudi Arabia

Bethlehem
(c) fifiheavey

Ah a day to don the green and drown a shamrock. Nope not here the state completely bans the production, importation or consumption of alcohol and imposes strict penalties on those violating the ban, including weeks to months of imprisonment, and possible lashes.

Christmas Day, Bethlehem

It might be a day for peace and love all over the world, but it could turn ugly in Bethlehem as different religious denominations fight to mark the day.

Also avoid any country where a member of the monarch has recently died – it usually disrupts everything, including transport.

And do not go near New Zealand when the lose the rugby.

Wrong place, wrong time – any stories?

Melbourne is Unforgettable!

Sydney or New York are the popular responses to the question of favorite city in the world.

Before I went to Australia all I ever heard about was Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane ... but I knew, even thousands of miles away none of them were the place for me.

South Bank, Melbourne at night
(c) fifiheavey

Because of my pale complexion I chose to live and work in Melbourne for five months, despite this when we lived there in 2008, Melbourne got a heat wave while the East Coast was battered with rain.

Melbourne became our home (my first with my boyfriend), we lived right in the CBD, Lonsdale Street in a cosy studio apartment and life was bliss. Usually you need to leave a place to recall how good it was, not with Melbourne. We knew it, we loved the place from the first night we drove in fresh from the Great Ocean Road, in the middle of a carnival in St Kilda.

The beach at St Kilda may not be up to scratch with Bondi, the city may not be a clean as Perth or as tropical as Cairns but Melbourne had something I felt was missing from all other Aussie cities: Culture and identity.

Broad streets carry traffic and trams all over the city, landmark buildings not only sparkle but they are full of character, it may be missing ancient history but it makes up for that with vibrant life.

The heart beat never leaves the city, during the day it is busy and bouncy, colourful, people of all ethnics and shows and events – at night although the sky gets dark but the colours get brighter.

You cannot be bored in Melbourne – if you hate art, theatre, sport and even comedy then there is music, top food from all over the world, fashion and well... life! (also a must for Neighbours fans!)

Fed Square, Melbourne
(c) fifiheavey

People watching is a permanent activity, Federation Square (ugly or unique you decide!) is a circus of protests, shows, emerging talent and down and outs!

Every week of the year it holds a different festival, it is impossible to take a solid interest in just one thing. Even makes flowers and plants seem exciting here.

Caught enjoying a mince pie at an AFL game!
(c) fifiheavey

Coming from Irish Gaelic Football, we fell in love with the AFL but we didn't stop there, Melbourne loves sport so we submerged into the culture and went to cricket, rugby, tennis and even had an amazing day at the Grand Prix.

The city has plenty of superb art galleries, museums and exhibitions but outdoors in the parks and walks you get the real feel of Melbourne. The Docklands at night and the Yarra River are very romantic.

The contrast between Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station (the only real scary part of town) is stark and yet they are both iconic of the thriving city.

Maybe it is because Melbourne was voted as the most livable city, and because we spent over five months but I found no place on earth like it. The people of course are the main ingredient in the recipe that makes this city, they are fun and flirty and support the city and all the activities it promotes.

When we returned back to Ireland many people wanted to know if we would move to Australia for good, like many Irish young people. My boyfriend exclaimed “I wouldn't go back to Australia – but I would go to Melbourne!”

The Docklands, Melbourne
(c) fifiheavey

The only way to sum it up: Melbourne is unforgettable!

Readers of the world

Something came to my attention over the last few weeks which I find intriguing and that is my growing audience in India and Pakistan.

The blogger statistics show how many read my posts each week and what country they are logging on from. Each week I am surprised by the large worldwide audience who tune into to read my installments from beautiful exotic locations.

Here are my top ten followers:

1. USA

My largest audience comes from America, which is understandable, I have a lot of friends and family over there and I interact with a lot of people from the USA on a frequent basis. The land of the brave and the free gave me so many memories during my road trip a few years ago and I have ear marked to return there very soon.

