With 2 wheels on Maria Island

by Petra Bucheli
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Wednesday 22nd February, 2012

Today I had to go early to the harbour as the boat had to ship a group of seniors to the island. First we collected the group and then we went directly to the island, where we day tourists left the boat. I took my bicycle and started cycling. First along the coast and then a bit to the interior. The way was a bit hilly and the road not bad. Sometimes I had to walk if there was much sand on the road and I did not manage to pass. Often parrots flew out of the trees or somewhere a wallaby jumped away. Then and when I could take a picture from an animal, but I took also many pictures from the landscape. I never saw so many shades of green and blue like here. It was a magnificent to explore the landscape with two wheels. To get back to Darlington I used the same way. Cycling a bit, take a picture and walk sometimes as my knee started to ache. Back on the mainland I saw that there is a message in my voicemail. I learned that it was the camping asking why I did not bring back the key for the caravan. Back in the reception I explained to the receptionist that I paid for another night. The lady from yesterday did not note it! The gentleman believed me and I could sleep once more here.

Hiking on Maria Island

by Petra Bucheli
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Tuesday 21st February, 2012

I fell in love, sorry Konrad. But Maria Island entered my heart. With the boat we went to island. There I joined a German couple for the rest of the day. First we went to the Fossil Cliffs. Here I could see up to 240 million year old fossils in the rock. Back in Darlington we continued to the Painted Cliffs. That are rocks which have different colours in the sunlight. The best time here is at low tide. We were lucky and the sun started shining as we were there, so we could marvel at all the colours of the different rock layers. Finally we hiked into the interior of the island and then back to Darlington. On the island I saw today some kangaroos, wallabies, goose, hen-like birds, a wombat and a breeding penguin. Unfortunately I did not see any dolphins. Then we went back to Triabunna with the boat. There I wanted to get some money from the ATM, but it did not work with any of my cards. According to the unfriendly lady from the supermarket some French had the same problem a few days ago. I said that there might be a problem with the machine. She did not believe as the problems are only with foreign cards. But as I could always get money so far, I believe more in my version. Anyway, my credit card was accepted and I booked another night in the caravan as I do not yet have enough of Maria Island and will go there tomorrow again.