Arrived in Adelaide, Australia

We arrived in Adelaide from Queenstown, New Zealand around 10 pm April 1 after a smooth transfer in Sydney.  DSC06652 DSC06642
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We had an exit row to ourselves from Queenstown and hoped to get some pics of Fiordland from the air when leaving…but clouds came quickly after takeoff!  It was however sunny upon arrival in Sydney and had terrific views of the Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Tower!

DSC04944 DSC06668For most of April we are staying in the Adelaide City Centre which is bordered by four terraces (called the “square mile” but is rectangular shaped and larger than a square mile :)).  The area is surrounded by the Adelaide Parks, the Adelaide Botanic Garden, University of South Australia, Adelaide University and the River Torrens.  We are one street off of Rundle Street, a vibrant area filled with all types of restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, bars, shopping, and cinemas.  All of the restaurants will challenge our cooking penchant!

DSC04828 DSC04817 DSC06670We found a great local pub…only took one day!  Our first full day in Australia was a Friday which we have found is a fun day to meet people.  We have witnessed from city to city the usual Friday escalation of excitement and improvement in attitudes (subsequently followed by the declining enthusiasm on Sunday and Mondays — for those returning to work).  This was no different.  We enjoyed tasting local wines and brews with the Aussies at the Exeter Hotel.  This area is filled with “hotels”or public houses (pubs for short).  Now mostly pubs (or bars) and restaurants, these buildings of 19th century architectural significance throughout Australia were often the first structures built in newly colonised areas and served multiple functions such as hotels, post offices, and restaurants.

Botanic Garden

DSC04831 DSC04887 DSC04859The Adelaide Botanic Garden is literally across the street!  We are learning more about the climate of Adelaide, the capitol of South Australia.  We were surprised at all of the tropical plants and palms.  Adelaide does have a Mediterranean climate, that is dry warm summers (daytime highs in the low 80s (28 celsius) and cool, wet winters.  Rarely is there a freezing temperature in the winter with the average low on the coldest months in the mid 40s, or 8 celsius.  The weather is certainly one of the reasons Adelaide was ranked as the fifth most livable city in the world (Melbourne was number one, the next major city on our list to live and Sydney was ranked seventh).

DSC04848 DSC04928 DSC04881Back to the Botanic Garden :).  We loved many of the palms, would love to bring them back to Sarasota.  Some of the most beautiful palms were housed in the amazing Bicentennial Conservatory, the largest single span conservatory in the southern hemisphere.  The Gardens also had a wonderful rose garden where a wedding was taking place…I think i could work as the paparazzi do!

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Rainbow Lorikeet
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Masked Lapwing
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Australian White Ibis

We also came upon many of the beautiful local birds that include the Australian Pelican, Rainbow Lorikeet, the Masked Lapwing, the Cockatoo, the Australian White Ibis, Dusky Moorhen and many others!

North Adelaide

DSC04979 DSC04987We always try to do the “free” walking tours in major cities.  We like to do them as soon as we arrive as they are a great way to get an overview, learn about the area and start to understand some of the culture.  Adelaide does not have the franchised “free” walking tour, but the city has some excellent historical walks.    We selected the Marvellous Mansions, Cottages and Castles walk in the area of North Adelaide.

DSC04969 DSC05005These houses were built in the late 1800s with much character and variety.  The variety of homes, uniqueness of the area and even some of the styles reminded us of Oak Park, Illinois.  It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and our walk included a stop for lunch at the Bakery on O’ConnellDSC05009 DSC04992O’Connell is a great street filled with restaurants, cafes, unique shops and the “hotels” I described earlier.  This is an area we must revisit!

Adelaide Zoo

DSC06898 DSC06840Another beautiful day brought us to the Adelaide Zoo, a short walk in the park near our place on North Terrace.  I have to say the highlight was seeing the pair of Giant Pandas, Wang Wang (Net Net) and Fu Ni (Lucky Girl).  They are the only pair of Giant Pandas in the Southern Hemisphere.  They are carnivores but 99 percent of their diet is bamboo, eating 20 to 30 pounds a day according to our mates at the zoo!  The American alligators were not such and exciting highlight.  DSC06766 DSC06788

DSC05059 DSC05046Glenelg Beach

We made a trip to Glenelg Beach, about a 40 minute tram ride from the city.  It is the oldest European settlement in South Australia, founded in 1836.  DSC05062 DSC05073This seaside town has many restaurants and hotels and a soft, light, gold sand colored beach.

DSC04947And finally, we joined the gym at the University of South Adelaide’s student union…quite a deal at $4 US per visit!  It is a nice gym…we of course are about 3x the average age!

A few more pics from our first few days in Adelaide, South Australia!DSC05035 DSC06860 DSC06864 DSC06797 DSC05016 DSC05023 DSC05020 DSC04957 DSC04955 DSC04953 DSC04956 DSC04940 DSC04910 DSC04904 DSC04877 DSC04884 DSC04893
DSC04873 DSC04868 DSC04847 DSC06682 DSC06686 DSC06671 DSC04813 DSC04821 DSC04912 DSC04934 DSC06774 DSC06818 DSC06839 DSC06893 DSC06877 The Red Rattler DSC05047

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