2. Ireland

My own Irish come in close second, being my home place and the location I most write about, this comes as no surprise. I love Ireland, despite our desperate economic situation, and our wet composition it is still the most beautiful country in the world when the sun shines.

3. United Kingdom

The UK get the bronze medal, born in London I have strong affiliation with England, love to visit and write about it and have a lot of connections over the sea.

4. Canada

The Canadians seem to “get me” and come in fourth on my highest ratings. The Canadians are so much fun and are great travel companions. They always seem to have an open mind.

5. India

India in fifth place of my audience ratings – this one interests me. I know very little about India, I have yet to visit the country, but would love to do so. I would love to know what my Indian audience think of my blog – so any fans please do let me know. 

6. Germany

My European friends the Germans are high on the list, I know the Germans love to travel and you can always to be sure to hit on a few of them abroad, so it is great to see them here. They also love to party!

7. Australia

I spent nearly a year in Australia, I loved my time there and the people are among the best on the planet. Melbourne will stay with me forever and my adventures in a camper van all over the great continent makes me smile and feels warm (thinking of the sunshine helps!).

8. France

By now you all know I have a huge respect for the French, my favourite city in the world is Paris. I am humbled by their support. Viva La France!

9. Pakistan

Again I have never been to Pakistan, I do not have any close friends who live there, so this large following delights me. I hope they enjoy my blog and I invite them to participate with me by way of comment or discussion.

10. The Netherlands

Coming in number ten on my top blog readers are the lovely people of Holland/ The Netherlands. It is a country which does not get the credit it deserves internationally, interesting places full of fun and exciting people.

Thanks for the support guys, it is great having you all aboard!

Forced to travel

Travelling is one of the greatest experiences in the world: the colours, smells, touch and sound of foreign lands is thrilling and invigorating, socialising with the locals is curious and exciting and the memories are unforgettable.

But for some people these things are scary, unnecessary and upsetting.

Last week I had to go through something that I suppose was inevitable in Ireland's current climate: I had to say goodbye to my best friend as she set off to find work abroad.

Many of my friends, old school/ college friends, neighbours and acquaintances have had to emigrate to find work, but up until this week my close circle of friends had stayed intact.

As she excitedly spoke about her travel plans, where she would live, who she knows living close by and the popular attractions in their new world, the rest of us that must stay behind could only smile through our tears.

She was made redundant from her job late last year, one of the hardest workers I know she threw herself into applying for jobs, going on interviews and doing everything she could to find a job, but it was not to be. After spending time in Australia a few years ago and knowing a lot of people over there it became the best option and really only option for her.

As the months wore on, she became more excited about leaving and more bitter about her own country,in the end she was only too happy to wave goodbye to this Emerald Isle.

Although it will never be the same again, we will not see her (aside from on skype, facebook photos ...) , know her feelings, opinions and hear her laughter regularly, we know she really wanted to go.

How difficult must it be to wave goodbye to someone who really doesn't want to go?

How heartbreaking to lose the grasp of a friend, a sibling, a cousin ... who would do anything to stay here but can't?

A lot of people can answer those questions because according to the news it is happening every week.

During the boom years many of us left to travel the world and experience different cultures, now that prospect is being forced upon us, like it or not.

We can only hope that these bright young sparks will live, learn and love their new homes and in a few years bring their enthusiasm and talent back to this recovering island.

Until that time we must calculate the time difference of 10 or 12 hours to try and talk and see the people we love in foreign lands all over the world.

Travel can be exciting, but it can also be very sad.

Australia Day is not like Paddy's Day

Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. It is a public holiday which is celebrated annually on 26 January, the day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag here, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of New Holland.

Before I visited this vast continent I had heard about the big party celebrations held in every territory across the state, and some had even described the event as "just like Paddy's Day to the Irish."

So you can imagine that after a very long drive up the West Coast as part of a tour on January 26, 2008 I was pretty excited about getting out and celebrating with the locals. Everyone on the bus (mostly from the UK) were also looking forward to some flag waving, drunken singing and general happy celebrations.

