The Tassy 2016 Budget

Firstly, let me just say that the budget for Tasmania is a little higher than Japan. The biggest reason as to why is the airfare. It isn't cheap to fly to Australia as it is to Japan, despite booking the flights 6 months in advance. However, just like Japan, I have an inkling we will have a surplus of cash in-hand at the end of the trip.

Here's the budget - as comprehensive as it can be:

11 Days, 10 Nights in Tasmania

*Do note that the ringgit varies with the currency rate.

Visa: RM36 (SGD 12.95)

Airfare: RM 1669

KL to Melbourne (return): RM 1130

Melbourne to Hobart: RM 240

Launceston to Melbourne: RM 299

Transportation: *RM 541

Car rental (Hyundai Tucson): RM 391

Petrol: RM 150

Entry Fees/ Activities: *RM 400

Port Arthur: AUD 37 (RM 115*)

Mt. Wellington Cycle: AUD 75 (RM 232)

Holiday Park Pass (AUD 60 per car): AUD 15 per pax (RM 50*)

Accommodation: RM 1367.50

Hobart: RM 614.70 (5 nights)

Scamander: RM 116.78 (1 night)
Cradle Mountan Highlanders: RM 394.50 (2 nights)
Launceston: RM 241.52 (2 nights)

Food & Miscellaneous: **RM 1575

**At time of cash conversion: RM 3.09 = AUD 1 (considered high)

Estimated Total Per Person: RM 5,588.50

In comparison with the Japan trip budget, we spent less on the entry fees which made up for the pricey airfare. Because we're trying to keep the budget to RM5K (which we did go over in fear of not having enough food money), we opted out on some of the other activities as well. Still, most of the outdoor sights are free anyway.

When I return, I'll follow up on the budget in the trip summary. Only there, can I confirm if we had a surplus. 

Check out my other posts on Tasmania:

Driving Around Tasmania - Trip Itinerary

Airbnb Again! - Lodging

Post-trip post:

Tasmania Trip Summary 

Airbnb Again! This time, Tasmania.

I'm a big fan of Airbnb. Since my last experience with them, I've become an advocate. What's awesomer this time around, is that the homes on Airbnb in Tassy are not only cheap but have a beautiful view too. Don't believe me? Well, check them out below!

*No pictures because you can see them on the listing's page.

Hobart: This one is really pretty. It certainly promises a million dollar view and it comes with free continental breakfast. Plus, there's a bottle of wine upon arrival! So take me there, right now!

Scamander: Roomy, cosy, will do for the night. As per itinerary, we're stopping over after a day's drive.

Cradle Mountain: There were no Airbnb listings in the mountain, so we booked a family cabin at the Cradle Mountain Highlanders for two nights. It's the priciest stay of the lot, but there weren't many options to begin with. Hopefully, for the price we paid, it wouldn't be disappointing.

Launceston: Again, an awesome view. No wine, nor does it look as fancy as the one in Hobart, but it's certainly cheap. Plus, you get furry visitors in the garden at night. And based on some of the reviews, a home-baked cake maybe? We'll see. 

After going through so many listings, I couldn't help but compare them with Japan. Unfortunately, there's no portable wifi offered by any of the hosts in Tasmania. I guess it's not their 'thing'. The hosts will also be there to welcome you, unlike Japan's self check-in method. It's definitely an insight to the way culture plays a role, even on a platform like Airbnb. 

Aside from that, the average cost per night is RM137 (including Cradle Mountain Highlanders). Airbnb lodging average (excluding Cradle Mountain) is RM121.60 per night - a little cheaper than Japan. You ask me why I love Airbnb? Well, here's your answer :)

I'll write a short review for each place once I get back. But till then, I'll try to keep my expectations at moderate levels.

(Curious about Airbnb? Click HERE to sign up and get 20$ off your first Airbnb stay.)

Check out my other posts on Tasmania:

Driving Around Tasmania - Trip Itinerary

The Tassy Budget

Post-trip post:

Tasmania Trip Summary 

Driving Around Tasmania

As promised, for those who are interested, the trip itinerary is below.

It's not as dense as the Japan one, since Tasmania is pretty laid back. We plan on chilling and going with the flow for the 10-ish days. Should you wish to do the same, the itinerary would suit you too :)

HOBART

Day 1 – Monday & Tuesday
Monday - KL to Melbourne: 10:30pm – 8:30am
Tuesday - Melbourne to Hobart: 2:45pm – 3:45pm

Day 2 – Wednesday
- Tasman National Park 
Address: C344, Eaglehawk Neck
*1 hour 10 minute drive from Hobart.
- Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (Opening hours: 10am to 4pm)
Address: Dunn Place, Hobart
- Maritime Museum of Tasmania  (Opening hours: 9am to 5pm)
Address: Corner Davey & Argyle Streets | Carnegie Building, Hobart.

Day 3 – Thursday
- Port Arthur (Opening hours: 9am to 8pm)
Address: Port Arthur Historic Site, Arthur Highway, Port Arthur
*1 hour 30 minute drive from Hobart.

Day 4 – Friday
- Mount Wellington Cycling Descent (10am tour)
Meet up address: Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre
- Mount Wellington Bushwalking
Address: Pinnacle Rd, Wellington Park.

Day 5 – Saturday
- Salamanca Market (Opening hours: 8am to 3pm)
Address: Salamanca Place, Hobart.
- Battery Point
- Royal Tasmanian Botanical Garden (Opening hours: 8am to 6.30pm)
Address: Queens Domain, Hobart.

