Tuesday. March 13, 2012; TASMANIA, natural beauty

Landed in Hobart, Tasmania, a place we never thought of visiting but raw beauty exists. The Aussie Island was founded in 1788 for England's convicts since the jails were over crowded with petty criminals. Imagine in the late 1700's being taken away in a big ship over treacherous seas to Port Arthur in Tasmania which is on a peninsula. The men were kept in balls and chains and did force labor. To escape they had to go across a small piece of land which was called Dog Line where there were 18 mean ugly vicious dogs with huge meat hungry teeth who would kill the convicts. If by chance they made it pass the dogs, the soldiers killed them. How horrible it must had been for them. In 1833 there was also a boys reformatory that housed 3000 young boys as young as 9 yrs old.

We headed over to the Tasman Arch (huge) caused by wave action but I gasped at Devil's Kitchen where the ocean formed canyon was hundreds of feet deep and caves were formed at the bottom of the sedimented rock . The Blowhole was also in this area and different than other Blowholes I have seen. It is a 7 meter high tunnel where the sea blasts through the hole.

We next came to "Doo Town." I asked why is it called Doo Town. Jillian says wait and see! Well each shack (Jillian calls them that) has a DOO name such as Doo Day, Dr DooLittle, Do Dah Day, Doo F-*k All, Just Doo it, Much a Doo, etc.... We stopped for lunch at Fort Arthur Historical Site and ate outside since it was a perfect day. I reluctantly told Jillian that I was totally exhausted with little sleep and the bottom of my feet hurt from the bridge climb as well as my muscles needed rest. I conk out on the way to her home on the other side of Hobart called Rosetta.

Jillian's home is nestled on the hills of Hobart similar to the layered lovely homes I loved in Sydney area. Her home was the last one on the hill. I felt I was arriving in an Italian Villa. The view is breathtaking with the town, inlets and bridges below. Jillian fixed our lounge chairs so we could put up our feet and rest. Yep, I fell asleep. In the meantime Jillian cooked dinner that was Silver Side (Corned Beef not rolled), fresh carrots and broccoli. We were waited hand and foot like royalty and was being spoiled by this grand lady from Tassie.

Some other interesting little points were signs that stated TASMANIAN DEVIL Crossing and surprisingly PENGUIN CROSSING. In the sea the kelp is so thick and abundant. There are Eucalyptus tree farms and some growing the the forests and bush. We saw road kill of a kangaroo and several raccoons. Amazing day with new sights, experiences and tastes.

Good Night! I wonder what sights we will see tomorrow!