After breakfast, we went to the Marina Lounge to exchange our Mount Wellington Descent tickets for numbered bus tickets. Libby, one of the GoNext contacts traveling with us told us to break a leg. We teased her back that one should only tell people about to go on stage to "break a leg", not people about to decend from a mountain summit on a bike! Our number was called and we walked off the ship and through the cruise terminal to a waiting van pulling a trailer of bikes. There were eleven of us on the tour in addition to two guides. The featured male singer, Lawrence, a young man from California, was in our group and sat with us in the back seat of the van.
The van drove through town with one of our guides, Alstair or Dave, sharing interesting facts about Hobart. His accent was a little different from what we heard in Geelong, Melbourne and Sydney, so it took a bit of time to get used to. The top of the mountain could not be seen as it was covered with mist and fog. We began our drive up the mountain, with Joyce growing more nervous as we ascended. We couldn't really see anything because of the fog. Soon the trees (that we could see...the road was barely visible let alone the trees, especially with all the twists and turns) began to be smaller.
When we reached the summit, there were very few trees, a few scrubby bushes and lots of large rocks and boulders. It was raining, windy and cold. Two of the women decided they didn't want to ride the bikes and would ride in the warmth of the van. One of the guides would lead us down the mountain on the bikes with the other following us in the van. The guides fitted us with rain jackets, reflective vests, helmets and gloves...we were a little surprised they didn't hand out life jackets. The guides chose a bike for us and adjusted the seat.
Still apprehensive, Joyce decided to ride the 2 km. to our first stop. We rode the bikes around the parking area at the summit, getting used to them and testing the disc brakes, which were reversed with the back wheel brake on the left. There was lots of squeaking as we all tested the brakes and tires on the wet pavement.
We rode on, now beginning to ride past some houses, with the temperature a little warmer. The rain stopped, but it was still foggy. We stopped at an old brewery for rest, regrouping, and pictures. From there we rode by the 'Female Factory', which was a part of the convict history, not something more scandalous.
The van drove through town with one of our guides, Alstair or Dave, sharing interesting facts about Hobart. His accent was a little different from what we heard in Geelong, Melbourne and Sydney, so it took a bit of time to get used to. The top of the mountain could not be seen as it was covered with mist and fog. We began our drive up the mountain, with Joyce growing more nervous as we ascended. We couldn't really see anything because of the fog. Soon the trees (that we could see...the road was barely visible let alone the trees, especially with all the twists and turns) began to be smaller.
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| This is what we should have been seeing from the top of Mount Wellington. |
When we reached the summit, there were very few trees, a few scrubby bushes and lots of large rocks and boulders. It was raining, windy and cold. Two of the women decided they didn't want to ride the bikes and would ride in the warmth of the van. One of the guides would lead us down the mountain on the bikes with the other following us in the van. The guides fitted us with rain jackets, reflective vests, helmets and gloves...we were a little surprised they didn't hand out life jackets. The guides chose a bike for us and adjusted the seat. Still apprehensive, Joyce decided to ride the 2 km. to our first stop. We rode the bikes around the parking area at the summit, getting used to them and testing the disc brakes, which were reversed with the back wheel brake on the left. There was lots of squeaking as we all tested the brakes and tires on the wet pavement.
We started off, single file with Joyce in back. It was comforting knowing that if something went wrong, the van was behind us. Joyce's glasses were immediately covered with water droplets, but it was still possible to see. The bike, including the brakes worked well and it was a quick two kilometers. Joyce was comfortable on the bike and with the speed and decided to continue the next segment, four kilometers this time. The light rain continued as did the fog but is was fun to ride down the mountain, even if we couldn't see much.
At the next stop, Alan decided to use the head mount for the GoPro and shoot some video while riding. Joyce decided to take off her glasses, storing them in the backpack. That wasn't a great decision, as water from the front wheel began splashing onto her face and into her eyes as the raindrops got bigger, just like the trees. Oh, well, it was still fun, and the rain seemed to be pulling down some of the fog.
YouTube Video test of the ride (a lower quality snap of the video is below...now I'll work on getting something better put together and posted!)
YouTube Video test of the ride (a lower quality snap of the video is below...now I'll work on getting something better put together and posted!)
As we came into the outskirts of Hobart, we needed to pedal some and Joyce had trouble with the gears on her bike. Not to worry, because the van was behind her and the guide had good instructions. The gears were adjusted, but the chain would slip as she pedaled. It finally came off as she pedaled but didn't go anywhere. She walked the bike to the next stop and the guide riding with the group put it back on. We continued to ride, with the chain continuing to slip intermittently. Joyce tried shifting up a gear and down a gear, which often works on her bike at home, but it didn't seem to help. As she was crossing an intersection, the chain slipped off again, with Joyce hitting the calf of her leg on the chain. Joyce decided it was best to stop riding and get into the van. She walked the bike to the van and the guide secured it on the trailer and she rode back to the pier in the van. She is glad she had the experience.
Alan got a lot of attention from the remaining bikers due to the camera on his head. He did a quick survey to see if there was any objection to posting video of the descent on YouTube, and everyone seemed to be fine with it.
The bikers met the van at the pier. Alan and Joyce were both very wet. We were glad the ship was close. We came back on board, changed clothes and went to the Waves grill near the swimming pool on board for burger and panini sandwiches, custom made to our specifications.
After lunch we set out to explore Hobart. Alan had ridden with the bikers through Salmanaca Market, so we decided to walk there. It wasn't raining, but it was still very cloudy/foggy. We still couldn't see the top of Mount Wellington. We walked past the Parliment Building and on to the market. We walked through small squares with fountains and sculptures.
