Photo credit: www.cntraveler.com
On that dreary first evening in the city, my companion and I found ourselves at a modest bakery for dinner. The atmosphere was tense, as we struggled to find common ground on which pastries to share. Our underlying emotions surfaced, transforming into veiled critiques of each other’s tastes, which led us to order an excessive amount of food for two people. Although the meal turned out to be disappointingly heavy, it provided an opportunity for us to connect amidst the tension.
“We need a do-over,” I suggested to Sam, not just about dinner but reflecting my deeper desire for a fresh start to our weekend. We made our way to Big Wong BBQ, a casual dining spot known for its tempting display of honey-glazed roast pork. As we chuckled over the irony of traveling all the way to Hobart for Cantonese food available back in Singapore, I sensed a thawing of the coldness between us.
The following morning greeted us with warm sunlight illuminating the streets, as weekend markets unfolded, showcasing homemade treats and artisan crafts amidst the vehicle-free roads. Hobart, though Australia’s smallest capital with a population just above 56,000, boasts a vibrant maker culture that proudly contributes to Tasmania’s reputation for high-quality produce. Sam and I experienced this firsthand as we savored our way through the vibrant Farm Gate Market, affectionately known as Farmy by locals. On our way to the ferry bound for Hobart’s renowned Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), we were treated to the breathtaking natural landscape that Tasmania is celebrated for, with black swans gliding along the River Derwent and snow-capped mountains standing majestically in the distance.
Museum of Old and New Art
In college, there was a peculiar closeness between Sam and me, with friends often referring to us as twins due to our uncanny ability to anticipate each other’s thoughts. However, the passage of time and shared struggles had left me uncertain if we could rediscover that connection. Inside MONA, we stumbled upon the thought-provoking “Namedropping” exhibition, which examined the transcendent essence of objects and people. It made me ponder whether the bonds of friendship could also transcend challenges like distance and hurt feelings. As we meandered through the exhibits, I felt a flicker of hope igniting within me. Sam and I began to gravitate towards each other again, sharing moments of appreciation for the art, particularly captivated by He Xiangyu’s impressive life-sized sculpture, Tank, intricately crafted in leather. In those moments, moving in sync felt not only achievable but natural.
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www.cntraveler.com