Good Morning Everyone

Good Morning from Penguin and Me

Yesterday we had a bit of travel and camera work. Last week we started a new book. There are photos up today as well from a well known Tasmanian tourist spot.

Let’s begin.

First the book. The latest book is by Tasmanian author Konrad Muller. He is a Tasmania implant as many of us are.

Konrad Muller grew up in Melbourne, studied Arabic in Egypt, and was posted as an Australian diplomat to Cairo and Tel Aviv. He now works on a small family vineyard in northern Tasmania. His literary writings have appeared in The London Magazine. My Heart at Evening is his first novel.

Robert Dessaix (author) describes it as: A glossy black cockatoo of a book, as black as midnight, menacingly courtly, with mischievous scarlet flashes.

There is Tassie history, nature and mystery I am told. I actually went to the launch of this book awhile back at Fullers book store so am looking forward to seeing what it is about.

Now onto the travel. Yes it was only a day but it was still travel. I joined a photography tour run by Tasmanian Photography Tours. {Wilkography_Tasmania)

There were 8 of us with two professional photographer guides. Ben and Charles. We hopped into the mini van and drove the hour plus up to Triabunna on the east coast of Tasmania. We then received a big box of yummy sandwiches and one of the members shared a wonderful almond cake.

We hopped onto the Maria Island ferry with a million very excited Asian tourists (it is summer tourist season after all) and off we went on the 35 minute journey to the island. Once on the island everyone dispersed and the island seemed almost vacant. Except for us.

Maria Island is a mountainous island located in the Tasman Sea, off the east coast of Tasmania, Australia. The 115.5-square-kilometre island is entirely occupied by the Maria Island National Park, which includes a marine area of 18.78 square kilometres off the island’s northwest coast. It is a car-free national park. It is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, abundant wildlife (including wombats, kangaroos, and Tasmanian devils), and rich convict history.

Cape Barron goose

As it was a very bright sunny day the wombats, wallabies and devils of course were sound asleep somewhere out of sight. However we did have fun photographing the Cape Barren geese. These birds are of significant size and they do have quite the attitude.

We hiked up and down hills, through the bush and admired the beautiful views all while learning new photography strategies from our hosts. It was lots of fun. We got back to the dock at 2:30 and headed back to mainland Tassie.

We were presented with a great big box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts for afternoon tea and that just added to a lovely day. Another half hour drive to the north and we landed on Kelvedon Beach. We spent around an hour pr so there enjoying the Tasman Sea and surrounding area with our tripods and cameras. I finally arrived home at 7:30 pm, was in bed at ten and slept a good 9 hours as I was exhausted after the almost 9 km walk up and down hills, over loose sand, rocks and the freshest air on the planet. What is it about older age and fatigue?

I didn’t think one could do a lot on the island in just a few hours but I was wrong. It is certainly accessible from Hobart for a day trip. Some people were camping or staying in some historic basic colonial accommodation on the island. But the day trip is still very doable and a lot of fun. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I would like to visit again when not a hot summer day and the wildlife are more active.

So there we have it. Another week of life.

The Penguin has a good question for you all this week.