Update from Kathryn

Greetings blog followers!
Wish you could all be here with us:)

Yesterday Gary, Heather, and I went on the AirWalk in the rainforest (with local Rotarian hosts Gerry and Anne). Tasmania has what is called a temperate (vs. tropical) rainforest- just like Chile. We got great pictures and explored a number of new trees such as the ancient Huon Pine and the Eucalypt/ Gum Tree. This was a great experience and the forest smelled so good!! I was breathing in the fresh air so deeply (to clean my lungs of course) I was almost making myself dizzy!

Today was another fantastic day. We had our first presentation at a waterfront breakfast meeting for the Rotary Club of Salamanca- I even won a coin toss and the prize was a bottle of red wine! So as you can imagine, I did do my best to predict heads or tails...
We then went on a very informative historic walk around the Hobart harbour with one of the Rotarians- Rosanne.
Then we hopped in a van and headed to the Female Convict Factory which had a great deal of interesting history related to Tasmania being previously utilized as a penal colony. Gary tried to trap us all in the convict, but the walls weren't high enough to keep us out:) Don't worry Gary- you'll have another chance I'm sure when we visit Port Arthur!
After everyone safely escaped from the Convict Factory, we hopped back in the van and went to a cheese shop that was very pleasant. Most of us got cheese to share with our host families.
We enjoyed a lovely lunch hosted by one of the Rotarians who used to teach home economics/ cooking at a local private school- that was a treat. They had a real fire on in the front room and we all enjoyed some local wine as well.
After this we headed to Richmond to do some shopping (and grab a coffee). They make the best coffee in Tasmania- almost all is espresso based. My favourite is a "Flat White" which is espresso and steamed milk- similar to a latte but different- perhaps just a different ratio... because they make lattes too.
Then off to a winery! Yes- the organizers were brave enough to take Team Tasmania into a winery- and even arranged a proper tasting! We enjoyed local champagne, white, red, and dessert wine and bought a few souvenirs.
After this we returned back home for a quiet evening.
Tomorrow is our first vocational day and we are all very much looking forward to it. After that it is our first Farewell Dinner as it is our last day of our first leg of the adventure hosted by Salamanca Club.