MONA and the Little Penguins (the littlest in the world)

Day 52

One of the bullets on MONA's "About page":

 --- Somewhere people can come to say "not sure about the art but the architecture is amazing". --- 

And that is exactly what I said after our visit. (No, I hadn't looked at their About page). 

The building in which the Museum of Old and New Art is housed is striking. 

MONA is the whimsical vision of David Walsh, a professional gambler and art collector who owns it. He's designed the most jaw-dropping and unusual interior spaces, unlike any museum I've ever seen. The building is built into a limestone hillside. 

You read that right, MONA is actually owned by a person. One person. It is in Hobart, Tasmania. 

The art collection is not world class (according to some folks in the know about such things) but some of the permanent installations are phenomenal: like the "word fountain" (pic below). And the building. 

Among other unique experiences is the "O". It's an app. It helps you navigate the art works. It lists the art works near you and you can select it and read all about it on the app. No physical write-ups on each piece. It's all in the O! 

Pretty slick. 

We went to MONA in the morning of our only day in Hobart. 

We came back to the docks to see a wooden boat exhibition, a craft fair and a bustling crowd and lots and lots of boats! A grey day was transformed into a gorgeous blue. 

The next day we went to a "Penguin Parade" to see the littlest penguins in the world. This was in Phillips Island, Australia. Unfortunately, no pictures of the little waddling penguins allowed (the light from the cameras could damage their eyes). I did catch one before the parade though (pic towards the end of the post). 

They're cute, fat and fluffy when they moult ('tis the season) and awfully grumpy! Read to the end for more on these little guys. 

Some sculptures on the docks. A grey day turned into a beautiful blue

MONA from the ferry on the way back to the wharf in Hobart (above) and some art and installations in MONA  below. 

 Into the abyss. Walkway (tunnel?) at the MONA. 

The "word fountain" at MONA - the words childhood and request are water droplets! Hard to see in the pic but quite special in person.

 It turned into a skyblue day with lots of energy with boats and a craft fair (below)

 

Landmark coffee shop in Hobart (2019)

Hobart building (2019)

Town of Richmond (from 2019) near Hobart

Wine tasting near Hobart (2019)

A few pics above from a 2019 visit to Runnymeade House, the 1840s home of a whaling captain. I remember it being extremely well preserved. 

The only little penguin photo from Phillips Island, Australia  - the only "little penguin" colony in the world. They are tiny, weighing only 2.2 lbs. and only 12 or 13 inches tall.

Little penguins can spend upto 4 weeks at a time at sea (to feed on fish!), and they have several sleep cycles during this time. They will float on the surface of the ocean for 4 minutes at a time to rest. 

They're pretty well fed and fat by the time they're back. 

In the ocean, a collection of these penguins is a raft, and a waddle when on land. Watching them waddle back was adorable. 

The beach at Phillip's Island 

Waiting for the parade. 

The penguins start the waddle home just after sunset. It was fun to see them wait for each other to form a group before heading back. They're pretty nervous! They'd go back in the water if they saw those nasty gulls flying anywhere near their little posse (well, raft). 

Cape Barrier Goose at Phillips Island

Wallaby at Phillips Island