Day 9 – Flying off Mount Wellington

19th April

Today would be another active day coz we would be doing a 3 hour Mount Wellington Descent tour! I couldn’t believe that I would be cycling down that beautiful magnificent mountain which I could see clearly from my room. We would be doing some shopping first at Salamanca Market, which happens every Saturday at the Salamanca Place. The guys must had partied till quite late the previous night coz they were not ready when we picked them up at 9.30am so Cheryl brought us to the market first.

It was quite amazing how within one night, this place was transformed into a busy market place with endless number of stalls selling so many different colourful things. From fresh vegetables to hotdogs, honey to clothes and so much more , I don’t think I could finish seeing everything within the time frame I was given, which was about 2 ½ hrs coz there was really too much to see!! We started walking towards one end and soon, we were spending about ½ hour at a stall which was having a clearance sale. Ended up buying a few stuff before moving off again. It was really awesome how people could really make stuff themselves and sell them here (I could make cookies and sell them here!)

After buying a few more things, we saw Uncle Jimmy and together, we walked towards the other side of the market. It was about 12pm, which was the time that we were told to gather at Zum, where we would be having our lunch so we started to make our way there. We had ordered what we wanted the day before (I ordered squid!) so lunch was served rather fast. Next I had honeycomb cheesecake for dessert (Would be doing hard work later so gotta eat a lot!) Cheryl, Juliet and I quickly made our way back to the hotel where her car was parked, thinking that the rest of the guys were already there but instead we were there first!

After everyone had gathered (Uncle Jimmy won’t be joining us for the bicycle ride), we headed to the summit of Mount Wellington. The journey up the mountain was rather long (it’s over 1270m!) so I ended up falling asleep. The view at the top of the mountain was so amazing and everything looked so tiny down underneath my feet! And of course, the temperature was even colder! It was essential to choose the right bike coz it would be riding down a mountain, never know what could happen! After listening to further instructions, putting on the essential equipment and taking a funky group photo, we were finally ready to descend the mountain! The guys moved off first and soon, they disappeared from sight. I waited for Juliet who seemed to be having some difficulties in riding the bicycle at the start and she told me to move on once she was on the track.

I felt like flying as the bicycle seemed to have a life of its own and my surroundings zoomed past me. My hands were placed steadily and firmly on the brakes and I would use them frequently especially at corners. The cold air rushed straight into my eyes and they became very dry soon. However, I liked the cooling air on my face as cars drove past me and I felt so free! Soon, I caught up with the guys while Audrey and Juliet slowly appeared behind, followed by Cheryl and the rest who were in a van plus other vehicles who were trailing behind. The next hour was really fun, cycling down the mountain surrounded by nature. I had to constantly stop to check on Juliet, who was lagging behind but couldn’t stop very long as there would be cars coming up from behind. Throughout the journey, I did not need to pedal at all; just had to occasionally brake when rounding a corner or when the bicycle was going to fast. I’ll never look at cycling the same way again!

Soon we had to turn and head down a steep slope into a park where the guys were already there having a break. The path was really steep and Audrey, who was in front of me at that time crashed into the fence, instead of the poles (thank goodness!). I managed to go down the slope smoothly, but not my sis who, after seeing what happened to Audrey, immediately stopped in her track and asked for help. In the end, she got down her bike and pushed it down the slope. We had a short break with yummy cookies and refreshing juices before continuing on the main road. Audrey and Juliet did not join us so I was the only gal who joined the big guys.

It was rather scary riding on the road as we had to cross lanes at times. Also, there would be slopes going upward so I would have difficulties controlling the bike (I didn’t really understand how to use the gear thingy…a bit embarrassed) However, it was nice to see Hobart this way, those beautiful neighborhoods and other interesting stuff along the way. The cycle tour soon came to an end and I was tired but very happy and excited. They had even printed out the photo that we took earlier on the summit and gave me a copy for remembrance. I’ll never forget this ride of my life!

Dinner was at a Chinese restaurant called Me Wah Restaurant. I suddenly felt at home as I entered this lavish restaurant, coz it was so Chinese! It was really a different feel from the previous restaurants that I’d visited, including the food which was yummy. As it would be the last night in Tasmania, Australia and having dinner with this group of fun people, I couldn’t help but felt sad that we would be departing tomorrow. And speaking of which, I had not even packed my luggage yet! Juliet and I were enjoying the last few moments watching the sunset against Mount Wellington from the garden outside our room, enjoying a cup of delicious hot tea when we returned from our cycle trip so we had not really packed yet. So partying with the guys after dinner would be out. Well, it would be nice to spend a few more moments inside our beautiful room before we check out...hopefully with some sweet dreams to fondly remember this place!