07-09 January 2019 - At Sea -- Port Arthur and Hobart Tasmania
07 January 2019 - Monday
At Sea - Enroute to Port Arthur, Tasmania
Up early -- my cold seems to be getting better -- breakfast with Phil in Windows Cafe -- worked on the blog -- finally left the room so it can be cleaned.
Discovered a book in the library, "The Spotted Dog" by Kerry Greenwood, an Australian author, who also wrote the books, which are the basis for the TV series, "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries" on PBS -- of which I am a fan. However -- I just couldn't get into this book so returned it to the library -- I'll stick with the numerous titles I have on my kindle.
Lunch with Phil in the Windows Cafe then a destination lecture at 1:00 pm. and another lecture at 2:00 pm about UNESCO -- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. This is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Paris, France whose purpose is to promote international collaboration in education, science and culture as the name indicates. Since we have visited a number of UNESCO sites throughout the world -- it is interesting to know more about the organization and the criteria they use before designating a site UNESCO.
At 4:30 pm Colette, Marc, Phil and I as well as about 20 other passengers -- are invited to tour the Engine Room on the ship. We enter a window-less room on Deck three filled with monitors, dials and lots of important-looking gadgets. Zhivko Tenev, the Chief Engineer, explains how all this equipment helps to run the ship safely. This "behind the scenes" tour makes one realize that cruising is not just food, drinks and entertainment. Good tour -- could have been shorter.
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| Colette, looking pretty comfortable, in the Engine Room on Azamara Quest. |
We have dinner tonight in the main dining room with Colette and Marc at a lovely window table at the back of the ship where we can watch the "following sea" -- pushing us towards Port Arthur, Tasmania.
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| Dinner in the Main Dining Room on Azamara Quest. |
Before bed tonight we turn our clocks ahead one hour.
08 January 2019 - Tuesday - 7a to 1p
Port Arthur and Hobart Tasmania
I woke up about 5:30 am to very rough seas as we approach Port Arthur, Tasmania -- by 8:24 am we have tendered into Port Arthur and begin our tour of the Tasman Peninsula. Diane, our guide, calls this place "Beauty and the Beast" Beauty refers to the landscapes and geological formations and the Beast refers to the history of the penal colony which existed here beginning in 1830. By 1833 Port Arthur was a punishment center for repeat offenders from all the Australian colonies. Discipline and punishment, religious and moral instruction, training and education were all part of the prisoners' regiment. By 1840 more than 2,000 convicts, soldiers and civil staff lived in the Port Arthur. By 1853 when convicts were no longer sent to Tasmania (or Van Diemen's Land as it was known then), this became a place for the aging and physically and mentally ill convicts until it closed in 1877. Port Arthur has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Most of what we will see on the Tasman Peninsula today is Beauty with a little of the Beast throw in.
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| Colette and Pat at Eaglehawk Neck - Tasmania |
Our first stop is Eaglehawk Neck -- a narrow isthmus connecting the Tasman and Forestier Peninsulas. We stop here for a photo op -- lovely view.
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| A Memorial to the "Dog Line" in the Port Arthur Penal Colony Tasmania |
Next we visit a convict area called the "Dog Line" which prevented prisoners from escaping -- even though this peninsula was thought to be a natural prison given the high cliffs surrounded by shark-infested waters. About 18 dogs were lined up and chained in a row -- they were not starved but kept hungry enough so that they would be alert and bark should they detect any movement. Apparently it was thought that the dogs added another level of security to the colony.
Our next stops are all in the category of "Beauty" -- rock formations that have evolved over millions of years due to the energy of the waves crashing along the coast as well as particles such as sand and pebbles being thrown against rock surfaces with great force.
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| A bit of Surf at the Blowhole - Tasman Peninsula |
The Blowhole-- was once a sea cave -- it has evolved into a flat lying rock with a tunnel to the sea. When the sea is rough, an explosive surge of surf flows through the tunnel and exits the Blowhole with a bang. We see somewhat of a surge but not what it would be in a storm.
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| Devil's Kitchen - Tasman Peninsula |
The Devil's Kitchen most likely started as a sea cave, then a tunnel developed. What we see today occurred after the collapse of the cave's roof.
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| Marc and Colette at The Devil's Kitchen - Tasman Peninsula |
The Tasman Archis what is left of the roof a large sea cave created by wave action over many thousands of years. Eventually it is expected that the arch will collapse and the Tasman Arch will become another
Devil's Kitchen.
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| The Tasman Arch -- Tasman Peninsula |
The Tessellated Pavement, an inter-tidal platform, is not so unusual except that here the cracks (joints) are seen in three main sets aligned in different directions resulting in a "tiled" appearance.
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| The Tessellated Pavement - Tasman Peninsula |
Phil and I are dropped off in the small village of Port Arthur -- and walk back to the tender dock --
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| Port Arthur Penal Colony Buildings - Tasmania |
We leave Port Arthur enroute to Hobart, Tasmania at 1:00 pm.
08 January 2019 - Tuesday 6:30 pm - overnight
Hobart, Tasmania
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| Phil at Sullivan's Cove Hobart Tasmania |
Arrive in Hobart to Sullivan's Cove where we docked last week. It is a lovely evening so after dinner -- Phil and I walk around the port area enjoying the atmosphere.
We have a full day in Hobart tomorrow.
Thanks for Reading
Pat
Looking forward to hearing the criteria for designating UNESCO sites. Sounds very interesting. Magnificent "Beauty"!
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