20/4/17
This great holiday started at 2.15am on Thursday morning when I got a text to say we had been upgraded to business. So to make the most of it and headed in by Uber to the business lounge at 8.30am to enjoy breakfast in Qantas.
Boarded a little late at 10.50am and although there were some bumps it was a relatively smooth and uneventful flight and we landed in Melbourne at 1pm. Managed one drink in the lounge before we boarded to Hobart at 2.15pm and arrived in Hobart at 3.30pm. Perfect weather!
Near disaster averted but had a slight panic when we arrived at the Henry Jones Art Hotel as they didn't have my booking! I pulled up my booking and they kept looking and found it but then stated it was for May, not April. WTF!! They said I could have a room for a night but the rest of the nights.....anyway I showed them the money out of my account and my booking slip which showed I had it right and they finally agreed. Man o man!! Spa room with Constitution Dock view room 205 was ours - phew!!
It had been a long day already but we got out and went for a walk around to Battery Point. Came back to hotel so Pete could change and had a drink in the IXL long bar before heading back to Jack Greene for a burger and beer. Burgers - average. Chips - WOW, best chips ever!!
Back to hotel at 7.30pm where our key wouldn't work (bloody hell!) and my need to go to the toilet was extreme! Another crisis averted when Pete got the key reprogrammed and plans were put in place for us to go shopping the next morning as Pete needed shoes and I needed clothes because I left my jacket at home and my PJs and other clothes in the drier. Worst pack ever!!
Hugh first night - ha! Bed by 8pm 😀
21/4/17
Awake at 5 which is usual but luxuriated in the most comfy bed until 6. Up and at it and headed to Lola's at 7.30am (good reviews but average!) before we headed into Hobart's cute little township and did some shopping to prepare us for the rest of our short stay.
Perfect day again so caught the 448 bus up to Fern Tree at 11.30am and 15 minutes later we set off on what would be a 2.5 round trip walk up to The Springs outlook. Only 680m and not the summit of Mt Wellington but still some magnificent views! We picked the best day too - could see for miles and miles and again I marvelled at how beautiful this city and state is! Rewarded ourselves with a beer at Fern Tree tavern before catching the 448 back to town.
We were extremely hungry, having not eaten since 7.30am so we headed to the Anchor and Hope, oldest pub in Australia, at 3.20pm for drink and dinner but had one drink and left and walked some more before finding ourselves at Mures Upper Deck at 3.45pm for a late lunch/early dinner. Scallops and seafood laksa for me (I found out I like mussels). Squid and steak for Pete. Both bloody brilliant and the view just made it that much better! Home by 6pm to rest and had a few bevvies watching the Sea Eagles get up for a win!
22/4/17
I'm still wakin early but not truly stirring to after 6am which is so refreshing for a change! We went for a walk through the beautiful St David's Park at 8.30am and then headed straight into the Salamanca markets. After a long and slow stroll we settled on crepes and porridge for breakfast. We spoiled ourselves and bought some Tasmanian wood bread boards (cheese platter) and funky bread cutting knife and dropped them back to hotel. Headed black to the markets and devoured a healthy pie for lunch.
At 1.15pm we lined up to get into the Posh Pit on the MONA ferry and enjoyed VIP treatment as we headed down the river to the MONA. Great views, champers and canapés. This day was just getting better and better. Wondered through MONA museum - WOW what an amazing place. If in Hobart you must go there! Headed up to the Ether building to enjoy a drink and done jazz whilst waiting for our return ferry ride (in the Posh Pit no less).
Called into T42 for the obligatory afternoon drink and then we went to AWU for an early dinner at 5.40pm. Possibly the best China I've ever had!!
Another raging out of control night and back at the hotel at 6.30pm.
23/4/17
Again awake early but not fully sorting until after 6am. How novel! Walked up town to pick up our hire cafe from Hertz. Left there around 9.10am, quick call in to the hotel and we were off to Port Arthur.
Called into cafe Sorell for a good old fashioned breakfast. Warm hearty food with great service and quick! Back on the road 30 minutes later on our way to Port Arthur and then Lime Bay.
A few stopovers and they were breathtaking! Eaglehawk neck beach lookout, the blowhole, Tasman arch and Devil's kitchen. Absolutely worth the short detour!
Got to Port Arthur around midday and this place is stunning! Now for the history lesson. We could have done the walking tour and nearly very well did but ended up doing a self guided tour and spent 3 wonderful hours wandering around these amazing place. As beautiful as it was it was also a little sad then you think of what the convicts had to endure. My last stop was at the cafe where the majority of the 1996 massacre took place so I could pay my respects to those that lost their lives.
It was already 3pm and dark overhead so we decided against Lime Bay as driving at dusk around that area is not recommended with all the wildlife that comes out to play. Headed home and arrived back for our very own happy hour in the hotel at 5pm. We decided on a night in as we had plans to start very early the next day to get to Bruny Island. Did chinese takeaway (whoops 2 nights in a row) - one simple dish and I think I crashed by 8!
24/4/17
6.30am start to Kettering and Bruny Island - well that was the plan but it was pouring rain so we had a lie in instead. Headed out around 7.30am for some breakky in the hotel cafe - nice and simple but delicious.
We went for a drive around Sandy bay and beyond and had a wee walk on the beach before heading back through town around 9am to get to the Botanical gardens. Absolutely stunning! It had been raining but had stopped so everything was fresh and earring the droplets like diamonds! After a few hours wandering we went back to the hotel and then walked up to Brunswick hotel in Liverpool St for a couple of drinks where we decided to do a late lunch again instead of lunch AND dinner. Went wandering again and called in via Customs House and then walked Salamanca to buy gifts for Jan and Loz (and maybe a couple for ourselves). The Whaler for a refreshment and then off to Maldini for a brilliant feast and met Carol (a bit of a locks we gathered as she knew so many people!). Wandered home and although it felt late it was only 6.30pm. Quiet night for our last night. Sad to be leaving but glad to be going....
25/4/17
Lest we forget.
Our first day of our holiday started on a high with the news of an upgrade. Sadly our last night wasn't so great with both of us struggling to sleep with myself awake from around 1-3am. Such a big chunk of the night staring at the ceiling just sucks!! Finally dozed off again and was woken by a text but this time saying main leg of return trip was unsuccessful in getting an upgrade for our 2nd leg. We got business for the first leg so happy with that.
When I went to take my last photo do my hotel view I saw that My Wellington was visible again so we 'rushed' ourselves and managed to get to the pinnacle. Beautiful but boy oh boy it was cold. 8 degrees - brrrr. We got back to hotel around 9.15am and packed our gear and went down to hotel Jam cafe for our lady breakfast.
Arrived at airport, after returning Hertz car, around 11am and managed a sit down in the lounge for 40 odd minutes before departing to Melbourne @ 12.15pm. See ya Hobart 😞
Only had to wait 15 minutes to board last leg home. Took off around 2.15pm. So funny on plane. Pete couldn't get his sound to sync with TV and after about 5 minutes the very patient lady beside him told him he was changing her channels. Oh bloody hell - laughed so hard!! Smooth smooth flight and landed around 4.15pm. Luggage collected and taxied home to our babies. Best welcome ❤️🐶 and we are HOME ❤️❤️
This mini break was simply amazing. I've really enjoyed myself and we both just had a wonderful time.
Back to reality now - I've been off social media for a week (surprisingly easy) but have some messages now that I have to attend to and places to visit on behalf of Play for a Cure. Exciting times ahead 😀
