As I sit to write this blog, it is the night before I am due to leave this beautiful island state of Australia – Tasmania. I can hear the washing machine (and then the dryer) in the bathroom of my “apartment” running and doing the washing before I head home tomorrow, where I won’t have to do the holiday/ education washing as it is mostly already done.

The purpose of this travel was primarily to attend a conference 2 full days and a day of workshops and what a fabulous investment that has been – Pacifica Congress you did good. When not masquerading as a wanna be blogger, I am a lawyer working in family law, a challenging and at times heart wrenching world to work in. Having said that, all jobs have their good side and not so good side and there are so many that I would not want to do as there are many who would not want to do what I want to do – horses for courses.

What attending this conference has enabled me to do is to see some more of this beautiful location. I arrived on Sunday 27 August, I return home on Sunday 3 September. I have learned and I have enjoyed some valuable downtime.

That first Sunday and Monday were spent exploring (on the Sunday) then heading to MONA (on the Monday) in the Posh Pit on the ferry and spending the day at MONA before heading back to where I came from.

Sullivans Cove was named after someone special as was Salamanca, a beautiful location. I have since learned that Salamanca is named after the Duke of Wellington’s 1812 victory in the Spanish province of that name. There remains the line of warehouses that greeted the early convicts and settlers. I love the sandstone, it speaks of a millennia and so much more of formation. It just makes you, want to touch it. The tooling of the stone and the warmth of the colour speak to me. It is a beautiful soft colour, quiet and comforting.

Anyways…exploring this area and admiring the buildings was time very much enjoyed (including the book shop). MONA is an education. Check your sensibilities at the door. If you are easily offended, just don’t bother going. This is one man’s vision – love him and it or not. It takes courage and tenacity to create, a vision to bring the site together and an amazing dedication. I had heard various things and none of them are wrong – they are interpretations. It is an experience. The vast array of art is phenomenal. It spans time of long past to recent, it has art that seems understandable and much that is interpretative. There is also a winery where you can do a wine tasting – I would suggest you do. It is a nice way to spend some time.

The Posh Pit on the ferry is a decadent way to travel across and back – ample amounts of sparkling wine from the associated vineyard and delectable snacks. For the relatively small extra fee, do it.

There are places to sit and enjoy the sun, to sip a beverage and eat a snack. There is a lovely restaurant but most of all there is the growing museum and all it has to offer.

What a fabulous day – so glad I did it. Download the app and log on to the Wi-Fi as you descend into solid sandstone and your connection with the outside world becomes very misty. The app gives you information about the art works you are looking at. It tells you able the café and restaurant and everything else. I hear the coffee is good. Take time to explore, spend a good half day going through the exhibits, checking the tunnels and attempting to ensure you missed nothing – it’s worth the experience. The Museum continues to grow and no doubt a further visit will be required in a few years time.

The evening was quiet. The water peaceful, the sky clear. It is a magical time of year.