Bass Strait to the Black Sea.

[drron]

Nearly time for the next trip so time to start the TR.The first posts will be a few vignettes about Tassie and DPO in particular.Then on 1/7 we head out for our next adventure.
We are flying BNE-SYD-BKK-AMM.This is in one go and the longest day we have had for some time.Certainly am hoping for a little sleep whilst in the air.
Next comes 4 nights in Amman with a long day to Petra and the Dead Sea already booked-car and driver as suggested on FT with a very early start.After that a short flight AMM-IST and 5 days in Istanbul.We then join the Silver Wind for a 10 day cruise around the Black sea.Ports will be-Trabzon(Turkey),Sochi(Russia),Yalta,Sevastopol,Odessa(all Ukraine),Constanta(Romania) and Nessebur(Bulgaria).So a lot of new experiences for us.

After the cruise another 3 nights in Istanbul then fly IST-AMM-BKK and a few days sojourn at the SGS.Then BKK-HKG-HND-4 days in Tokyo before HND-CTS and 4 days in Sapporo.Finally CTS-NRT-SYD-BNE.
Mrsdrron is on a circle asia plus separate ticket BKK-AMM-IST-AMM-BKK.I am on an Aaward.This was very easy to book.I rang the australian number and got a woman who was on her third day in the job.I was therefore able to tell her exactly what i wanted.Had to fly 1 day earlier than originally planned to get the SYD-BKK sector and only Y on the HND-CTS sector.Took 20 minutes.She then had to ring a supervisor who tried to get it changed to 2 separate partner Aawards instead of an Oneworld award-would have cost 30000 miles and $150 extra.No way and I was set.Taxes-$US245.78.

Now we are staying at SPG properties except in SYD where a Hilton stay so mrsdrron will get her continuation of Hhonors diamond.
Last friday I decided to use my SPG suite night awards and applied them to Amman and the Sheraton atakoy in Istanbul.Disaster struck-for Istanbul I had a welcome email at 1326,a confirmation of the suite night awards at 1327 and at the same time another email cancelling the reservation and 1328 cancellation of the suite night awards.Emailed the hotel who said they couldn't do anything as it was an internet reservation and I would have to book another reservation online.No way as this was a prepaid reservation so now I have Lurkers 1 and 2 plus SPG customer care trying to sort it out.I did look up the hotel and it has no availability now so my guess is the suite night awards were to be cancelled but someone hit the wrong button.I know it wasn't me as if you cancel you do get an "are you sure page" before it takes effect

So now just waiting but have booked a cancellable rate at the DT Old town-still more than our original cost but the other SPG properties were at horrendous levels this close to the stay.
Next-a little bit of Tassie.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Very good Sir, we look forward to future snippets.

Happy landings.

 

[LadyC]

Sounds like an amazing trip - looking forward to reading!

 

[drron]

Having spent a year now working in Latrobe i have got to know the place.Problem is the GFC has not finished here and restaurants and businesses closing on a regular basis.However my favourite restaurant now is Drift at Mersey Bluff.Great views over Bass Strait and at lunchtime you can watch the 1300 Dash 8 come in to DPO.At dinner you watch the Empress leave.Food is of good quality and reasonable.They now accept Amex but a 3% surcharge.So my lunches from this last month.
First fried mushrooms and salt and Pepper Quail-

And a Smoked Salmon chowder and Pork Schnitzel-

Of course there are other places and for lunches in Latrobe we frequent The Cherry Shed-cheap and quite good,The axeman's Cafe-very cheap but only a small menu-but whole trout and chips for $12 is good,and Anvers-interesting too for breakfast if coming off the Empress.Further afield we visit Christmas Hills Raspberry farm and 41 South just outside Deloraine-great hot smoked salmon.
People always joke about Tasmania being 30 years behind the rest of Australia-I think that is one of it's major attractions.However they are modernising the terminal at DPO and even for tasmania this was a bit slow-

Yes that's right-1000 years between finishing the Check in area and then the departure area.
Next-some tassie attractions.

