Feb 17....Hobart, Tasmania, where the devils live (but didn't see one,
only fluffy toys).
At first glance the city was rather disappointing, a bit like a
suburban English town.
But we found a very large outdoor Saturday market which turned out to
be very interesting. Then we can to the inner harbour which was very
attractive, and we had great lunch in the Blue Skies restaurant outside
on a terrace overlooking the water.
Very good indeed, but it also turned very hot, but we found shade.
Many of the old buildings gad been turned into craft and artists
studios. All very pleasant, but not a place we would want to come back
to. N. Z. is still No 1.

Tomorrow is a day at sea, then on Monday morning we arrive in
Melbourne, Australia. We have arranged to meet Lorraine and Jack, our
English friends from Bethel and Florida. They have been in Australia
for 3 months on holiday. Should be a fun day.

Melbourne was a fun day. We met L and J at 8AM, had breakfast with them
in a cafe (we could not invite them on board due to strict security),
and then they took us on a guided tour of the city with long lunch
break for sea food and wine at a beach restaurant. They know the city
well because their son lives here and have visited before. Such nice
people and it was great meeting up with them. Last time was about six
months ago in St Augustine, Florida.
We now set sail for Sydney, arriving at 7PM (Tues 20th) for big
celebrations as the Queen Mary will be there also on it's world cruise.
Lots of horn tooting and a firework display over Sydney Harbour.