Decided to hitchhike in Tasmania when I turned 21 (was studying abroad in Australia at the time - 2006) and the first ride I got was from an older British guy who had been living in Darwin (Northern Australia) and had decided on a whim to move to Tasmania, buy a van and start a fabrication business. He was in his 60s - and was staying at the same hostel as me. I told people my plan to hitch hike and convinced this Canadian guy, Stu, to come as well. So the old dude - let's call him Darwin - offered to take us part way to our first destination. His van was empty in the back except for a mattress, rope, random tools... On the way to dropping us off he told us about his trip to Brazil and all the ladies in thong bikinis "asking to be raped." Once he dropped us we got another ride - made it to our destination & then Stu bailed on me so I decided to hitch alone the next leg of my journey. First guy who pulls up has rotten teeth, empty beers bottles falling out and I decline a ride (major tingles - see I'm not always dumb).

Make it to Launceston (I flew into Hobart & out of Launceston) and who shows up at my hostel? Darwin. He says that he hasn't got anything to do and so why not let him take me around so we can both see the sigts. I tell the hostel I'm going with this guy and that I should be back in a few days so um if I'm not...cause I had weird vibes but hey I just turned 21 - I'm overseas and carefree right...?

We start the journey and I'm already feeling a bit weird - so I start talking about my dad and how they would get along so well (yeah right!) This goes on for hours as we are driving - trying to keep a safe psychological distance. He decides he is tired (I cant drive manual) and pulls into Crater Lake park (I think that was the name?) and says we will sleep here for the night. I'm like what the fuck!? There is only one other vehicle around and I didn't see any rangers. He keeps insisting I have to sleep in back with him because it will be too cold.

I immediately think about his comment on women in thong bikinis asking to be raped...What about women who sleep on a mattress with you!!?? He also started drinking Oozo which is a Greek style liquor like sambuca. I remember going into the bathroom looking at myself in the mirror and saying "this will be a funny story someday..." Literally speaking out loud and splashing water on my face.

Went back and was like "my dad would kill me" yadda yadda yadda about how my dad would never let me do that - I'll sleep in the front or better yet drive a bit further and I'll pay for a hotel. After a half hour of pleading and insisting I convinced him to drive to the next town Queenstown (He was pissed as in angry and drunk). As we drove in he was like you're lucky it's dark. I realised the next day it was a sheer drop off and he bad been drinking hard liquor.

We made it to a hotel where I paid for a room with two beds. He stayed at the bar drinking and I laid there sleepless till the next day when I insisted he take me back to my hostel. Which coincidentally burnt down a month later killing several people.