Blogs from Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, Oceania - page 5

In the last Episode, you may recall that I mentioned my prowess as a sailor! Well, as we readied ourselves to leave Kangaroo Island, it was a really beautiful morning, but the howling gale of the last couple of days, had now reached hurricane force, at least it had in my head! As we looked out over the Backstairs Passage and the White Horses playing across the sea, the 45 minute or so ferry crossing was starting to take on the proportions of an epic round the world yacht race to me! To cap it all, our ferry wasn't until 10.30, and the waiting around didn't really help. While we waited, we decided to go for breakfast at a cafe we had seen in the town called The Fat Beagle, a name with special meaning to ... read more

I am on the road again after a quick break in Singapore. This time, I am back in Australia, my second-to-last stop on this extension of the Midlife Crisis Flashpacking Trip. When I decided to extend my travels, I contacted my friend Trixie, thinking she might want to make a trip we had discussed in the past - driving from Darwin to Adelaide. She nixed it because it would be too hot and expensive. She counterproposed meeting me in Melbourne and driving the Great Ocean Road to Adelaide. I agreed readily. Getting to Melbourne I had just about 30,000 miles left in my United Airlines account (I accumulate miles on AAmerican nowadays), so I locked in a one-way Singapore-Bangkok-Melbourne business class redemption on Thai Airways days before United upped partner redemptions between Asia and Australia. This ... read more

Today we will explore the area south of Adelaide with Joy and Geoff, including several wineries in the Maclaren Vale region. Last time we here back in 1998 we had explored the Barossa Valley with them. But before a taste, we have lunch in typical Australian style. The Cottage Baker serves some really good meat pies, Marion’s was a traditional beef pie, Ferdy’s was jalapeño (you might have guessed). Then, Chapel Hill Winery for the first stop. Their 2016 Bush Vine Grenache was just released this day, and was the gold medal Grenache winner for Maclaren Vale region. No wonder! Additional Cellar Doors visited were Coriole Winery, S.C. Parnell, and Leconfield/ Richard Hamilton Winery, the latter featuring incredible rose displays. In between, Joy presented to us a picnic consisting of cheeses, pates, fruits and crackers. Just ... read more

"Why Adelaide?" I keep getting asked. Well, I have a close friend who settled in Adelaide, and more recently another friend moved there as well, so I went there spend time with them, immerse myself in the place, and eat good food. I arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday, August 22, and stayed six days with my former co-worker Trixie and her husband Charles. I also spent time with my friend Ryan who moved there a few years ago. This was my third visit in eight years to Adelaide, so I wasn't there to see things so much as to just be there. During my time there, I ate myself silly, and went on lots of walks and hikes. Here are some of the things I did and saw. River Torrens Linear Park I did this hike ... read more

Geo: -34.9258, 138.64 weeks after returning from India, we are now of to China for a Trade Show at Pudong, Shanghai -China... read more