Twisting Thru Tasmania

David – nice stalk! we expect to arrive around noon in Burnie, Tasmania tomorrow.

RachelG – I'd love to hear abut your land tour. Did you make it to the Atacama Desert? Do tell more when you've got the time.

We arrived a few minutes behind schedule into Hobart. Everyone was really ready to get off the ship and kiss terra firma. Quarantine officers and security thought differently, and abounded at this port of call.

We boarded our coach for a tour of historic Richmond and the bonorogo wildlife sanctuary. All in all, a good 3 hour tour. The minders swear the Tasmanian Devils are misunderstood timid creatures .. but they have an ear piercing scream. They are about the size of a Cocker spaniel .. rounder in the middle and with a slightly longer tail.

Why twist thru Tasmania? The Tasman Sea – Devill that it can be, of course. The ship pitched, rolled and slammed us around last night. All those around us were chatting vigorously this morning about the considerable sea conditions. I slept through it, save the vague resounding 'whack' from the front of the vessel sometime during the night.

We had our karaoke night and it was good fun. Several of the passengers and one of our bar waitresses put on amazing performances. Our singers on board and our chef pitched in, valiantly performing several numbers for those of us who were designated back up singers. I like Michele's suggestion of sticking to 'freebird' or 'wipe out' should I ever venture into the Iron Karaoke Arena again.

Once again, we had weird weather. Pleasant during the morning, muggy and hot at lunch, blustery winds in the afternoon with sprinkling showers, and a lock down on the gangway for a time, as the wind was blowing the gangway around and we lost a rope. Once repaired, we proceeded back on Noah's Ark – 2 by 2, and moved quickly to clear the gangway for the next to board.

Trivia? We defeated the Aussie Battlers, but democracy got in the way of second place. We were not at all on the proper page for 'paraffin' or 'Omega'. There is always tomorrow. Prize point count is standing at 71. At this rate, we'll get 3 Silversea logo luggage tags.

We learned our dock was ice damaged over the weekend, and the snow piles remain challenging in Minnesota. It's getting time to head for Tennis (a new onboard friend loaned me Serena Williams' memoir, "Queen of the Court" to get ready) and then it's time to head home.

Cheers, Anne