Anna's Next Adventure: A flying visit to Hobart ...

Sullivans Cove wharf area

Being my home city, three nights and two full days were probably not enough to fully show off the city to C. There were so many things that I wanted to share with him - touristy places and also places where I spent a lot of time growing up. Of course, there were several old friends I wanted to catch up with. So, it's fair to say that we did not stop once we arrived in Hobart (which was kind of a shame because we didn't get to enjoy our upgrade to a king apartment!)

Interviewing Wild Oats after the Sydney-Hobart yacht race

Another Sydney-Hobart contender, drying all their gear out

To begin with, we spent nearly every single meal at the Taste of Tasmania, where there was a huge variety of Tasmanian food, wine and entertainment to be enjoyed. The standout food and drink were the seafood sausages from Silver Hill Fisch and the Sauvignon Blanc from Bream Creek Vineyard - if you're after a great Australian Sauv Blanc, you can't go past this one (it's about $25 at Dan Murphy's).

Catching up with girlfriends from school

Salamanca

We were lucky enough to be in Hobart on a Saturday which meant that we could enjoy the famous Salamanca Market. As a Hobartian, the markets are normally a place to go once in a while and certainly not purchase any Huon Pine knick-knacks. However, I was there as an ex-Hobartian, desperate to hang on to a little bit of home when I return to Canada, so I bought a Huon Pine cheeseboard with knives and a Huon Pine photo frame. I also stumbled across a stall selling the most wonderful handbags, Henk Berg. The bags are just divine and the girls at the stall (including Lara, Henk's daughter) are lovely. I have one on order and I'll post a picture when it arrives.

Fruit and veg at Salamanca market

Arty bike racks at Salamanca

A visit to Hobart is not complete without a drive up Mt Wellington. We scooted up there while the sun was out only to have the clouds roll in once we were at the top, but not before I quickly managed to point out the interesting landmarks to C. He was surprised at how barren it was at the top.

Cute little home in Battery Point, near where we stayed

Mt Wellington from Battery Point

A new 'must-do in Hobart' experience is a visit to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art. If you've even so much as glanced at an Australian newspaper in the past year, you'll know all about MONA. It is a truly bizarre and intriguing experience. The museum is mostly underground and is filled with controversial objects of new art (for example, a machine that simulates your digestive system, complete with smells and turds at the end; a wall of casts of real women's vaginas; a 'death' room) offset by examples of really old art such as 6000 year old Egyptian coins. On site, there is also a brewery and winery. The museum also offers a ferry service which allows you to get a glimpse of Hobart from a different perspective. When in Hobart, you should definitely visit this museum but be prepared to have your senses challenged.

The Taste of Tasmania from the water

More Sydney-Hobart yachts

A definite highlight of visiting Hobart was taking C to see all the places where I spent a lot of time growing up. We took a drive out to my old home (more on that tomorrow) and also down to Monmouth Pony Club where I used to spend nearly every weekend from ages 8 to 18. We also visited my old high school, Friends, with its beautiful old buildings and the North Hobart football oval, where I spent many a Saturday afternoon watching Dad play and coach football.