Advertisement
Published: October 8th 2012
Edit Blog Post
The flight to Aus was pretty painless aside from it being a night flight but not nearly long enough for sleeping - only about 5 hours to Melbourne. The flight was with Jetstar which is the Quantas budget airline, but because of our ticket type we got some added perks, a meal and a drink and a comfort pack and a few questioning looks from the other passengers. At Melbourne we had to clear immigration, which turned out to be easier than we thought, just declared our muddy boots, got shown to a sniffer dog and we were on our way! Had to check back in and then wait an hour or so and we were off to Adelaide.
In Adelaide we were staying with the lovely Amy Hett (one of my (Rach's) friends from home who moved out here a few years ago). Amy met us at the airport and the adventure begins! We spent a nice day having lunch by the sea and visiting Amy's family and newest arrivals. We were very well looked after especially as Amy's cousin Scott lent us a car so we could get about and see the sights. In Aus apparently you don't have
to have car insurance...madness! We had a few drinks at home with Amy and Tom (her brother) and turned in for the night! So nice to be in a house with all home comforts, can't actually remember the last night we didn't eat out (sounds terrible we know!), we had no facilities to cook in Asia and it was so nice to just chill!
The next day we got up and headed out exploring in the car. We drove out to Clealand wildlife park, which is a lovely park with kangaroo's, emu's, wallabies and pelicans and an array of birds just walking about, you walk through the enclosures so its pretty up close and personal. There were also a few more dangerous things like Tasmanian devils and Wombats in enclosures. We got to stroke a Koala (called Tommy!) and after surviving all this we both got chased around the pond by the common duck, scary stuff! Then we headed up to Mount Lofty where we tried to look at the view over the whole of Adelaide but unfortunately we were in the clouds! Didn't stay long as it was freezing and we are still lacking in warm clothes. We then
headed to Handorf, which is a small German town, where we warmed up with some hot drinks and got some lovely fudge. On the way back we headed for the mall to pick up an extra layer each and to replace my faithful linen shorts which have finally died...we are starting to go through clothes and shoes now, bad times! On the evening we headed out for tea with some of Amy's family and friends and had a good time, its a bit overwhelming actually being surrounded by people again, we have spent a lot of time in our own company recently!
The next day we headed into the city on the train. We had a frustrating session on the computer trying to book some transport to do the Great Ocean Road, finally we got a car booked. We then went for a walk through the city and to the botanical gardens and the national wine museum...good times! We decided against going to the zoo due to time, and it seems we are destined never to see Panda's! When we got home Amy had cooked for us, great service at the Hett house and so nice to have a bit
of normality!
The next day Amy was off work, so we had decided to go to the Mclaren Vale and visit the vineyards. What a brilliant day! Amy drove us up there, and the sun was out for us. We weren't sure how all this worked, so we were pretty surprised when we got there and found they just give you wine....for free! "would you like to start at the top and work down?" Why didn't we know this was a thing?? We went to 2 lovely vineyards in the beautiful sun whilst Amy drove and we could try everything. We bought a few nice bottles and then headed for the next 2 where we switched drivers, lucky me being the only one who didn't have to drive, so I thought it would be rude not to try everything! We had some lovely lunch and an all round great day in the sun. Think we have found our new favourite hobby, what a shame we happen to be travelling past the Hunter Valley, Marlborough and through Chile, would be rude not to try it again!
Then we all headed home and I cooked up a Lasagne for everyone, while we
sampled some of our purchases. Its lovely having a bit of normality, staying in and watching a film and eating in, its a nice break for us!
The next day we went into town and picked up our hire car, an automatic I20 much to James' dismay, we said our good byes and thank you's and set off on our way, Great Ocean Road here we come! We had a brilliant time in Adelaide and were very well looked after and spoilt by Amy and Tom, until next time guys!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.095s; Tpl: 0.014s; cc: 6; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0503s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb