So the motel at Geelong was quite nice. It had a lovely big firm bed which was really nice, although the pillows were a bit too thick so I used my own. The air conditioning worked really well and its temperature light illuminated the whole room so didn't need a nightlight in the bathroom.
I woke up around 5:24 from a dream that we'd been staying at Annie's before getting on the ferry and as I was getting ready I realised it was 8:13, and I started freaking out because my alarm hadn't gone off, and I asked the sweetie what about his alarm and he said he didn't set it because he didn't want to disturb Annie's family and I got really upset that we'd missed the boat.
So there was no going back to sleep after that!
Got ready and out the door at 6:33. Got to the terminal around 6:45 and joined the huge queue of cars, caravans and campervans.
Got to the checkin gate around 7:00, then you stop for security/quarantine. Then you go a bit further forward to wait a bit, then you go outside to wait a bit more.
In the ended we boarded around 7:25, and we were nearly the first to board which was nice.
Approaching the Spirit of Tasmania I
Boarding the Spirit of Tasmania I
Headed straight to our room (I wasn't going to get one for the day crossing but Stu really wanted one so he ponied up for it. Nice simple room and good to have the space to spread out and not be around *people*.
Lounge area on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Lounge area on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Outdoor deck on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Because we were so early boarding I decided to grab some stuff before it got too crowded (wise move), so had that in the room.
Me and Stu in our day cabin
Then went off to explore the ship and watch the sail away.
Spirit of Tasmania I ship builders plaque
Game console area on Spirit of Tasmania I
Outdoor deck and funnels on Spirit of Tasmania I
Lounge area on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Lounge area on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Spirit of Tasmania I
Bridge on Spirit of Tasmania I
Casting off from Geelong
The terminal at Geelong has vacuum mooring machines
Spirit of Tasmania terminal in Geelong
View of the loading ramps at the terminal
Tug boat following us to make sure we get out ok
View towards Geelong
View towards Cunningham Pier and Geelong
Lounge area on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Arcade games on Spirit of Tasmania I
Lounge area on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Lounge area on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Caelo performing live music
Went to the tourism hub after that and bought our National Parks pass ($89.50 for two months).
Tourism Hub on Spirit of Tasmania I
Reading room on Spirit of Tasmania I
Lounge area on the Spirit of Tasmania I
Souvenir and snack shop on Spirit of Tasmania I
View northwest from our cabin
Stu napped while I looked at maps and brochures.
Spirit of Tasmania I life ring
Searoad Ferry (we took one of those on our trip to Victoria in 2022)
Point Nepean at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay
Then we hit Bass Straight (around 11:30).
OMFG. Even though the seas weren't nearly so rough as our winter Transatlantic Crossing, the ship is much much smaller (like a fifth the size of Queen Mary 2) and so there was a *lot* more movement. We worried about the cars either end of us forgetting to park in gear and bashing into ours. And I worried about getting seasick. And because I was worried about it it kinda induced it. Sigh. I was doing ok just looking out the window and playing solitaire (with real cards) until a sudden wave of nausea hit me. But I fought it off, and because I did, after that I was fine.
In fact shortly after, Stu got up and decided to go for a walk to see the ship so we did that. And then he said, hey we could get a beer. So I took a seat and he came back with beer and said he ordered pizza as well haha. So beer and pizza on heaving seas. What could go wrong? ;)
After the late lunch went back to the room and I *finally* got out a game of solitaire (took like 30 games). Then I had a little lie down as well. Didn't sleep. Because I don't sleep during the day.
Spirit of Tasmania I
Rear deck of Spirit of Tasmania I
Aikenhead Point at the entrance of the Mersey River in Devonport
View south along the Mersey River at Devonport
Waterfront in Devonport
Elevated walkway and viewing point in Devonport
Goliath cargo ship and silos in Devonport
View back along the Mersey River
About to dock in Devonport
We finally docked in Devonport at 19:10 but then it took ages to disembark. By the time we got to the other side of the river the ship was already half in shadow.
So we just went to our apartments and figured out how to checkin.
Paranaple Arts Centre
Dumped our stuff then headed straight back to the water. Even though the sun had set the clouds were super pretty so that was super cool.
Spirit of Tasmania I and pretty clouds at sunset
Pretty clouds at sunset
Pretty clouds at sunset
Paranaple Arts Centre by night
Then we went on a mission to find dinner (it was nearly 20:30 by this point). Stu thought the Asian place right next to our apartments was closed so we just wandered around but couldn't find anything open (except a pub which Stu didn't really want to go to because people and noise and it was late). So in the end we ended up at The Scottish Restaurant which pissed me off because I really wanted some vegetation. And their wraps look a lot greener in the pictures than they are in reality. And to top it all off went we walked past the Asian place we found it was still in fact open. Sigh.
Was definitely not fully transfunctionating by the time we collapsed into bed a bit before 10.
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