Historical Bridge in Richmond

Our first destination in Tasmania was Richmond. We drove just over 25 Km northward from Hobart to see the oldest stone-arched bridge in Australia, the Richmond Bridge.

This stone bridge built using convict labour was completed just over a year in January 1825.

The rustic orange colour of the old bridge is a perfect blend with the well-maintained green turfed riverbank of the scenic Coal River.

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Richmond is a one-street small town. 

Richmond Town Hall.

This old stone walled building, once a church now houses a boutique and an airbnb.

A small little park in the town centre.

Driving Tour of Tasmania

We had been toying with the idea of doing a driving tour in Tasmania for quite some time. Somehow, we had not found a compelling reason to fly all the way down deep south to do it. When Sam invited us to spend a short holiday in Mebourne in March, we instantly thought of doing an extended trip to Tasmania which is just a short distance down south from Melbourne.

The plan was to fly to Hobart from Melbourne, pick up a car at Hobert Airport, then move northward and north-westerly direction. We would  eventually drop our car at Lauceston Airport and fly off from there. 

We opted to drive along the eastern Highway. We stopped for a night in Bicheno before moving in a north-westerly direction toward our next base in Burnie. Along the way, we passed through some interesting places like Campbell Town, Deloraine, and the Ashgrove Cheese Farm along Bass Highway near Elizabeth Town.

We were fortunate to have met up with old friends Lucy and David at Burnie and spent three nights at her residence. From her house as the base, we managed to see some of the key attractions in Tasmania - the Nut in Stanley and the Cradle Mountain.

Bonding Time in Melbourne

Our sense of time changes as we grow older. Time seems to pick up speed as the age catches on.

It was barely three months ago when we last met Livvie in Singapore. She had since grown by leaps and bounds. Now a little chatterbox who can converse in sizable vocabulary and handle some basic numerals way beyond her age.

Her occasional utterance of "I can do it myself!" reminded me of Gracie, her resolute-minded cousin. Still, it would be her precocious conversations that distinguish her as a witty little lass.

Here's the snippet of conversation between Livvie and her Popo:

Livvie: Popo, how was your sleep last night?

Popo: Very good. How about yours?

Livvie: I didn't have a good night sleep. I coughed. My nose was blocked. 

Popo: So, what did mommy and daddy do?

Livvie: Mommy put water into my nose and pumped it out.

Popo: Were you OK?

Livvie: No. I screamed.

At an airbnb near Victoria Market.

At Flagstaff Gardens, Melbourne.

At Levantine Hill Estate, Yarra Valley.

The little photographer at Holly Lane Mews.

Barbecue at Holly Lane Mews.

Cycling in Yarra Valley

It was Rachel's idea to do a family recreation cycling in Yarra Valley. Soon after visiting Levantine Hill Winery, we drove to Yarra Valley Bike Hire & Tours to sign up for cycling the following day.

After breakfast on 26 March, we drove to the bicycles rental outlet to pick up our bikes to commence the ride. The cycling route is part of the 40 Km long Lilydale - Warburton Rail Trail. This trail follows the historical railway line through Yarra Valley starting behind Lilydale Railway Station and ending at Warburton township. This trail is popular among cyclists, joggers and even horse riders.

A lady jogger gladly agreed to take
a group photo for us.

The gradient of the trail is not steep because it was once used for railway tracks. The trail passes through vineyards, farmlands and forests. The 7 Km we covered from Lilydale to Mt. Evelyn is mostly forested area.

A total distance of 14 Km including the return ride.

We decided to stop at Mount Evelyn and have an early lunch at one of the restaurants - Billy Goat Hill Brasserie.

The cycling was indeed a memorable and fun way to end the trip to Melbourne!

Hugging a Wombat in Melbourne

The very first thing the landlady asked us when we checked into the Airbnb in Yarra Valley on 25 March was: "Do you like to hug a wombat?".

Soon after, we were led into her living room and we immediately caught sight of the well "domesticated" wombat intermingled with their pet dogs. The landlady told us the wombat was found years ago as a baby wombat cuddled next to her dead mother. She took the baby wombat back home and raised her as a pet.

Holding a wombat is liked holding a 20-Kg rat. Unlike rat, its tail is small and stubby. Its rodent-like front teeth are ever active and would nibble on anything it thinks is edible. Mind you, the nibbling can be unbearable at times. These are powerful front teeth capable of carving out burrows through hard subsoil strata.

In late evening, we have sighted wombats roaming around the airbnb compound. The many burrows we found in the compound further confirmed our sighting.

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Later on in our tour of Tasmania, we learnt something peculiar about wombat at the Bonorung Wildlife Sanctuary in Hobart. Despite having round anuses, this marsupial excretes cube-shaped poops rather than the normal pellets or tubular coil droppings common among all mammals. This trait has kept scientists baffled and perplexed. One theory is that wombats excrete cubes so as to stack them up to mark their territory!

Courtesy from web site

Sooner than You Think - RIP Elder Peter KC Lee

Elder Peter Lee was scheduled to chair the STS Board of Governors Meeting on 03.03.2019. Sadly, he had to forgo this responsibility due to his rapidly deteriorating health. I had made plans with a friend to visit him early the following week. That visit, however, never took place - Peter passed away in the early hours of 04.03.2019.

I’ve lost track of how many years we had known each other. At one point, we were regular badminton buddies. In our professional lives, he served as the contractor for a construction project where I was the supervising engineer. We had also traveled together to explore new places, and for many years, we were partners in the ministry of Sabah Theological Seminary.

Peter was a man of few words, yet his actions spoke volumes. He devoted much of his life to charitable work - in the Church, in schools, and through his active involvement in the Lee Clan Association and the Hakka Association. His quiet dedication left a lasting impact on many.

Peter had served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of STS. His last public appearance was to officiate at the 29th Graduation of STS graduating students on 02.11.2018 (Read here). His willingness and enthusiasm to chair the upcoming STS board meeting just days before his passing revealed that he did not expect his time to come so soon. Life, as it often reminds us, can change in an instant. Many things unfold earlier than we expect - a sobering reminder of the fragility and unpredictability of our earthly journey.

Peter Lee will be dearly missed - not only as a colleague and fellow servant but as a friend.

Happy moment in Taipei when we did a cruise
together to Okinawa and Ishigaki in May 2017.
Peter is seated at right.

BOG meeting held on 28.10.2017 chaired by
Elder Peter Lee in progress.

A group photo of the attendees of the BOG of
STS taken immediately after the meeting on
10.03.2018 which was chaired by Elder Peter Lee.

Lunch after the STS Board of Governors Meeting
on 30 June 2018. Peter is 3rd from right.