12 February

It was still light when we moored in Hobart at 7:30 pm.  Nestled on the banks of the Derwent River, Hobart is the charming capital city of Tasmania.  With its stunning waterfront, colonial architecture, and vibrant arts scene, Hobart has something for everyone.

The ship was cleared at 8 pm, and we headed ashore immediately to try and find some local food to sample.

We arrived Sunday evening on the final evening of the Bi-Annual Australian Wooden Boat Festival.  This 4-day event started on 10 Feb and would wrap up on the 13th,  our final day in Hobart.  The waterfront was crowded with festival participants and now with guests from the Zuiderdam.

This was also the weekend for the annual Royal Hobart Regatta.  The Regatta started in 1838 to celebrate the European discovery of Tasmania and is a public holiday in southern Tasmania.

Inside the terminal, the craft and souvenir vendors were all gone, but they would return tomorrow morning.

At the end of the pier, there was a large tent crowded with tables and festival participants dancing to the local band “Les Coqs Incroyable”.

It was approaching 9 pm, and most food booths and restaurants were either already closed or closing.  Pam picked up a basket of Sea Urchin Dumplings for everyone to sample.  They were breaded and tasted sort of like a shrimp/scallop blend.

On the way back to the ship there was a fireworks show to celebrate the Royal Hobart Regatta.

Back on the ship, a local band, Tasmania Uncovered, played for about 45 minutes on a stage set up in the aft area of the Lido Pool.

13 February

This morning was Super Bowl Sunday, and the game was broadcast on the World Stage at 10:30 am local time.  The game was rebroadcast at 6 pm in the Gallery Bar.  We didn’t attend the game but learned later that they had a nice spread of food to enjoy during the game.  Jo Johnston, Writer on Deck, attended the game and blogged about her experience HERE.

Before we left the ship today, I noticed these high-speed catamarans full of people.  I learned that these would take you from Hobart to the Museum of New and Old (MONA)  in about 25 minutes.  This world-class museum houses an eclectic collection of contemporary and ancient art, including works by some of the world’s most renowned artists. The museum is housed in a stunning underground complex with cutting-edge interactive displays and installations.    We spoke with a few people who visited MONA, and they enjoyed their visit very much.

We left the ship around 11 am, intending to visit Hobart’s four yarn shops:

• The Wool Shop, 58 Main Rd, Moonah
• The Spindle Tree, Shop 9, 77 Salamanca Place (Walkable from Ship)
• Salamanca Wool Shop, 69 Salamanca Pl (Walkable from Ship
• Bombed Yarn ,16 Smith Street, North Hobart

Unfortunately, due to the Regatta Day Holiday, The Wool Shop, The Spindle Tree, and Salamanca Wool Shop were closed.   Bombed Yarn is usually closed on Mondays, but Sarah, the shop owner, quickly responded to my email and agreed to meet us in her shop between 11 am and 1 pm.

We jumped in a taxi outside the cruise terminal and arrived at Bombed Yarns in six minutes – The fare was about $11 AUS.

Sarah was inside her shop dyeing some yarn, but she paused to welcome and show us around.  We spent about 30 minutes visiting and looking around.  She has a selection of the different yarn weights that she has dyed.  There is also a section for Sashiko, featuring thread from Hida Sashiko.  Judy bought some 4-ply fingering in a 100% Super Wash Merino.  The color is a cream base with speckles of blue, rose and green.  The color name is ‘Huckleberry, Cherry or Lime”.  She bought enough yarn to knit a cardigan which currently is her favorite thing to knit.

After our visit, we were off via Uber to Salamanca Square and met Table 89 for a noonday meal of Fish and Chips.  We settled on Phat Fish, and this place is outstanding.  You order from the counter, and then they bring you your food when it’s ready.  We all ordered the Fish and Chips, and it was outstanding, some of the best we’ve ever had.  If you are in Hobart and in the mood for fish and chips – don’t hesitate – go to Phat Fish.

Afterward, we strolled down Salamanca Place to St David’s Park, next to the Tasmania Supreme Court.  This park was originally a cemetery but was converted into a park in the 1890s.  Don’t miss the St David`s Park Memorial Walls, located on the east side of the park.  Here you will find the cemetery’s original headstones on display embedded into several concrete walls.  More HERE

All aboard was relatively early at 3:30 pm. We headed back toward the ship, taking our time to visit many shops and exhibits associated with the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.  Note:  There are several Wooden Boat Festivals at various locations across the USA.  One of the largest in the USA is in Port Townsend, WA, in Sept 2023.  More HERE

We browsed the crafts displayed on tables inside the cruise terminal before returning to the Zuiderdam

Hyperion Knight was our guest for dinner.    We always enjoy hearing his perspective on music, culture and a variety of other topics including American History and the Civil War.

Jim Short, an Australian comedian, was on the World Stage and was very funny.

Tomorrow is a Sea Day and Valentines Day