HOBART to SCAMANDER

Day 6 – Sunday
Drive from Hobart to Scamander via Coastal Road.
- Coles Bay Wineglass Lookout
Address: Freycinet National Park - entrance and visitor reception are after Coles Bay township.
*2 hours 15 minutes drive from Hobart via Coastal Road.
- Eureka Farm (Opening hours: 8:30am to 5pm)
Address: 89 Upper Scamander Rd, Scamander.
*1 hour 40 minutes drive from Coles Bay.

SCAMANDER to CRADLE MOUNTAIN

Day 7 – Monday
- Bay of Fire and Binalong Bay
Address: 10 kilometres north of St Helens.
*15 minutes drive from Scamander.
- Pyengana Dairy Company (Opening hours: 9am to 5pm)
Address: St Columbafalls Rd, Pyengana
*50 minutes drive from Binalong Bay
- Christmas Hills Raspberry Farm Cafe (Opening hours: 7am to 5pm)
Address: 9 christmas Hills Rd, Elizabeth Town
*2 hour 30 minute drive from Pyengana
**1 hour 20 minute drive to Cradle Mountain from Elizabeth Town

CRADLE MOUNTAIN 

Day 8 – Tuesday
- Dove Lake (2-hour circuit)
- And 3 other shorter trails
Address: St. Clair National Park.

CRADLE MOUNTAIN TO LAUNCESTON

Day 9 – Wednesday
Cradle Mountain to Launceston
*1 hour 40 minute drive to Burnie. 
- Maker’s Workshop (Opening hours: 9am to 5pm)
Address: 2 Bass Highway, Parklands.
- Fern Glade Reserve
*1 hour 40 minute drive from Burnie to Launceston

LAUNCESTON

Day 10 – Thursday
- Cataract Gorge (Opening hours: 8am to 8pm)
Address: Main car park at the First Basin.
- Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery (Opening hours: 10am to 4pm)
Art Gallery Address: Two Wellington Street, near Royal Park.
Museum Address: Two Invermay Road at Inveresk

Day 11 – Friday & Saturday
- City Park
Address: Cimitiere Street & Tamar Street

Friday - Launceston to Melbourne: 6:15pm – 7:15pm
Saturday - Melbourne to KL: 12:45am – 7am

Check out my other posts on Tasmania:

Airbnb Again! - Lodging

The Tassy Budget

Post-trip post:

Tasmania Trip Summary 

Where To Next?

After returning from Japan, I asked myself, where should I go to next?

Prior to deciding on Japan last year, my mum brought up Tasmania. She then brought it up again after returning from Japan. Her friend had gone on a family vacation two years ago, and it worked out to be within our budget. So since Taiwan was all food and hiking, we decided Tasmania would be a better fit this time around. Why? There was hiking, food, historical sites (which I love), and it wasn't a bustling state.

Hence, the preparation for our vacation for Autumn began. I'll be sure to put up the final itinerary once the entire trip is completely booked. Right now, we pretty much have everything set, with some things already signed and sealed: our airfare and accommodation. We still need to make a couple of bookings, including a car. And my dad is watching the exchange rate for cash conversion, so hopefully the ringgit strengthens soon.

Till then, I'll try to put this behind me. It's still too early to get excited. Alas, I planned too soon :)

www.instagram.com/chasinrainbowz

I have an obsession...

... with myself.

Don't go jumping into conclusion now. Let me explain. 

I have an obsession with googling my novel and my pen name. It's not an obsession stemmed from pride or the need to feed my ego. Rather, it's an obsession stemmed from fear. 

This is a joke. Narcissus isn't my pen name.

I google myself and The Battle for Oz at least once a day. I check Goodreads and Amazon a couple times a day. Why? So I can try to fix a problem should I get a bad review. So I can try to come up with a solution to the decline in my book's rating. I'm obsessed over the idea that the book will not do well and that the world would hate it. It's mental. Yes, I admit. It's quite mental. And I still do so, as though watching over it would make any difference.

While I craze over it day and night, I find myself praying too - praying for God to take the lead, to be the head in the book project, to have complete control over what happens. I also pray for faith to see open doors and favour from men. But last weekend, it finally dawned upon me that my obsession was getting in the way of my prayers.

It seems I don't trust God enough to let go. I ask Him to take the reigns, but I'm still holding onto it. I say, "God, you drive. You're in control," and then while on the road, I start to doubt if He has checked the tires or if we have enough gas. I tell Him to stop, because something does not feel or look right. Then I try to fix a problem that is not there. It's going to be one freaking long journey if I keep telling Him to pull over, isn't it?

It took me so long to see that, but better late than never. So, in my attempt to completely trust in God and His plan for my life, I'm going to stop obsessing. The physical action of not googling myself or checking Goodreads and Amazon is my spiritual representation of completely letting go. I've decided to only revisit these pages on my birthday next month. Whether I find a pleasant surprise or my book completely tainted, I'll just have to trust that God is doing what's best. 

Is it difficult? Yes, it is, very. Here I am, reminding myself not to habitually look up my book. It bothers me not knowing how the book is doing. But if I want to grow my faith and cripple the fear that has created such an obsession to begin with, I'll have to do it... with God's grace. 

The Battle for Oz has been a book of faith from the very beginning. Every step of the way, from getting the book funded, to now having the book published, I've seen the many facets of faith. This time around, it's me fully relinquishing control. And I know that by doing so, my faith will grow. God is answering my prayer of a growth in faith and He has thrown me this challenge.

Will I accept it? Of course! Challenge accepted, God. Challenge accepted.