 

[Shelf]

I stayed with a friend at Latrobe earlier this year. A very nice (and quiet) town

 

[drron]

Not everything has to do with food when in Tassie.But then again I just love being there in the beginning of the year for the cherries and raspberries.Nearly every time I go to Latrobe I go out to the Warrawee reserve.Great place to relax,nice scenery but i like to watch the platypi.About 505 of the time when i go during the day,100% if at dusk.So here is the place-

A flood went through in the beginning of the year making getting over the creek interesting-

I enjoy the bird life-

But of course it is this fellow who I can watch any time-

If it is summer time and lots of people having picnics walk down to the smallest pond(in the direction of Latrobe).although there were crowds there in January this is where I saw this fellow.
Next-Flora.

 

[drron]

Another interest of mine is Australian Native ground orchids.Even have some growing in my garden.Just outside Latrobe is the Henry Somerset Native Orchid Conservation Area.The only one I know off.However many areas of bushland or the nearby national Parks also contain orchids.In this area is another good place to see the birdlife.though you have to sit for a while and remain quiet.

and a few of the orchids-

After that you can drive on to Railton-the topiary town.But also remember to visit the Seven Sheds Brewery-great beers and James halliday puts one in the best 20 in australia.
Then on to Sheffield and it's murals.have tea and scones in the Highlander restaurant.Continue on and visit Barringwood winery on your way back to Devonport-great Pinot Noirs.If it is lunch time they do good platters.
Next some trips from the North West.

 

[Major]

Looking forward to the rest of the TR with interest

The top orchid looks to be from the genus Caladenia

 

[rechoboam]

Having spent a year now working in Latrobe i have got to know the place.Problem is the GFC has not finished here and restaurants and businesses closing on a regular basis.However my favourite restaurant now is Drift at Mersey Bluff.Great views over Bass Strait and at lunchtime you can watch the 1300 Dash 8 come in to DPO.At dinner you watch the Empress leave.Food is of good quality and reasonable.They now accept Amex but a 3% surcharge.So my lunches from this last month.
First fried mushrooms and salt and Pepper Quail-

And a Smoked Salmon chowder and Pork Schnitzel-

Of course there are other places and for lunches in Latrobe we frequent The Cherry Shed-cheap and quite good,The axeman's Cafe-very cheap but only a small menu-but whole trout and chips for $12 is good,and Anvers-interesting too for breakfast if coming off the Empress.Further afield we visit Christmas Hills Raspberry farm and 41 South just outside Deloraine-great hot smoked salmon.
People always joke about Tasmania being 30 years behind the rest of Australia-I think that is one of it's major attractions.However they are modernising the terminal at DPO and even for tasmania this was a bit slow-

Yes that's right-1000 years between finishing the Check in area and then the departure area.
Next-some tassie attractions.

Ah locum at Mersey. Stayed at the old pub in town.

 

[amaroo]

Checking in for another fantastic ride

 

[drron]

Well spotted Major though my favourite is the Diuris.
Our paths may very well have crossed Rechoboam.
The first trip will be Cradle Mountain as it is on many a persons to do list.Only a couple of hours away from Latrobe.The last time we stayed at the CM Wilderness Village.Very good and better value than the Lodge which we have stayed at a couple of times.On our first night this little fellow really wanted to come inside and say hello-

This little fellow the next day was definitely shy-

there are some nice walks around the Lodge and the old visitor's centre-

Everyone though comes for the mountain and Dove lake-

Of course that first picture is not Dove Lake but Lake Lilla.Of course some folks just dont know where to look-

But then again not everyone has a creek named after them-yes Ronny Creek-

So next along the North coast.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

drron,
Great photo,s and following your trip with great interest...Aaward flight & Silver Wind next year, thank you
Have a safe journey.
Gary.

 

[drron]

If you like nature then the Rocky cape NP is worth a stop.between Wynyard and Stanley-

As in many places around Tasmania lichen covered rocks are a feature of the coastline.Unfortunately on the day of my visit coincided with the arrival of the muttonbirds.They had run into severe tropical weather on their flight south so many were exhausted and expired on reaching their destination.The shore was littered with their bodies-

So Table Cape near wynyard in the distance-

And The Nut at Stanley in the other direction-

We stayed at the Azure beach houses at Boat Harbour.New and comfortable with a Thai couple as managers-will cook you up a Thai feast-did us 2 nights.There are cheaper houses to rent.Great place for kids with a delightful beach.On a clear day the water is spectacular,unfortunately when we were there the weather wasn't cooperating.There is a restaurant right on the beach but really is inconsistent in quality.

Sunrise was spectacular-

You can enter the NP from Sister's Beach just a little down the road from Boat Harbour.So a view to Rocky cape and Sister's Beach-

Next down the West Coast.

 

[rechoboam]

Was in mersey the day Ansett went into liquidation if I remember rightly.

 

[turtlemichael]

[FONT=&quot]Enjoy the trip - fantastic experiences coming your way. We did virtually the same Black Sea itinerary on Regent Navigator over 3 years ago and loved the ports. Only disappointment was Constanta and that even had some charms. All others were special and interesting and Trabzon was just amazing. Look forward to your reports as we are on Silver Spirit on a different itinerary next year. [/FONT]

 

[drron]

This time one of the lesser known West coast destinations.Everyone knows Strachan and Queenstown but we decided to have a long weekend in Corinna on the Pieman river.You turn off from the north to Waratah.A sleepy ex tin mining town with a waterfall in the middle.

You then head out on the Savage River road-sealed until you come to the mine-

then it is a narrow white sand road which requires care as quite a few trucks use it-

But you are now in the Tarkine Wilderness-

Corinna is on the Pieman river and was an old gold mining camp and logging settlement.Today you can stay in replica miners shacks,hostel or camping area.here are the shacks and the one we stayed in-

One of the attractions is the Pieman River cruise on the Arcadia 11-an old huon pine craft which saw service in New guinea during the War.on the day we went on her there were a couple of blokes from her crew during the war.was an interesting talk-

At Corinna is a barge to cross the river and continue on to Zeehan.The cruise is just as picturesque as the Gordon river cruise without the crowds-

To be continued.

 

[drron]

You cruise down to Pieman Heads-

Lots of driftwood that deserves close inspection-

And an interesting species of tree-

The locals get there by car and cause damage-

There are also several good walks though the track can be overgrown.some of the fungi are impressive-

Back at the Hotel you are greeted by the resident pademelon-obviously a female-

We ate at the hotel and were impressed by the food-locally caught fish,beautiful steaks and a great wallaby shank.also a curry of the day.We loved our stay.You can see all the details here-
Corinna
Next-Bruny island.

 

[drron]

In January we travelled down to Bruny island-can certainly reccomend this for relaxation.We stayed in the Captain's Cabin-a 2 bedroom cottage on a couple of acres with views across to Snug and up to Bellerive.Along with it's own little beach with a great supply of oysters-

Comes with sheep in the paddock and birds in the yard-

And at night the marsupials come out,but 2 is a crowd-

The best thing though is the range of good food.First stop was the Bruny Island Smokehouse-BISH.The smoked quail was great-comes in a sealed bag which you pop into boiling water for 20 minutes and serve-

And of course the oysters-

There is an oyster farm if you dont have your own supply as well as a cheese place-sells one of only 2 cheeses made from unpasteurised milk in australia.
So next-the Bruny Island Adventure Cruise-

 

[drron]

One of the highlights is the Bruny Island Adventure cruise.You can do this as a day trip from Hobart.however even though it was mid January the day we went it was grey,raining,max temp of 10C with a gale and large swell.Not always pleasant.We got back drenched through and frozen.so just got in the car,heat turned up and back to our cottage and a fire.
But this intepid group took off-

It was OK at first as we were sheltered from the weather but when we got around the point it was rough-

But impressive cliffs and rock formations-

And even through a gap in the rocks-

The birds dont mind and still breed-

The boats head to the Friars Islands-a haul out for seals.They dont mind us,but the smell-

Hopefully you have enjoyed these little snippets of Tasmania-I have grown to love this place.
Tomorrow and the trip proper starts.Mine is an AA explorer award and mrsdrron has a Circle Asia with an add on RJ fare BKK-AMM-IST and return.
This trip starts with one of the longest days we have had for some time-
QF509-BNE-SYD
QF23-SYD-BKK
RJ-BKK-AMM.
Allup 31 hours from the time we leave home until arrival in AMM.
hopefully the next post is from the SYD Flounge.

 

[moa999]

Great start.Definitely the largest pre-trip report I have read.