Tasmania: Salamanca Market and Bonorong Wildlife Park

We managed to go to three major tourist attractions in one day, but it meant we didn't get quite enough time at each of them, though that's what happens when you only have so much time. First was the weekly Salamanca Market in downtown Hobart, which had tons of stalls. I got stuck at one selling cards and the cutest reusable tote bags with screenprinted Australian animals. I also tried a garlic bratwurst at a German food stall, which helped me power through the rest of the long day of driving.

 

Bonorong Wildlife Park was a great place to visit if you like animals. It is a rescue and rehabilitation place, so they really care about their wellbeing and do try to re-release if the animals are able to survive on their own. You get a bag of kangaroo food, so I finally got to hand-feed kangaroos, and there was a huge paddock full of them! One grabbed the bag out of my jacket pocket as I attempted to take photos, so they were not afraid to stuff their noses and hands around to get the food.

We heard the keeper talk about the wombat - didn't know that it has a large, thick plate on its backside so that if an enemy follows it into its burrow, it can basically crush its head against the roof of the burrow (including dogs!). It also is affectionate for about one to two years, then goes into a kind of 'adolescent' phase where it suddenly wants nothing to do with its mother (or human keeper). That's when they can re-release it because it doesn't need to be mothered anymore.

The keeper fed the Tasmanian devils, which look pretty peaceful until they are feeding. Apparently they got their name because they would make these devilish howling noises in the forests, and the Europeans had no idea what was making the sounds. 

 

Finally, we heard about koalas and got to pat one. They also have a bone structure that allows them to sit comfortably in trees for long periods, kind of like a V-shape.

This was our first time seeing spotted quoll - pretty much polka dot rat-looking animals! There was a black one and a tan one. There were also several colorful birds and an owl-looking bird with no neck that had an ominous look.

 

Nelson City

Nelson itself also had quite a lot to do. We stopped at a little fruit and veggie store on our walk downtown and I picked up blueberries and peaches. The Saturday market had a surprisingly large number of vendors, and I found some art and a book to buy. I also picked up a carton of fresh strawberries while D picked up a delicious garlic sourdough loaf.

There was some nice architecture and a very weird store window that I took a picture of. You find the weirdest things out and about sometimes.

The Nelson Provincial Museum was small but good. I really enjoyed the Women of WWI exhibit which featured a whole room full of mannequins dressed up in styles of the time. But what was interesting was the stories on all of these amazing women who pushed and persevered to serve their country and those in need during the turbulent war years and beyond. It really inspired me.

not that long ago, when Britain still ruled the world...

Nelson's cathedral

weird shop window with bat iphone things and a baby horde

Welcome to Australia: Sydney

We arrived in Sydney in the morning (after the time change) and took the train from the airport to the hotel to leave our bags at the counter before check-in time. I thoroughly enjoyed my first glimpse of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge from the train. They look spectacular on the waterfront. 

Next we were off on the search for food. The hotel (Napoleon on Kent) ended up being in a great location downtown, within walking distance of most tourist locales. We happened upon a shopping market with lots of booths and wares. We sampled some licorice and bought a small bag for D. Although I don’t like black licorice, it actually tasted a lot better than the processed stuff from stores in the U.S. We ate a quick lunch at Subway, took some pictures of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge, and enjoyed walking in the sunshine. Compared to the freezing temperatures in Christchurch, the mild winter here was a relief.

I had read online that the Australia Museum was having a free weekend for kids and adults, so we decided to brave the large crowds to save some money and fill up our first day before my conference started. There were definitely hundreds of people there, with kids in tow. It was hard to move around (major fire hazard) but there was some good dinosaur stuff and info on the continent’s history. A photography competition’s winners were also on display, with some gorgeous photos of landscapes and wildlife. We did our grocery shopping for the week (staying at an apartment-style place with a kitchenette) and crashed early.