13th of August - Hobart and Port Arthur

On this day another traveler joined our posse. Ally had arranged for a friend of hers to join us for the last few days of the journey, as the two had uni related business together in Tasmania after the trip. So on the morn of this day, we went to Hobart airport and picked up miss V-- to then spend the morning and afternoon in that said city.
Our first destination was the famous Salamanca markets. As one accustomed to other types of markets and fairs, I must admit I was taken aback somewhat. Here, instead of the endless stalls of the same cheap trinkets mainlanders apparently enjoy immensely, there were but a vast variety of fine Tasmanian produce, handmade wares, and generally goods one may actually want to buy. I imagine anybody with a less hardy nature would have been quite aggravated at their complete inability to gripe and moan about the quality of the market. My main complaint, however, was a lack of money and luggage space to purchase everything I wanted.

Cascade Brewery

Subsequent the market, we proceeded to that other great attraction of Hobart and the South of Tasmania - the Cascade Brewery.
Myself working toward entering the brewing business, it was of quite some interest to me, and the ancient and venerable building that housed the brewery was  certainly a sight to behold, being loomed over by mount Wellington, its head in the clouds. However, we were proven disappointed - our intention had been to take part in the tour, but alas! it was fully booked when we arrived. So instead we tarried some time in the bar, tasting this and that beverage, and took a few picturesque photos in the gardens, then moved on.
Our next adventure was also of the alcoholic kind, as we returned to the city and visited the Lark pub. Again this venture had a degree of disappointment with it - we had thought, upon reaching the building, that it would be the distillery (although I thought it strange given how small the building was), and we could go on a tour here instead. Unfortunately it was but a pub owned by the Lark Whisky brand. Nevertheless we had an excellent time, being regaled by the barkeeper on the history and qualities of the Whisky they produce - one which, despite its relatively short existence, has gone to become one of the best and most celebrated in the world.
Our final stop on this day was Port Arthur - the famous convict settlement in the south east of the island. Here we went to take part in an after-hours ghost tour. Such a thing normally appeals to me in theory (though I wished we could have visited first in daylight hours to gain a more complete appreciation of the complex, but one cannot do everything in the limited hours the day grants one), but I regret to say that I have discovered years of hard-baked skepticism have rendered me practically immune to ghost stories.
The guide - a kindly matronly character who seemed like a friendly aunt - assured us that on nearly all of her tours "something happens" (by which she certainly meant something supernatural). The closest thing to a supernatural occurance, I regret to inform the eager reader, that I feel occurred during this tour was this: Ally and miss V-- had purchased before the commencement of the tour two hot beverages (a soy latte and a hot chocolate). Before entering the parishioner's house, where we were to be told a number of eerie stories, they were told to leave their cups outside. They placed the said containers on the ground next to the path inside, but when we exited the former dwelling, the two ladies were shocked to see only one cup still remained. The excitement, however, was short lived, as it was immediately discovered that the missing beverage container had merely fallen backward into a gutter.