I never would have believed a few years ago that we would be in Tasmania today...the very tip of Australia...nothing but 2000 miles of ocean between here and Antarctica (Saren tell, Ashton!)
Today we went to Port Arthur which is where 67,000 convicts were sent, mostly from England in the 1800s including 3000 young boys. Many were there for stealing a silk handkerchief or something to save them from starvation. They spent most of their lives there building this whole Island.
Here's the penitentiary where they stayed and were either whipped or sent to solitary confinement. I guess some of them were pretty bad but really! When they died they were buried on a small Island called The Island of the Dead! Sad!
Here is a Tasmanian Devil....at least a picture of one! We haven't seen a live one yet because it cost $50 to get in a see them get fed. We'll wait until we get to the zoo. Apparently the name came from the horrible sound they make at night. Ther are SO cute!
Who would have thought that one of the most amazing things we have found here is a fabulous bed and breakfast. Two guys who have been partners for 23 years have created an amazing place...restoring an old house and building a "new" gardner's cottage where we are staying from timbers hand hewn by convicts. The only thing better than the houses is the gardens. It is truly incredible!
Too many fabulous pictures to send! Gotta go to dinner! Shucks!
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