Stories From Down Under: Day 10 - 11 Hobart, Tasmania

Jan 13 - 14th Day 10 - 11

Hobart
(Karen)

We flew from Sydney to Hobart, which is the capital of Tasmania, tucked into a cove in southeast Tasmania. It was a short drive to the port where our hotel Macq 01 (short for Macquarrie) is located. A little history - in the early 1800's England sent their convicts to Tasmania and Hobart became a penal colony. Our hotel prides itself on telling the stories of the early settlers. Each room features a different story from the Tasmanian past.

Example of a hotel room door telling a story

Upon arrival we walked along the Harborside and explored the small and quaint area. Dinner that night was the first time since leaving the USA that we had to select a restaurant, make a reservation and choose from a menu. We almost forgot how to do this! (Karen failed to mention, so I'll editorialize, that she and Steven did not forget how to charm their way into an 8pm reservation at a fully booked, wonderful Italian restaurant called Fellini's.)

We started our first full day taking a ferry (thanks Kash for the "Posh" ride) to the MONA, Museum of Old and New Art.

Wind blown but posh all the way

This is the most bizarre and unique museum that we have ever been to and I will do my best to describe. First, the building is underground, cut into a hillside -- you start the tour at the bottom of this cool structure. The three floors of artwork are a mix of eccentric art from all different periods and random exotic pieces that some would consider to be in questionable taste (not us!). There is an "Adult Only" section and my phone issued a warning regarding "sexual content" as I entered. Throw in some Pablo Picasso ceramics and even a Monet. I'll let these pictures speak rather than try to describe the artwork.

We found Pan scaring some hares

"Fat Ferrari" had one too many
5-course meals

Words formed from water

There was a lot to see inside his head
-- just not sure what it meant

Outside the museum, there was a beautiful area for lunch and a winery (small and not very enticing). We were entertained by a live (and very loud) metal band -- not our type of music (though the groupies made for some fun people watching).

Late afternoon, Steven and I went for a "wander" and explored the city area of Hobart and the residential area surrounding. We passed the old American Consul, where our consulate helped pardon American convicts in 1843. There was a lot of old history among the residential streets and a lot of action in the small harbor.