South Arm Peninsula & Packing for the return journey

Thursday, 25.01.18

Somehow, I'm nervous thinking about the return journey tomorrow. I've realized by now that I'll be traveling for 48 hours. Since I have to return the camper by 10:00 am and clean it finally before, I'll have to wake up at 7 am, and by the time I land in Berlin, it will be early Sunday morning by Australian time - 48 hours.

My bag weighs just under 18 kilograms without the rest. I have a Jetstar flight to SYD with a 25kg baggage allowance, it doesn't matter with Air China because of Business class, but if I have packed all the rest, clothes from today, sandals, toiletries, pajamas, etc., I might exceed 23kg and have to take something in my hand luggage for the flight to Berlin. Unfortunately, the backpack is also very heavy and for the flight to Sydney, it can't weigh more than 7 kg - because Jetstar weighs the hand luggage.

Well, I'm sitting here first and writing my postcards. Instead of going to Hobart again, which I initially planned to do for a city tour, I decide on the advice of Rob and Jo from Tassie Motor Shack for a countryside trip to the south. The South Arm Peninsula is a narrow strip of land lined with wonderful beaches. I stop first at a lookout on Black Jack Rocks, a small rocky island with a lighthouse. Half a year ago, a million-dollar catamaran got stuck here with a group of quite drunk people in a party mood on board. Somehow, they managed to get the people off. But the boat was only salvaged a few weeks ago. I'm standing on this cliff coast and looking left at a perfect bay with a great beach, in front of me, the high cliffs, straight ahead Betsey Island. Absolutely wonderful!

I continue driving slowly, stop again, climb a dune, and enjoy the view of another beach and in the distance some mountains of Bruny Island and the lighthouse of North Bruny. It looks very tempting here, there is a good swell, but the water temperatures are rarely above 15°C.

Oystercatchers pick in the mud next to the road, above me a warm sun shines from a blue sky - what a beautiful last day in Tasmania. Relaxing - wonderful!

I stop at a bench with a view, light up my beloved gas cooker one last time, make myself a delicious coffee, and enjoy the cake from Hamilton from three days ago on this bench!!

Unfortunately, I have to leave here soon because on the one hand, I want to eat something in the seafood stand again today, instead of a toasted bread roll with cheese, and I have to wash and refuel the camper.

I first go to eat and then to the BP gas station at the airport. Here you can steam clean and foam the campers, and my faithful vehicle looks like new after inserting 11 dollars in coins. I have a towel from home with me, which is supposed to stay here anyway, cleaning rags and a sponge as well, so the camper is rubbed dry and streak-free and also gets cleaner inside.

Back at the campground, I pack everything that's possible, the bag only fits with force in the cupboard under the mattress, but I can't put it anywhere else. The floor still needs to be mopped, and so on, it's getting done slowly. I take another shower, treat myself to the last beer I have, and go to bed early. The alarm is set for 7:30 am.