TMAG 2019

Forgive me but I'm still reminiscing about my solo back pack trip to Hobart, Tasmania a month ago. On my third day and before I headed back to the airport, I went to TMAG or Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. It was just across the street from the YHA hostel I was staying. I've read that it is one of the best places to go for a museum experience including natural history, art, social, heritage, Antartica and Tasmanian Aboriginal culture. Best of all, entrance was for free except for their featured display.

So, off I went early in the morning.

There were a lot of people waiting to get in as well. It opened at 10 am and since I had a big bag with me, the staff asked me to place it in the lockers available. I had to insert a $2 coin to use the locker but I can get my coin back when I get my bag back.

There were tons of displays and here are just a few that caught my attention.

This is the Thylacine or the Tasmanian Tiger because of its striped back. It is extinct and the last known live animal was captured in 1933 and died in 1936.

A huge chocolate pan.

Different types of chairs. I love how unique the styles are and I remember a famous personality in the Philippines also collected different styles of chairs.

Interesting displays of art.

I love this colorful painting of Australia as Treasure Island.

Interesting stories and details about Antarctica. 

I love visiting museums ever since, all the more when it is free! Perfect time to cap my Hobart trip. Thank you for reading and 'til my next blog.

kunanyi/ Mt Wellington 2019

For those heading to Hobart soon, kunanyi/ Mt. Wellington visit is a must on your list of things to do. The Aboriginal culture called the mountain with numerous names but the official indigenous name is kunanyi. The mountain is unmissable as it towers over Hobart City. 

On my 2nd day at Hobart, I decided to go into the visitor center to book myself a tour for Mt. Wellington. Other people would choose to drive up there but because I can't drive, I settled with a tour. I chose the one that departs at 12 noon so I could have time to explore Salamanca Market on that Saturday morning. I paid $30 for this 2 hour tour. You can also book online for these tours but I chose to rock up to the visitor center just to ask for more details and see some alternatives they could offer. 

I came to the meeting place at least 15 minutes ahead and waited for the tour bus. Then a white van pulls up with the unmissable label. The driver, who also serves as the tour guide, asked to check our confirmation slip and let us into the bus.

On the way up, he was explaining about suburbs at the foot of the mountain and how the flora on the foot of the mountain was different from the ones on top. He was also sharing a story about a forest fire that happened before that left some trees looking dead or without leaves but the fire must have not entirely destroyed the roots that is why they are still standing until now. 

When we were at the top we were informed we had 20 minutes to explore the place. This is the pinnacle area. I was able to come up there even if I was wearing  dress and sneakers. The boulders were a bit risky to climb to.

The plants on top of the mountain are shorter than that of the ones on the foot of the mountain. One of the reason is that the winds are stronger on top, and the plants in order to survive, will grow to a few centimeters only.

I also went into the observation deck where I had read more about Mt Wellington and at the same time be protected from the wind/ cold from the outside. It is said that on top of the mountain, the temperature is 10 degrees less than that of the city.

There's also a walkway outside the Observatory for those wanting to see more of the view.

After enjoying the view and reading at some helpful facts about the mountain, our tour went halfway down the mountain to an area called  the Springs for some coffee. After that, the driver/ guide took us all back to Hobart City.

I felt it was a quick trip to kunanyi/ Mt Wellington but I'm satisfied to see what is there to see. Thank you for reading and 'til next blog!

MONA 2019

One of the things I planned to do while in Hobart was to go to the Museum of Old and New Art. It is Australia's largest private museum and one of the most controversial private collections of modern art and antiquities in the world.

There are various ways to get to MONA. One is via the MONA Ferry from Brooke St. Pier. in Hobart. Second is to drive and third is to take the Mona Roma bus. I chose the third one because it took me directly from the airport and can drop me back to the city thereafter. Cost for the return transfer was 22AUD. I booked my transport just after I touched down at Hobart Airport. 

Arriving into Mona, I could see that there was a vineyard and some other buildings in the compound before I could reach the museum. The view from outside the museum was awesome.

I just had to show my confirmation email's barcode so I can go into the museum. The staff asked me to leave my bag in the locker they provided.

One has to start from the basement and work themselves up to see the entirety of the museum. Some people took the lift down but I chose the stairs.

A bar greeted us downstairs and just up ahead was where people could claim their device. I was not able to put my email to the device so it didn't send me the list of names of the galleries and art displays that I have seen so I will try to remember them here as much as I could. There were many classifications of the things there but these were what fascinated me.

The first display was this wall with water spelling random words. I tried to capture the words on my camera but I succeeded only once.

Different words were formed from the water sprouts installed on top of the wall. Very unique.

Then a room with mirrors that made me appear multiple times.

A room where people lined up to throw glass bottles and break them into pieces. Interesting. I was not able to throw one because there were only 3 bottles left when I joined the long line.

Clear plastic bags with water in them.

There was a display wherein only one person at a time could come in and we had to queue from our device. When it was your turn to go into it, the device would display a yellow ticket.

A room that made me look like an alien? I swear this is not a filtered photo.

Well the room gave out these bright lights that made me look like a cartoon character when I took a selfie inside it.

The view from one of the cafes inside the museum. Relaxing after going through halfway of the museum.

This is awesome. The wind draws the lines from a wind turbine from the outside.

