#1 Meet another Canadian in Tasmania now

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After I started my blog, Discover Tasmania facebook picked it up for a few days to show the Australians.

A Canadian, Jaro Franta, contacted me.  He came from Montreal to Devonport, Tasmania, and arrived here about the middle of December, 2011.  I asked him why he picked Tasmania, and here is his response.

Several reasons I picked Tasmania - all of them have to do with bicycling.  It only became feasible this year, because of my early retirement last September.  I feel it only makes sense to go this far (and this many $$ for the flight) if it is for an extended period - rather than the usual 3wk vacations one gets when employed. The extended stay also allowed me to rent an inexpensive studio apartment, which costs a small fraction of a hotel room, plus I can do my own cooking to avoid restaurant bills.

Also, I have had some good information from friends who visited, as well as acquaintances on the Garden Web forum, to which I subscribe (I am an avid collector and gardener of dwarf conifers).

My next blog, Jaro's comments about bicycling. 

Photos belong to Jaro Franta 

#24 Queen Street going down to the Derwent River

I lived on Queen Street, and would often cross Sandy Bay Road, walk down Queen Street and along the Derwent River to the Casino.   

Queen Street is in an old part of Hobart....

And the houses do not have big yards.

Duplex - good street appeal.

This is an old factory still being used  - gives a nice view of Hobart.

This house had lemons for sale - fifty cents - on their porch.  You would go in, put the money in the basket with the lemons, and continue on your way. 


Photos belong to Dorothy Lloyd

#23 Salamanca Square and around the Dock

Salamanca Square is an assortment of restaurants and tourist shopping.  At one corner, there was a restaurant/laundromat.  There was also a stage where you could get up and sing, play an instrument, dance, or even juggle.  Kelly Stairs are right behind the blue building.

I would go to the Square about twice a week.  I always had lunch in the bakery, and watched whatever was happening on stage.  And then I would take the Kelly stairs home. 

Statues down by the dock..

I always had a meat pie for lunch - hot, good, and like the Australians say, Not too dear.

And see the statues on the building...

Photos belong to Jaro Franta and Dorothy Lloyd.

#22 Use the Kelly stairs to chart your progress

Battery Point is a historical subdivision of Hobart – older cottages, lots of flowers – this signpost is in Battery Point, and you would be taking the stairs down.

I lived on Sandy Bay Road, and would often walk downtown.  This would take about 35 minutes, and then take the bus back.  But at least twice a week, I would walk across from the docks, go to the bakery for lunch, and then take the Kelly stairs home.     

Recycling was in progress - the stairs were cut from the cliff, and the warehouses below were built from the stones.



It took quite a while before I could walk up these stairs without pausing on the landings.   But remember, it is hot out and I have a backpack with either library books or shopping.  But lots of walking, so after about a month or two, no pauses.



And, of course, a hill at the end...

Photos belong to Dorothy Lloyd.

#21 The Japanese Gardens - Botanical Garden

It is quite the walk from the entrance gate over to the Japanese Gardens.  But you will be rewarded with the views... 



I noticed lots of baby and bridal showers being held here.

What a truly beautiful spot....

This part of the Gardens appeared to be always busy.



You have to look twice.....



Photos belong to Jaro Franta and Dorothy Lloyd.

#20 Sub Antarctic Plant House and the Catcus house

These sunflowers are at the end of the veggie garden, going into the Sub Antarctic Plant House. 



The bubbles on the pictures are water vapour, that was going all around the room.  There were paintings of arctic scenes on the wall, and you could hear the sounds of the animals. 



Hobart is a port destination for ships (usually painted red) going to and from the Antarctic.  Also, the ships from Whale Wars use Hobart as a port destination. 

All the entrances are all fully planted....

Catci must grow very well here - the bottom row of windows were usually open, I guess to control humidity.  

Photos belong to Dorothy Lloyd.