Traveling with Ray Owens

We are off to see the wildlife sanctuary. We may get to see the devil of the Tasmanian variety.

I am very glad that everyone who leads us pays tribute and thanks to aboriginal people who were here when the Europeans arrived here in 1856.

Tasmania is one of the six states that make up Australia. The residents are often asked when was the last time you got to visit Australia. Their answer is they live in Australia.

The island state is 240 kilometers south of the Australia mainland. It has a population of 579,000 people in the entire state. Hobart, the state capital, has a population of 265,000. In 1975 the Tasman bridge collapsed after being hit by an ore carrying ship. They still talk about it around here.

Our first stop was the town of Richmond. It was here that convicts from England first landed and the prisoners were placed, men and women, in the oldest jail in Australia. The good folks spell jail like this: gaol.

It was difficult to consider the cruel punishment that the prisoners endured.

From Richmond we drove to the Bonorong wildlife sanctuary. The island is crowded with lots of wildlife and there are cars. Many animals are struck with cars and are in need of care. And here they find that care.

I had a great time seeing the animals in their care. It is not a zoo. The goal of the organization is to treat and return the animals to the wild. Some are not able to and the sanctuary becomes their new home.

I got to pet a kangaroo!! Fun times had by me.