The wall of vaginas.  One of the reasons that I knew and aimed to visit  MONA.

2 goldfishes in a bowl with a knife. I liked the commentary for this art. If I remember it right, it was about perception and fear of danger.

This is the fat car. In a world where people would always aim to have the better things or bigger things - the fat car has materialized.

I spent a good 2-3 hours in the museum before it was time to take the bus again this time to the city. It was nice finally seeing MONA for myself and I could say bucket list ticked!

Thank you for reading and 'til next blog!

Hobart 2019

I had the opportunity to do a solo backpacking trip even if I am in a relationship. Joel had been to Hobart, Tasmania before and had work to do over the weekend therefore, he easily agreed for me to go on my own. It is rare for me to have a weekend off so I grabbed the chance. Here's how I did my Hobart 2019 trip.

1. Flights - it is easy to score cheap flights to Hobart as it is near to Melbourne. Tigerair, Jetstar and Virgin Air would sometimes put up a sale for their flights. Sometimes it could be as low as $35 (USD 25). For my trip, I used the credits that I had from Tigerair for my flight going there and I purchased a flight from Virgin Air just because I haven't ridden with them before.

2. Accommodations - there are lots to choose from but I finally decided on YHA Hobart Central. I wanted to stay in the heart of the city and I booked for a 4 share female room with private bathroom for $42 (USD 30) per night. On the first night, the room was full but on the second night there was only one lady with me. The place is very near to the visitor center, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Salamanca Place. The room was clean and the staff were helpful so I was happy with my choice.

Places I visited in Hobart:

1. Mona (Museum of Old and New Art)

From the airport, I booked the bus trip that would take me to Mona Museum from the airport and drop me back to the city after. It cost me $22. The museum ticket was $28. I booked all this while at Hobart Airport. The bus getting me from the airport cannot be missed and goes through the city before going into Mona. I was the only passenger on the bus from the airport. 3 ladies later joined me in the bus when we stopped in the city.

I preferred the bus ride than the ferry ride to Mona. The driver, Heather, was quick to point out things along the way. In Mona, I had to put my bag to a free locker before going in. Then I had to collect the O app. It was fun walking through the halls and discovering quirky and interesting things in display. I will write a separate blog about it pretty soon!

Mona's wall of vaginas

2. Docks and The Parliament House

The constitutional dock was pretty close to where I stayed. I had an amazing late lunch at one of the stores near the dock as recommended by the Mona bus driver, Heather.

The Parliament House was also pretty near. I loved that there were flowers in front of it. As per wikipedia, it was originally designed as a customs house but changed use in 1841 when Tasmania acheived self- government. I've heard that this is the meeting place of most people in Hobart. They would usually meet up at the grounds of the Parliament House and go somewhere else after.

3. Parks- There were about 3 parks in the CBD that I've been to. Franklin Park, Parliament Park and Princes Park. The beautiful scenery along with the wonderful weather when I was down there added to my awesome time hanging out at the parks.

4. Salamanca Market and Salamanca Place- this was just a few blocks from me. On Saturdays, a road is blocked to make way for the Salamanca Market. Local produce, Tasmanian souvenirs and lots of other things can be found here. I enjoyed walking through the market and stayed for almost 3 hours. I love to support local products and so bought locally produced apples, chocolates and a massage oil.

Since it was a week away from Chinese New Year, there was also a mini presentation showcasing Chinese talent at the Salamance grounds. At first, there were ladies dancing in colorful costumes, then a group of kids proud of their taekwando skills, Chinese ladies showing their rapping skills and of course the highlight was the dragon dance. 

5. Battery Point - Very near to Salamanca Market. I watched the boats make their way to the dock while I was in here. I walked around and found old houses and some shops as well.

As it was summer, I found a lot of nice flowers growing at the sides of the street or in the parks.

6. Kunanyi/Mt. Wellington - booked my tour from the visitor center. Cost was $30 and the duration was 2 hours. The bus picked us up from just outside the visitor center. The driver served as the tour guide as well. We were given 20 minutes to roam around the pinnacle of Mt Wellington and about 20 minutes to get coffee from the Springs. I will write a separate blog about it soon, too!

8. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery

This is just across the street from where I stayed in Hobart. The admission is free but you have to pay for entry to their featured gallery. When I was there, the featured gallery was about Dinosaurs. 

The place is interesting as well. I learned about the Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger which is now extinct due to environmental pressure and hunting. 

I saw a collection of coins, paintings a lot more including different kinds of chairs. 

I particularly liked this colorful and unique painting of Australia as Treasure Island. 

During my short stint in Hobart, I ate whatever I want. I had fish and chips which was one of the best ones I had. My mouth waters every time I see this photo.

Another must try is their Scallop Pie. After my trip to Mt. Wellington, I hurried up back to Salamanca Market to buy some but most of the shops have already closed. I decided to walk around and found a bakery that advertised it. I went in and got lucky that they still have one more left. I've never tried nor heard about one before. It was pretty good and it was slightly curried. I was so full that it served as my dinner.

If I stayed longer, I would have wanted to go to other places outside Hobart such as Port Arthur. But since I had to go back to work, I'll just wish I can find time to visit Hobart again in the future.

Thank you for reading and 'til next blog!