We browsed shops selling clothes, wooden art pieces, aboriginal art shops, and those selling woolen garments, socks, scarves etc. Of course, we also had to check out the grocery store to see what Tasmanians did for food.
As we wandered from one small square, through a building walkway, we saw a sign for Christian Art in a secular setting. We were intrigued and decided to check it out. Most of the paintings were large and the style was modern. Sandi, when you see the pictures you can help me with descriptive terms. :-) There were paintings and sculptures depicting the creation and many of the parables. The artist is Maz Gill-Harper and we enjoyed talking to her. We wanted to purchase a book with many of the prints of the parables, but she didn't take credit cards and since we were leaving Australia that day, had spent our Australian dollars. We picked up a bookmark with one of the paintings and a poem. We very much enjoyed our time talking to a fellow Christian from another place and culture. For more information go to http://www.maztaz.com/index.html
Near the Salmanaca markets was a grain elevator that has been converted into flats (apartments). We figured that there were enough people in our circles that would appreciate seeing that.
We made our way back to the pier, enjoying the harbor, with its fishing boats and yachts, the barnacle encrusted moorings, and the piles of lobster traps. We had been comparing prices on several items, and decided that the shops that we first saw off the boat were good prices and good quality. So we did some more shopping and didn't have far to cart our purchases this time.
We left Hobart at around 6 p.m. Joyce enjoys watching the
ship leave the port, so she went up to deck 14 to watch. At 6:30 p.m. we attended an informal reception for the other Boilermakers traveling with GoNext. Two other couples were there, both we had met at an earlier reception. Since we are now "old friends" we enjoyed visiting for about an hour before going to the Grand Dining Room for dinner.
We met David and Nirvair from Vancouver. Nirvair grew up in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and David grew up in Canada and South Africa. They are both doctors. We both declined wine at dinner, which was something we had in common right away. We had a very enjoyable dinner talking with them. They have cruised several times with Oceania and the dining staff offered to prepare an Indian dinner for them. Nirvair selected the dishes to be prepared and they graciously invited us to join them. We gladly accepted and will dine with them tomorrow evening.
We joked several times with Lawrence coming down Mount Wellington that he needed to be careful since he was scheduled to do a solo show that evening. He survived and did a very nice program from his 'Little Black Book,' that highlighted people and places from his personal and performing past. Lawrence has been on Broadway, regional theater, studied opera, and done a myriad of styles. Listening to him was a fun way to end a fun day. If you are interested in learning more about him, or listening to some of his work, here is his YouTube page, and this is his professional page.
Alan got a lot of attention from the remaining bikers due to the camera on his head. He did a quick survey to see if there was any objection to posting video of the descent on YouTube, and everyone seemed to be fine with it.The bikers met the van at the pier. Alan and Joyce were both very wet. We were glad the ship was close. We came back on board, changed clothes and went to the Waves grill near the swimming pool on board for burger and panini sandwiches, custom made to our specifications.
After lunch we set out to explore Hobart. Alan had ridden with the bikers through Salmanaca Market, so we decided to walk there. It wasn't raining, but it was still very cloudy/foggy. We still couldn't see the top of Mount Wellington. We walked past the Parliment Building and on to the market. We walked through small squares with fountains and sculptures. We browsed shops selling clothes, wooden art pieces, aboriginal art shops, and those selling woolen garments, socks, scarves etc. Of course, we also had to check out the grocery store to see what Tasmanians did for food.As we wandered from one small square, through a building walkway, we saw a sign for Christian Art in a secular setting. We were intrigued and decided to check it out. Most of the paintings were large and the style was modern. Sandi, when you see the pictures you can help me with descriptive terms. :-) There were paintings and sculptures depicting the creation and many of the parables. The artist is Maz Gill-Harper and we enjoyed talking to her. We wanted to purchase a book with many of the prints of the parables, but she didn't take credit cards and since we were leaving Australia that day, had spent our Australian dollars. We picked up a bookmark with one of the paintings and a poem. We very much enjoyed our time talking to a fellow Christian from another place and culture. For more information go to http://www.maztaz.com/index.htmlNear the Salmanaca markets was a grain elevator that has been converted into flats (apartments). We figured that there were enough people in our circles that would appreciate seeing that. We made our way back to the pier, enjoying the harbor, with its fishing boats and yachts, the barnacle encrusted moorings, and the piles of lobster traps. We had been comparing prices on several items, and decided that the shops that we first saw off the boat were good prices and good quality. So we did some more shopping and didn't have far to cart our purchases this time.We left Hobart at around 6 p.m. Joyce enjoys watching the
The cruise director had announced earlier that at about 8:15 p.m. the ship would be passing interesting geological features of dolomite rocks rising out of the sea on the port side of the ship. We requested a table on the port side which we were told could be accommodated if we were willing to share a table. We said we were willing and were seated with the couple in line behind us.
We met David and Nirvair from Vancouver. Nirvair grew up in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and David grew up in Canada and South Africa. They are both doctors. We both declined wine at dinner, which was something we had in common right away. We had a very enjoyable dinner talking with them. They have cruised several times with Oceania and the dining staff offered to prepare an Indian dinner for them. Nirvair selected the dishes to be prepared and they graciously invited us to join them. We gladly accepted and will dine with them tomorrow evening.We joked several times with Lawrence coming down Mount Wellington that he needed to be careful since he was scheduled to do a solo show that evening. He survived and did a very nice program from his 'Little Black Book,' that highlighted people and places from his personal and performing past. Lawrence has been on Broadway, regional theater, studied opera, and done a myriad of styles. Listening to him was a fun way to end a fun day. If you are interested in learning more about him, or listening to some of his work, here is his YouTube page, and this is his professional page.
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