Port Arthur History

Tom and me touring the historic grounds of Port Arthur.

Port Arthur began in 1830 as a timber station but changed to a prison to contain difficult convicts in 1833. The average age of the prisoner was only 26 yrs old.

We also toured the tiny "Isle of the Dead" which

served as the official graveyard for over 2,000 convicts and free persons. This was a bit creepy!

This is what remains of the Port Arthur Gaol.

Back in the 1840's thousands and thousands of convicts were sent by boat from England.

Due to severe overcrowding the British sent many convicts to Tasmania

(known back then as Van Diemen's Island), even for petty theft like stealing a loaf of bread.

Part of the grounds on Port Arthur includes a big rock church built by the convicts themselves.

It really is a beautiful place but a very harsh life for those that were sent there for life!

Tom and me in the historic town of Richmond, in front of a stone bridge built by convicts of the Port Arthur Gaol in the 1840's.

We visited the oldest Roman Catholic Church in use in Australia - St. Johns.

It really was beautiful and fun to see all the stained glass work inside.

Here we are at one of the great places we ate at near Port Arthur.
We had lots of fun with Steve and Desi - never a dull moment!

We love Steve's sense of humor and quick wit.

The young Australian waiter had a lovely accent and was a really great bloke!
He actually brought me a full glass of ice for my water - that is a first!

I don't know what it is here, but usually I will get the water, but no ice.

I think they must want me to drink beer, wine, coffee or tea but water suits me just fine!

TASMANIAN DEVIL CONSERVATORY

Tasmania Devil

These animals are now declared an endangered species because 90% of them

have contracted cancer. They spread the cancer when they bite each other during mating and fighting for food. They have incredibly strong jaws - can bite through a 3 inch diameter bone.

This is the little place we stayed, called the Fox and Hound Inn.

They had great food and believe it or not they served spaghetti with their breakfast one morning!

These little Kookaburra birds are everywhere and they make a really different sound,

like someone laughing. Once one starts, they all start in.

How cute is this little kangaroo with her little joey peeking out of the pouch!

The Tasmanian Devil conservatory had lots and lots of Kangaroo's to see and pet,

except for the ones with the babies, they would not let you get too close.

TASMANIA - BOATING ON THE TASMAN SEA

We were able to explore so many cool caves, due to our most excellent tour guides.

They could maneuver the boat in amazing ways!

We started out our boat ride in the pouring rain and I thought it was going to be miserable.

BUT, in just a matter of minutes the storm blew over and we had a perfect day for a boat ride.

The sky was sooo blue and the water so glistening - it was a gorgeous day!

Sorry the pictures are a little out of order - I still have not mastered this blogging thing!

So, we decided to explore the Tasman sea by boat!

Here we are in our little red jumpsuits ready for our boat ride.

Not going to win any fashion awards for these outfits I am sure!
We are with our friends, Steve and Desi, who are also here with the Boeing group.

A picture from above just shows how massive these clifts really are!

(Ok, this is not really us in the boat, but it helps give you the right perspective)

This is where the Tasman Sea meets the Southern Ocean

So beautiful there.

We saw so many awesome caves, and rock cliffs. It was 3 hours of just boating around the southern tip of Tasmania. The pictures just don't do it justice!

TASMANIA #1

New Zealand Fur Seals on Tasman Island

I had difficulty getting good shots with the boating moving up and down with the huge waves but I just think they are so cute!


It was freezing on the Tasman Sea! But our boat trip was very fun.
We had our fleece jackets and mittens and hats on and Damien, our guide, was barefoot!

We flew over on Virgin Blue Airlines.

Tom just thought this picture on the side of the plane was very cool!

"THEIR ENGAGED!"

YES! YES! YES!

We are shouting it from the roof tops - Cory and Tara are engaged!

We are so thrilled.

We love Tara and think she is the perfect match for Cory!

They got engaged on a chair lift us at Sundace Ski Resort - so Cory, isn't it?

We love them both!

The Waterfront Area Where We Live -

Tom, enjoying a Gelato down on the waterfront! We just can't get enough of them!

This is the view from our bedroom window. At night it is beautiful - all the city lights reflecting off the water. Then in the morning as the sun comes up I can lay in bed and watch the city come alive - boats coming in and out and sounds of the city waking up. Way off in the distance you can see the ocean and at times you can see the "Spirit of Tasmania' ship coming and going.

There are lots of nice restaurants along the waterfront here, which is just below our apartment that is in the rounded edge building in the middle of the picture.

The food is amazing here - anything you would like and especially Indian, Asian and Greek cuisine. Haven't really found any Mexican food like a good old Taco Bell!

There are just some amazing boats that pull into the harbor and dock right in front of our place.
We don't know who owns this rig but we would really like to get to know them!

Wishing for a new rental car ?

There are bikers and bike paths everywhere around town. Right below our building is a place you can rent these bikes for $2.50 a day. If the weather would ever get nice we will give it a try.

More fun terms used by the wonderful Australians here. They just crack me up!
Of course you have to imagine them saying these words with their fun accents!

a rasher of bacon = a slice of bacon

fair dinkum? = really? no kidding?

ta = thank you

nappies = diapers

doona = blanket or quilt

a dog's breakfast = eating leftovers

Mackas = McDonalds

We were driving along the freeway yesterday and had to pull over and take a picture of acres and acres of some type of brillant yellow flower. The smell was really strong - sort of like a lillac smell but not really. It was a field of Canola flowers!

Tom wishes this was our rental car!

For those of you who are like me and it just looks like a red car, it is Ferrari.
It is parked in our building every night. I like our "sporty" little Ford Fiesta just fine.

Actually I drove for the first time yesterday. Yikes! It is not easy to reverse your thinking when signaling and turning corners, going around on round-a-bouts, and getting into the fast line on the right side of the freeway (and you all know I have to drive in the fast lane, Ferrari or not!)

Not to mention that the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. Well, I did ok but Tom, I could tell was not relaxing while I was driving, not in the least bit!

We did make it home safe and sound.