#TravelTasmania // Bay of Fire

While Australia is definitely know for it's stunning coasts and beaches, I didn't think Tasmania would be any competition with the likes of the Gold Coast, Sydney's Eastern 'burbs, Cairns, Byron Bay and so on. But I was wrong. Not only was I wrong, Tasmania had something those other locations didn't; an incredibly serene and peaceful environment to enjoy the blaze of lichen covered rocks along the Bay of Fires. 

It could just be me, but places start to lose their appeal when having to squeeze through dense crowds of people. That was something we fortunately never had to worry about in Tasmania, in fact, it was stark contrast to the year and a half spent living in Sydney. It was a treat to be able to climb around these rocks with few other souls around. 

The brightly colored rocks don't stop in Bingalong Bay. While it is definitely the most accessible, being in the heart of a charming, small town, it was only a warm-up for our next location! We continued driving in search for our next potential stop. And by 'we', I mean Vivi continued driving and I continued pretending to know where we were meant to be going while intuitively looking a map and occasionally pointing.

 I couldn't even really tell you where this next place is, I think we'd had just sort of taken a chance and went down a random, winding road until we hit the coast. There may have been a sign on the main highway informing of a park, but other than that, we knew were were safe with knowing that majority of the east coast was littered with the lichen.

Eventually we made it to the next brightly colored, rocky coastline where it basically felt like were were trespassing. The only sign of civilization besides a small parking lot and packed-down paths was a farm with probably one of the best views ever. Lucky cows for sure.

The rock formations here were HUGE! We made it into our own natural playground as we climbed to see the best views and to see how close we could get to the water. 

After climbing around the rocks, we spotted a path towards the beach that was calling our names. The water in Tasmania is undeniably  the clearest I've ever seen the entire three years I spent living and exploring Australia. As chilly as the water is, I always had a huge desire to jump right in and somehow magically morph myself into a mermaid.

I feel like every photo I took here could be on a postcard. This random location had turned out to be a true treat, with a unique blend of sights on top of the already stunning rocks. But alas, our romantic, long walk on the beach had to come to an end as the rest of Tasmania was calling!

After the Bay of Fires, we said our farewells to the East Coast and made our way inland, making a stop at the most old school petrol station first. After all, we had a long road a head of us where there would be vast nothingness. Fortunately, there we a few pleasant surprises along the way to our next destination, Cradle Mountain. But that's for next time... 

Cheers! 

#HeresToANewYear

2013. 

It's here. 

And so far, all first five days of it have been absolute bliss. 

2012 had been probably the most life changing, challenging, enriching, exciting and fulfilling year of my entire life. All at once.

I wouldn't change any of it. 

It is hard to believe that some of the people that I'm closest with I haven't even known for a year. And yet the adventures we've taken, the drama that's been had and the surprises  that have come all made this year fly by far too quickly. 

I know I have barely updated this old thing pretty much all of last year, of which I really hope to change.  I have had sooooo many things to blog about and yet have had no desire to sit still and make a proper post for any of them. 

But this year, I hope to correct that. I might just start surprising you with quick, basic posts and stop fussing so much over the photo quality (yup, that's probably the main reason I slack so much).  While I hope to someday dedicate posts to some of my most favorite '12 memoires, I know already there are plenty coming in '13. 

I am currently in my last two weeks of residing in Sydney. 

Even typing it still doesn't seem like it's true, but alas, I'll start my trek back home. 

I first will spend ten days in Tasmania, come back to Sydney for my final two days in Australia where I'll continue on to New Zealand. After twelve days in the North Island I go to Hawaii and spend another ten days on Oahu before finally flying home.

THEN!

(Because that clearly isn't enough) 

(and because I'm a sucker for flight sales)

I will be going to Germany for 19 days, after only a week back home, to visit my favorite German. Then I'll get to come back home to all the excitement of my best friends wedding coming up in April!

Whew! 

And from there I have no idea where the rest of the year will take me. 

But in the meantime, I have no work, no classes and no worries to enjoy the gorgeous weather that's finally hit sydney.