ocal Tasmanians is everywhere, there even is an art curator and a historian on staff 24-7...Settled in, then went to peruse the harbor, which was right outside, and what do I see? The Steve Irwin boat, from the Sea Sheppard... Crazy activist group founded by the original founder of Greenpeace who split from the organization after conflicting views on how operations should be handled when fighting off the Japanese whalers in the South sea... There is a show on National Geographic called Whale Wars where they follow them, and let me assure you, if you've seen it, you understand. They ram whaler boats, they throw stinky bombs on deck, slippery substances on deck, board their deck illegally to deliver messages... At the sign up, the crew members who voluntarily accept the mission have to agree to the fact that the boat is under the dictatorship of the captain, it is not a democracy, and they are willing to put their lifes on the line for whales. Basically, depending on their operation, they could die... Impressive. Spoke to a girl who was on her first mission with them- they were docked in Tasmania for a few days before heading to the Galapagos. She was fully aware and willing to take the risks, and it was a great talk. So for all you animal lovers out there, that's a nice story!
After, had a typical seafood lunch at Mure's, the fisherman's basket with fish so fresh it melts in your mouth...mmmmmm... Then walked around in Hobart- capital city of the state (Tasmania), old world meets new. Quite a young place, as it's barely 200 years old, but still loads of history. Took a car up Mount Wellington, which overlooks the city and stands tall at 1270 meters above sea level !!! =) Did a few silly pictures, and then went back to hotel and off to Astor Grill, where the crooners and meat-oyster dinner brought a close to the day.
Friday I had all to myself as Phil was meeting with various government officials. Went on the Bruny Island Wildlife adventure... a mix of luxury catamaran ride with a million dollar jet boat 2 hour crazy ride amongst 165 million year old stones, seals of all colors (SO CUTE...but SO smelly), white-bellied eagles (there are only 220 in the world and I saw 3!!!) and then back on the catamaran for lunch with all local fabulous produce (oysters, patés, smoked salmon, vino....yummy!). 
They gave us an hour to visit Peppermint Bay, where I made friends with a local jeweler who is also a miner, and bought a few stones and a new ring... Very productive day. Had a few calm moments on the beach with local fauna and collected seashells...for god knows what, and then back to the boat to head back to Hobart. The weather started off rainy and gray in the morning, but I enjoyed the windy upper deck back home, drenched in sunlight.
Went to dinner at Drunken Admiral's, which was good food... but I was so tired that headed to bed right away.
Sat am, walked to Salamanca market, open market where hundreds of merchants sell their jewelry, their food, etc etc... Smells, tastes...mmm.. and found AMAZING black cherries that I couldn't get enough of. Lunch - seafood chowder, and off to Richmond (Coal River valley) where I saw the oldest bridge in Australia (build by prisoners who were then pardoned after it was completed, in 1823, and became settlers) and the oldest Roman Catholic church in Australia as well. Beautiful little place, with amazing wineries.
Now back in Melbourne, uploading pictures, trying to give life to Luz again...
More to come tomorrow!
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