A Hobart Summer…

We’ve had such a brilliant couple of weeks here in Hobart, I really can’t stress enough - you must plan to come over next January.  It’s hot, jaw-droppingly beautiful and there is so much to see and do. Most of it is organised by MONA, but hey, they do it well so who’s complaining.

MOMA, is the new Saturday market, for people who prefer not to get up at the crack of dawn to rifle through tourist nasties and who enjoy a spot of music and beer of a Saturday arvo.

The Harvest stall is a stand out - it’s jam packed with delights. We bought two days worth of vegies for $4.50. The other stalls are brilliant too. I tried the plum icecream from one, and Richard tried one of Jucy Lucy’s detox juices. Both met with approval. I bought a lovely bunch of flowers from a flower stall run by the lovely lady from Peppermint Farm, which is on the way to Cygnet - wouldn’t mind dropping in there for a Spring visit!

Next time we go, we’ll gather together a bunch of friends, have a champagne on the ferry, try some Belgian beers in the bar and sit on the grass eating extra long Argentinian kebab thingees and lusting after the beautiful blue water that surrounds us.

What a way to start a festival! Have a free concert, in a car park, right in the centre of Hobart.  Good thinking MONA FOMA!!

Last night we went to the opening night of MONA FOMA.  It’s a week long music and arts festival officially run by MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, Hobart’s world renowned art museum, but largely organised by Brian Ritchie, Hobart’s most well-known emigrant. Heaps of events are free, and most are cheap.  We’ll be seeing the Dresden Dolls next week, for only $25.00. Then we’ll investigate Tune Yards playing inside a gorgeous old theatre, for free. It was great to head down the street last night and see a crowd of 7000 old and new Tasmanians embracing what was on offer.  Most were dressed for a visit to Antarctica which I thought was a bit extreme, it doesn’t get too cold here at night (in summer)! But it was great to see everyone enjoying the Mongolian covers band, the guy who can play four digeridoos at once and all the 60 year olds trying to jump the back wall and immediately getting hauled off by security.  They breed them agile round here! Hobart has a great community spirit and this was a brilliant example of it. Now bring on the music!!