We were staying on a farm outside of Northampton, and our tour guide kindly offered to bring us to the town nearby and drop us off at the bar for our all night party.

We arrive outside a wooden exterior rural outback bar and about 15 of us offloaded and greeted the locals sitting outside (about 3 middle aged men) with a loud "Happy Australia Day!" To which the men looked up ... and sniggered – they didn't laugh, they sniggered.

I was taken aback but just thought they were the sad minority ... inside the bar there were about 20 people propping the counter. Again, they were startled with the groups' chorus. These ones didn't even snigger, they looked up, stared for longer than is polite and returned to their drinks. They were not talking to each other, there was no music and some were playing the pokies(annoying arcade games that are in every pub in OZ, even Irish ones).

So while there may be fireworks, open air events and general jolliness in the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane it is not quite celebrated as a national holiday all over the country. We felt as if we had insulted these people, came into their town and ruined their evening by reminding them about their national holiday.

The bar man told us "We don't really celebrate the day, its just like any other."

The date is seen as controversial by some Australians, particularly Indigenous Australians, who see commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet as celebrating the destruction of the native Aboriginal culture by British colonists. It has been locally termed as "Invasion Day" and even "Survival Day."

Let me just make this clear – Australia Day is no way like Paddy's Day.

And the outback is weird and scary – but that is what makes it unique and attractive.

Bridges of the World

Forget the Seven Wonders of the World - how about exploring the greatest bridges of the world?!
The ones that make you go "oooh and ahh," where you peer dangerously over their railings and gasp in awe looking up at the monstrosity. Or you could even have the pleasure of surpringly finding yourself driving along on one of the greatest bridges of the world ... scared shitless!
Here are my favourites in order of preference:

1. 

The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA

In my opinion the most famous bridge in the world is the red Golden Gate. I hate to admit I have not yet visited San Fran and so have not had the privilege to be bowled over by this stunning bridge spanning the Pacific Ocean, but I certainly hope to see it very soon - and when I do I will take that glorious walk across it to San Francisco Bay.

2. The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Australia
Iconic, legendary and at the moment more symbolic of freedom to Irish emigrants than the Statue of Liberty was to them in the 19th century. The picture of the harbour bridge with Sydney Opera House in the background is a postcard picture, I am delighted to say I have stared up at this icon, but I failed to actually stand on it.

3. The China Bridge, Budapest, Hungary

Linking Buda with Pest across the Danube River this bridge could indeed be described as the heart of this city. In 1849 it became the first permanent bridge across the Danube, it was blown up in World War II but was rebuilt and became the site for the demonstrations for independece in 1989 - cementing its staus as a symbol of liberty. In the Summer it is thronged with artists and in the Winter it makes a blustery walk in the Snow.

4. The Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
No landmark is more steeped in history than this bridge, lined with shops and jewelery merchants, it dates from 1220. This is also one of only a few bridges that was spared a bomb threat during World War II because Hitler admired it's beauty. A perfect place for a stroll towards the close of business and if you have the funds purchase something that sparkles!

5. Le Pont Neuf, Paris, France
Just about every visitor to Paris has walked across this magnificent 1578 erection - the oldest bridge in the Romantic city. Featuring one of the world's first pedestrian sidewalks, it makes a beautiful destination for a stroll with your loved one offering unbeatable views of Notre-Dame cathedral in one direction and the Eiffel Tower in the other. Perfection.

6. The Brooklyn Bridge, New York, USA
One of the best locations to stare dreaming into the Manhattan skyline is on the thrilling Brooklyn Bridge. It's Gothic style towers, cables and mile long pedestrian walkway may be a breezy and noisy stroll but it is well worth the effort. The bridge took 16 years to build, from 1867 to 1883, becoming the first steel wire suspension bridge in the world when it opened.

7. The Tower Bridge, London, England
The unmistakable drawbridge across the River Thames is quite the sight. Not quite medieval it was built in 1894 next to the dreaded Tower of London. Victorian boilers and steam still raise and lower the bridge and it is best viewed at night when lit up.

Do you agree disagree with the above list? Leave a comment.