worked out, tried to breath shallow to avoid getting high from the paint-stripper fumes from outside. class, bookstore, homework, practice final #2 (way harder than the first one). thought i’d bang it out tonight so i could ask questions tomorrow, but no way i’m going to finish it in a reasonable amount of time.

worked out, tried not to give the housepainters and eyeful. class, dentist (no cavities!), homework, study for final.

be sure to rollover ‘notes’ to see photo captions!

We ported in Hobart, Tasmania and enjoyed a room service breakfast. The particular brand of Australian yogurt the ship stocked was the best yogurt I’ve ever tasted.

We took a bus tour from Hobart out to the countryside, where we saw acres and acres of hops fields. Tasmania is the largest hop-growing area in the Southern hemisphere! We saw gorgeous sweeping plains and rolling hills - beautiful even though the state was in the grip of a serious drought.

We visited Mt. Field National Park, the smallest national park in Tasmania, and home to Russell Falls. We walked through the forest, under giant tree ferns and over creeks. We saw cute little rufus wallabies everywhere! Russell Falls was secluded and magical-feeling, even though the drought left it at a mere trickle. I hiked a side path to Horseshoe Falls (I think), and heard white cockatoos in the trees.

We went on to Meadowbank, where we were treated to a private tour of the sheep farm and winery - something they only do for Princess Cruises. The owner, Gerald Ellis, demonstrated a sheep muster with his dogs, old Cooter and young, eager Ruby. He directed them, all the way up in the hills, using only whistles!

After the muster, Andrew demonstrated shearing a Merino sheep. Our model was a sheep they call a ‘criminal’ - a Merino that managed to avoid the yearly shear and now carried far too much wool.

We were served a homemade BBQ dinner outdoors, by Gerald and his family and staff. We were able to taste and purchase their delicious wines. The cruise videographer sat at our table and we got to hear a lot of anecdotes about life aboard ship, and the cruise industry in general.

On to Bonorong Wildlife Park, and if we were worried we wouldn’t get to see a kangaroo…there were kangaroos everywhere! Not the giant red kangaroos, but smaller (still imposing) kangaroos, which hopped about freely in a giant enclosure. There was feed, and they eagerly ate from our hands! We could rub their necks (a place that’s hard for them to get to) and feel their soft, coarse fur and sharp-clawed, clever hands. We saw emus too, and Tasmanian devils, running around in circles and growling!

At the end, we got to see the main attraction - the koalas! The keeper brought out Banjo - a 30-35 lb. koala who was about 17 years old (koalas usually only live to 12!). He was sleepy and patient, and calmly clung to his branch while we all clambered to get our photos taken and pet his soft little back.

We were running really short of time, but on our way out I was able to pet a wombat! Wombats are my favorite - cute little faces, look like squares from above, and fur that feels sort of like a kangaroo (coarse like a little brush!).

Back on the ship we went to Aunt Linnea’s for snacks, then had dinner at Santa Fe. Afterwards, we caught the stage show ‘Do You Wanna Dance?’

worked out, class, test, read ’sunset’ magazine outside in the sunshine while I waited for class to resume. home, homework, studying for the final. delicious dinner - roast chicken on german-style seeded wheat bread with green apple.

slept in, I so needed it! spent all day doing homework and studying for my test and starting to review for my final.

worked out, met renee and angie for a ‘hooray you got a new job!’ brunch in angie’s honor. red velvet pancakes and chinese chicken salad! afterwards, we went to the renegade craft fair. I got some awesome birthday cards and two cute necklaces. I really wanted to buy the stuffed apatosaurus, but I resisted. it was so hot out there, we got yogurtland afterwards to recover. home for a bit, thought about doing homework but was too tired. spent the evening with meghan - ‘julie & julia’ and potstickers and beer and a sleepy puppy. so tired, but a great day.

by hannah from honey & jam

instead of working out, cleaned like a maniac. scrubbed those cabinets so hard i worked up a sweat. class, learned about matrices, have to start studying for the final this weekend - it’s in one week! dropped my car off to get the brakes replaced, cleaned some more. worked up a sweat scrubbing the kitchen floor. picked up car, got snacks, finished cleaning and had a couple people over for last-minute ‘the neverending story’ viewing! renee and i were the only ones who’d seen it before. terry came over after her play, and we ate ice cream sandwiches and looked at grindr. didn’t make it out to the first night of alex’s residency, but had a really great night :)

timex vintage field watch