Hobart, Tasmania

Feb 24 Saturday

We had a brilliant day today in Hobart. Tasmania is an Australian island state and the natural beauty of the place is stunning.

We had a wonderful driver and guide today. They were professional, knowledgeable and friendly.

We went first this morning to a large farm and sheep station. We saw a sheep shearing demonstration, toured the 750 acre farm, and had morning tea and sweetheart cake with the owners.

Next we went to Mount Field National Park and hiked ( a short hike) to Russell Falls, which were particularly active and beautiful today as we had a HUGE storm last night. I woke about 2:00 am (we were still traveling across the Tasman Sea to Hobart) to a huge lightning and thunder storm. When it thundered, the ship made it sound metallic and echoing, like banging a rain barrel !! Don slept through the whole thing.

The Falls are beautiful, in the midst of a cool temperate rainforest – so different from the Caribbean rainforest that we have seen before. Huge tall eucalypt trees and many other varieties of non deciduous trees and ferns the size of houses – absolutely gorgeous!

Next we visited a small wildlife sanctuary that rescues orphan animals – wallabies, wombats, and kangaroos. We also saw koalas (not indigenous, but sooo cute). We also saw a platypus but I am afraid that he photos are going to look like nothing. They are so much smaller than I thought and they swim fast and dive out of sight.

We have met some great people on the ship and off. Yesterday we played bridge with a couple of people, Erik from Winnipeg and Peggy from Wyoming. We have run into Peggy several times on the ship and really like her. She is a retired nurse. We also have befriended a couple, Frank and Mary. Mary has suffered a stroke and Frank some sort of serious injury that has left him with a rough limp and using a cane. Mary needs to use a walker. But nothing stops them from experiencing everything. We run into them everywhere- shopping, touring, eating, at shows.

Today’s drive, David lives in the midlands but owns the tour bus company that we used today. Born and bred here, he is a delightful man, full of information and happy to share it. Sheila, our guide, today, lives on a small farm in the mountains.