I FED A “ROO”! Hobart, Australia

We arrived in Hobart last Wednesday and were told to be prepared to go through Australian customs- where they require a “face to face” with each guest. So we know by now how much these passengers LOVE a good line- aka how to CUT any lines. From the Tiger Bar windows onboard we saw the line and decided to wait until they eventually kicked us off as Australian customs requires the ship to be emptied out!

We waited probably 30 minutes in line humored by a lady who refused to stay in line and had to stand in the sun much to the frustration of the customs officials. It’s like a freaking soap opera on this ship!

Once cleared we had signed up for a “free” shore excursion to visit the Bonorong Animal Sanctuary. Told our bus would be MUCH DELAYED- we found Abraham a local cab driver who gave us a great price to the sanctuary- no wait fee- return to ship. It’s about 30 minutes from the port. But Dre was hungry so Abraham took us to the local Banjo Bakery where we got a snack. Abraham was Indian and had lived in Ireland before relocating 14 years ago to Hobart with wife and daughter in nursing school!

We arrived and were greeted by the nicest volunteers who told us it’s tourists like us that keep their doors open.

Once in we saw a few birds and loads of wooden boxes with “kangaroo food” on them- for us to take. We saw a Tanzanian Devil who ran around in circle named Milly and another who was blind in one eye so she just goes around and round! Those little creatures live up to their name-their screaming is like something out of Linda Blair’s mouth in the Exorcist!!!!

Then in this wide open area we met over 12 kangaroos who were just “hanging out”- obviously very used to being around humans and honestly overfed with “roo food” they were incredible. I fed several, “emotionally bonded” with 1 little lady- but I think the relationship was a lot deeper for me than for her. The only annoyance was the passengers oblivious to anyone but themselves would stick their hands in front of me to pet a kangaroo or knock people over to get to one.

They sat and let us pet them but one couldn’t forget that if pissed their claws and the tail that helps them bop around could kick your ass without much effort! They have 10-12 of them bouncing around and behind a fence were maybe 50-60 more who were resting. I think they rotate them out so they can nap/rest and get away from the lunatic tourists!

We saw a weird little guy that kinds of looked like a porcupine but was a native Australian animal called an echidna and an emu!

Around another bend a keeper was holding a 4 month old baby wombat and he made sure Dre and I got our selfies!

A few more animals and a stop at the gift shop and we were on our way back to the port but not before ANOTHER stop at Banjos for some Hot Crossed Buns, scones, shortbread cookies and blueberry tarts for Dre Dre.

Abraham dropped us off at the Port where there was a line of “fish and chippy” almost food trucks but on the water. We devoured fish sandwiches, calamari, shrimp and tried hard not to feed these gorgeous seagulls who were waiting patiently for us to drop ANYTHING!!!

After lunch and seeing some of Andre’s MSC staff constituents on their off time and the Hotel Manager and Beverage Manager on a “slow stroll” in uniform- we made our way past the University of Hobart and these incredible bronze statues of women - all named and who were on some of the first ships to arrive in Hobart and many gave birth on board!!

Locals had set up lovely souvenir stalls inside the Port. Clothing- I found a gorgeous linen top to little hand poured silver animals, to a Tasmanian Devil headband- aka a john McEnroe head band with the ears and eyes of a devil! Dre insisted I buy - you can decide why?!?!

The people were much like New Zealand- friendly, artsy and so talented!

By the time we got back we’d walked over 10k steps and I was dead! It was less like a nap and more like I dropped dead from the heat and exhaustion but a great day for all!