Every Which Way

Okay, Tasmanians. They are nice. Not quite as cheery as most of the mainlanders, I think that has something to do with the cooler weather, but none the less, relatively pleasant. I have enjoyed my time in their state. It's been a fun exploration and learning experience.

For any of you that know anything about my sense of direction, you know that it is almost non-existent. So, city blocks and directions are sometimes challenging for me. If I don't know my way around via landmarks in a city, I'm pretty much sunk. And sunk I have been for just under a week.

Every Tasmanian that I have asked for directions in the past week has sent me in exactly the opposite direction that I need to be going in. After they told me what to do, I would always take my hand and point it in the direction that they had indicated. I always asked them, "so, I'm headed of that way, right?" I always got the same answer: "Yes!" I would always head off in that direction and find out in short order that I was walking in the exact opposite direction that I needed to be going in.

Thanks, guys. I've been lost about 25% of my time in Tasmania. Life is a highway, hey? Even if you are walking in the wrong direction. :-)

Cheers

Beer! I Love Beer!

I don't really have any profound observations about my travels in Tasmania. It all looks a lot like home, a lot more green and cooler. I had a bad feeling as I got on the ferry to come here, like, I just really shouldn't do it. Rightfully so, the first full 24 hours here were pretty close to the worst in my life. Overbooked hotels, stupid Tasmanians, mixed up reservations, stupid cab drivers. But, I'm over it all now, hopefully.

Launceston made up for Devonport's misfortunes. My second favorite brewery in Oz is in Launceston, it's called James Boag & Sons. They gave the best booze tour I've ever been on! And I liked all of the free beer and cheese they gave me. I made some friends, 3 boys from Queensland, that know their beer!

At the moment, I'm sitting in a hostel called the Pickled Frog in Hobart, TAS, enjoying the free internet and the random company walking by. Just loaned a Belgian 50 cents, and met a German who loved to talk about riesling, almost as much as I do. Tomorrow I'll tour the Cadbury factory, and maybe the Cascade brewery (3rd favorite beer in Oz). The following day, I'm going to try to go to Port Arthur and see me some Tassie Devils! They're being threatened by this weird cancer and wiped out quickly. It seems they've isolate a resistant population, but it's unknown as to whether or not they will win this one.

But, I think I will post my favorite Australian beer list here. Undoubtly, the beer is MUCH better down under. I will say, I think I tasted just about as much beer this first term as wine! What a learning curve! Favorites, little exported to the US, too bad, looks like I'll have to enjoy them for you:

1) Cooper's Original Pale Ale (fermented in bottle...rocking!)
2) James Boag's Premium Lager
3) Cooper's Sparkling Ale
4) Boag's St. George
5) James Boag's Premium Light Lager
6) James Squire Original Amber Ale
7) Boag's Draught

All very good.

I've updated my photos to current, finally. They are here: http://www.webshots.com/user/cnorth84

Enjoy!

Cheers