Tasmania!

We left Melbourne at around 1 PM for Launceston, which is in northern Tasmania. We flew on JetStar, which is the "hip" airline in Australia. To give you an idea, they have a very modern logo and orange fixtures on their planes. I was not pleased, however, when the beverage cart ladies requested money for the refreshments. JetStar is actually not so hip. The flight was only 45 minutes long, and after a short nap, we were in Launceston.

I think part of the reason I have really enjoyed Australia up to this point is because we have done nothing but take planes and buses. But in Launceston, we decided to rent a car.

For those of you who do not know, Australians drive on the left side of the road. Not the right. I would feel fairly comfortable with this if I was in control of the vehicle. Sadly, my Dad is behind the wheel for this leg of the trip.

It's very difficult to take in the pleasant, pastoral scenery of Tasmania when every oncoming car in the distance looks like a death sentence. Every fiber of my being wants me to scream, "No! No! Get in the right lane, NOW! Before we collide!" But as the oncoming car passes quietly by in the right lane without an explosion of vehicular shrapnel, I relax. Until the next car comes around the corner.

Fortunately, Tasmania is not very crowded and the connecting highways are long and expansive. But I have to give some credit to Dad, because he's done a remarkable job readjusting to the switch. I just wish he would not sing while he drives, not because it sounds bad, but because it makes me think he's not concentrating on staying in the left lane.

We managed to find our way to the "Wilderness Deluxe Country Club" resort which is very foo-foo. Dad and I were expecting something a little less... countryclubish? I feel a little guilty for staying somewhere so nice when we should be in a cheap bed-and-breakfast on an exotic Tasmanian mountainside. But at the same time, it has free internet and a casino (where I can legally gamble, by the way), so it's not that bad.

These ducks are huge, and they wanted food. Not a good combo.

After checking in and finding our room (the place is quite large), we drove into the town center where the traffic is much more cramped and terrifying. We went to a supermarket to pick up some food. While this may not sound exciting, the foods here are somewhat different than those in the States!

You know you want some Australian COON cheese.

We also found a busy Thai restaurant called "The Star of Siam" that had the basic curry dishes and other tasty delights. We ate there, but they were so crowded that we had to sit at a corner table next to the kitchen (it felt very segregated). But we ate and it was good and that's what matters. Did I mention I can legally drink in Australia? They didn't even ask for I.D. when I ordered a beer.

And then we went back to the resort. Dad invited me to go gambling with him at the Casino, but I declined (I will save that for another day).

Sorry for the crappy pictures this time. More interesting ones will come in the future!

Sleepily,
River

P.S. My sister, Maddy, was kind enough to link to me on her Japan Blog. So go there! She thinks mine is better, but she doesn't realize what a hilarious writer she is and what good pictures she takes! So be sure to visit it at http://maddyjapan.blogspot.com.