03-04 January 2019 - At Sea and Hobart Tasmania

03 January 2019

Thursday

At Sea enroute to Hobart, Tasmania

Happy Birthday, Colette -- today is my sister's birthday -- we'll celebrate tonight.

Phil and I are up at 6:30 -- breakfast in the Window's Cafe, Trivia at 9:30 and by 12:30 we are back in the Window's Cafe with Colette and Marc for lunch.

I gave Colette her birthday gift -- some items I purchased at the Gump's Going Out of Business Sale in San Francisco.   She is lucky enough to have one of the last items sold at Gump's --- I'm not sure she is as impressed with this as I am.

Phil and I go shopping on the 5th Floor -- to spend our shipboard credits -- I purchased a string pearls.

Marc and Colette at the Chef's Table.

This evening Marc has invited us to dine at "The Chef's Table" which is an alternate dining venue for up to ten diners.  The menu is Chef's choice -- with wine pairings for each course.  Tonight's theme is Italian -- hope you enjoy the menu -- we certainly did.

Phil and Pat at the Chef's Table

Our dinner companions are all congenial --- good conversation -- wonderful food -- it was a lot of fun.     Colette has a lovely birthday celebration.

Chef's Table Menu for Colette's Birthday

04 January 2019

Friday

Hobart, Tasmania

After breakfast with Colette and Marc -- Phil and I take a walking tour of Hobart, the capital city of the state of Tasmania, with a population of 250,000 -- 40% of Tasmania's people live here.

Phil at Sullivan's Cove - Hobart Tasmania

 It is very warm but a nice breeze prevails so we carry on.  Our guide, James, gives us the history of where we are docked -- Sullivan's Cove -- which was first settled in 1804 by the British as a military station to keep an eye on French explorers in the area. 

James tells us that this early community was pretty lawless -- I believe his exact words are "rough and tumble".      As we pass the Tasmania Museum & Art Gallery near Constitution Dock, we pop into the "Bond Store" gallery, which displays a number of animals native to Tasmania -- all are stuffed.

Pat with the Irish Immigrants - Hobart, Tasmania

 Unfortunately -- our guide, although well versed and knowledgeable, is difficult to hear because of traffic noise and his soft voice.  A stop at the beautiful town hall building (circa 1860) brings us to the 2nd floor ballroom where we get a reprieve from the heat as James continue to educate us on Hobart's history.  

After about 20 minutes, we emerge from the town hall and notice the sky in the distance is black and red.   James does not seem concerned --- telling us a fire is causing the sky discoloration and we carry on.

Sky Discolored due to Fire Hobart Tasmania

A walk through St. David's Park (which used to be a cemetery) and a story about how Charles Dickens based his character, Oliver Twist, on a convict from London who was sent to Tasmania brings us to Battery Point.

I love this building -- must be the red awnings.

James touches briefly on the history of convicts in Tasmania telling us that a variety were sent from the British Isles including: Members of Parliament and the Aristocracy who were not being cooperative, as well as victims of the Irish Famine and some real convicts such as murderers.

We end the tour at Battery Point named for the battery of guns established here in 1818 as part of Hobart's coastal defenses.   Today this is an eclectic neighborhood and one of Hobart's most prestigious suburbs.

We are back on board in time to have lunch and relax before the White Night Celebration this evening on the pool deck.

I'm sure many of you have heard about "Dinner en Blanc" -- started in Paris and now takes place in several cities around the world -- including Boston.   Everyone wears white, brings food, white wine, seating, table, etc.   The location is not revealed until a few hours before the event.   At one time it was under consideration with a group of our friends but when we thought it through, we realized it was way too much work.

White Night gets chilly -- notice the plaid blankets.

On the Azamara Quest -- we just have to show up dressed in white -- and red wine is allowed.   The evening was a lot fun and the food was good -- a huge buffet with all kinds of grilled meat and fish and lots of salads and vegetables and some wonderful desserts.   

The evening included a parade of crew and staff carrying the flags of their home countries.

Staff and Crew showing off Flags from their Home Countries.

Tomorrow is Melbourne and the second phase of our cruise begins.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat