christmas holiday 2005

december 22 last day with ibm. 6-month contract should have ended december 30 but since they declared operations shutdown from december 26 - january 6, my last day should have been december 23.

december 23 flew to tasmania via jetstar (budget airline of qantas). we didn't know there were no seats alloted and it was first come first served so eric and i ended up not seating together on the flight (lesson learned: when taking jet star be at the gate early!). drove to cradle mountain upon arriving in launceston airport. i was pretty tensed all throughout the trip since it was getting dark already, drizzling and we don't know if we'll make it to cradle mountain. i tell you, the way there was pretty deserted so what if the car broke down or we got lost? saw a number of wildlife (both alive and roadkill) on our way. arrived at cradle mountain wilderness village around 11pm. we were both pretty hungry but we couldn't find any open place where we could grab a bite. did i mention it was freezing in cradle mountain? we weren't prepared for the cold weather since it was pretty warm in sydney and launceston.

december 24 since it was raining, we decided to just drive around the surrounding area of cardle mountain. had brunch at quolls in cradle mountain chateau before heading to house of anvers, a chocolate factory in latrobe.

we just spent the entire day going around the small town of davenport and then heard mass at their church there. we headed back to cradle mountain where we had our noche buena of anvers' truffles, smoked cheese and jacob's creek sparking rose.

we also exchanged gifts that night. i got eric a star wars trilogy boxed set while he got me the complete book of modern classics cookbook compiled by the autralian women's weekly that i've been bugging him to get me.

december 25 christmas day since we're heading back to launceston this afternoon, rain or shine we just had to go to dove lake and do a quick walk.

we arrived in launceston late afternoon and checked-in at hatherley house. this is the first time eric and i will be staying at a bed & breakfast type of accomodation and we extremely enjoyed the experience. the mansion has 9 bedrooms with a common kitchen, library, and a verandah that's overlooking the manicured lawn.

the host made arrangements for us to have dinner at the jailhouse grill. we both had steak and salad which was pretty yum.

december 26 went to bridestowe estate lavender farm (i remembered you emi!)

and cataract gorge.

*i'm now inspired to plant lavender and hydrangea in our garden.

we joined the launceston ghost tour that evening, didn't see any ghosts.

december 27 had breakfast at hatherley before visiting the small town of ross and head towards coles bay.

december 28 checked-out from hatherley and visited grindelwald swiss village.

had lunch there before proceeding to beauty point to visit seahorse world

and platypus house

*wasn't able to take pictures of the platypus but i was able this picture, nakikipagunahan si eric sa paghawak sa echidna!

and then off we go to the airport (we want to be early so we could sit together this time :-P). aris and jen picked us up upon arriving in sydney.

december 31 we were at baulkham hills for ate helen's 40th birthday celebration. we just watched the new year's eve fireworks from the tv. so far, the most quiet new year's eve celebration i've ever experienced in my life.

*more pics of our tasmanian holiday here.