Australia

I spent 10 days in Tasmania which, in retrospect, wasn't quite long enough. It is still an unspoiled place with dense rain forests, jagged mountain peaks, alpine meadows and lakes, stunning coast lines, pristine beaches, farmlands, vineyards and a unique flora and fauna all of its own. Almost a third of the island is protected by national parks (there are 14 in all), and a little more than 20% of the total land mass has been declared a World Heritage area.

Tasmania is somewhat triangular-shaped, has a population of around 500,000, and is Australia's smallest state. It sits south-east of the mainland, separated by the 150 mile wide Bass Strait, and is bordered by the mighty Southern Ocean to the west and south, and the Tasman Sea to the east. The island's colorful history is nothing short of fascinating. Aborigines lived here for some 25,000 years before Abel Tasman, the first European, set foot on the island in 1642. Much later, in the early 1800's, the first British penal colonies were established which, in turn, provided cheap labor for a fast growing timber industry. The majestic Huon Pine, its dense wood highly favored for shipbuilding, was almost eradicated from the island. Few remain and are now protected. Sadly, it wasn't long before diseases introduced by the Europeans and brutal persecution took its toll among the native population and, by 1876, the last Aborigine had died.

The people are extremely friendly, ever so helpful, and always eager to engage in conversation.

I stayed in Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania's capital city and the second oldest city in all of Australia (1804). It's a great place with magnificent views of the Bay. Hobart is a compact city and just about everything is within walking distance. It has a beautiful harbor front with beautiful wooden boats.

The Salamanca Place with lots of artsy shops and restaurants in a row of meticulously refurbished old sandstone warehouses has a great open air market on Saturday mornings. I met Ian Wallance, an inspiring landscape photographer and diver and bought his latest book for Alan and Karin http://www.ianwallace.com.au/

I drove up to Mount Wellington which towers over the city with spectacular views. I sailed with Alan from Hobart to Oyster Bay.

Karin and Alan give me their car and I decided to go to Frechinet Peninsula recommended by several friends. Aussies roads are extremely narrow and winding. I stopped on seven miles beach and every beach alone the way, loving the views and pristine beaches.

Almost always, the beaches were completely empty, often only with my own footprints and those of gulls, pelicans, pied oystercatchers and other sea birds. They are a pure nature lover's delight, peaceful and serene, unspoiled, wild, and exceptionally beautiful.

Freycinet National Park offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery anywhere. Pink granite cliffs, gorgeous white sand beaches. I saw sea eagles soaring in the wind. I hiked out to the Wineglass Bay look-out with it's spectacular views of one of the world's 10 best beaches.

After Freycinet I drove up the coast to the small town of Bechino. I visited the blow hole and stay to watched the Fairy Penguins come ashore at dark. Although extremely shy, they make a good bit of noise and are easily identified once your eyes have adjusted to the darkness. Their burrows are along the shore where they raise their young.

In Bechino there's an unimposing shed that shows lots of fish and some of the most interesting sea creatures that live in the pristine waters of the Great Southern Ocean, well worth visiting! Bichen Sea aquarium

http://www.bichenoaquarium.com.au/

Needless to say I that I really love Tasmania and I can not wait to get back!