The Mania Begins

Even with such an eventful two days, there was still more I wanted to see before leaving Alice Springs. Luckily my flight out wasn’t until noon so in the morning, I went to the old Telegraph Station. The need for this station in the middle of Australia is why Alice Springs originally started. My host offered to drive me and visit the museum with me. She also made breakfast for me including Vegemite on toast. I had tried Vegemite on my own earlier on this trip and greatly disliked it. It wasn’t as bad the way she spread it but it isn’t for me, oh well!

Anyway, I loaded all my stuff in the car and we went to the Telegraph Station.

At the end of our time, I sat with my host outside and she told me more about the town before driving me to the airport. What an amazing host! Now, I thought being at a small airport would mean an easier time getting to the gate. Not at all! I sent my stuff through security and they confiscated my GoPro camera chest mount. I was going to try and check it under the plane so I exited security but by then the luggage checking line was so long, I decided to just forfeit the strap. I had to go back through security and this time they took my wallet tools (which are certified as accepted in airport security) and confiscated those too. Glad I didn’t have to go through again. By the end, I might not have had anything left!

My family was doing a zoom back home so I joined and said “hi” from the airport. It was nice to see them! I then boarded the plane for Melbourne where I would connect to my Tasmania flight.

When we touched down in Melbourne, I found my new gate and waited for my flight. The plane to Tasmania got delayed so I went to get dinner. I bought a vegetarian sandwich and banana bread (popular in Australia) and when I arrived back to my gate, I learned my flight was cancelled. I rushed over to customer service (while carrying the two bags and my dinner) and after waiting in line with all the other people from that flight, I got a my situation sorted. They gave me a free hotel room, a free taxi to and from it and a $50 food voucher. I also was given an 8:25am flight for the following day. Not bad considering. So, I checked into the Hyatt.

The following morning, I took off for Tasmania. Everyone I talked to about Hobart (the city I’m staying in) said to go to Salamanca market (a weekly farmers and craft market) so after putting my stuff down in my Air BNB, I went!

So much more was happening in Hobart than I realized. It wasn’t just the Salamanca Market. There was also the Wooden Boat Festival and Royal Hobart Regatta in addition to a carnival and Tasmania LGBTQ+ Pride celebration.

It was quite an interesting day! I never thought I’d end up in Tasmania but here I am! Next up, kayaking tomorrow!