Adelaide, Australia - 27 December 2018

27 December 2018

Thursday

Adelaide, South Australian

Our port today is Adelaide known as the "City of Churches, Roses and Wine".   It is the capital of the state of South Australia with a population of 1.3 million equating to 75 % of this state's population.

We dock in Port Adelaide -- at least forty minutes from the center of town-- no shuttle buses -- high temp in the 90's -- glad we are on a tour - "Historic Hahndorf and the Adelaide Hills".

We are met by John, our Driver and Heidi, our Guide -- both chime-in with various facts about Adelaide as we drive through the city.   First -- Adelaide was "freely" settled in 1836 by the British -- no convicts -- they want that to be very clear.  Adelaide is surrounded by parkland as a buffer around the perimeter of the city -- but also a place for the homeless to gather which can be a problem.

Pat and Phil at Mount Lofty in Adelaide Hills

We continue on our way to Mounty Lofty -- east of the city -- highest point in the Adelaide Hills at almost 2400 feet.  The view is spectacular as far as the eye can see.  As I'm taking a photo -- Colette appears behind me -- she and Marc are on another tour -- apparently everyone stops at Mount Lofty.

We begin our drive to Hahndorf, settled by German and Prussian immigrants in 1839 and  Heidi mentions that today is a "high fire day" here meaning the weather is so dry and hot that people need to be mindful of smoking and discarding anything that might cause materials to combust.   There is a $1250 fine should one be caught smoking within 8 feet of combustible material and if one is caught throwing a cigarette butt or other item near a combustible material, the fine is $5,000.

We arrive in Hahndorf where we are dropped in the center of town for about 2.5 hours -- it is very hot so Phil doesn't last long.  He heads to "Hans Hahndorf" restaurant for a refreshing beverage.   I walk around for longer -- but as with most of these places everything begins to look the same.   I join Phil at the restaurant and we split a meal called the "Bratwurst Duo" -- very tasty.

Phil at Hans Hahndof Restaurant

Back on the bus -- we expect to be to the ship shortly but John has other plans -- he takes us through all the back roads and through neighborhoods pointing out mansions he thinks are interesting. It appears that John is a frustrated tour guide who should stick to driving.   By 2:30 pm we arrive at the ship -- almost an hour late. 

Phil and I have lunch -- then I have a manicure and pedicure -- which will complete the use of my gift certificate.

Azamara has a free event during each cruise called an "AzAmazing Evening" -- to night we are treated to a concert by Christine Anu, billed as "Australia's most successful indigenous performer and one of Australia's most popular recording artists."

After dinner at 7:00 pm -- we are herded onto buses to take us to Adelaide's town hall -- a beautiful building in the city center.   The town hall was built in the 1860's in a Victorian design with elegant interiors.  On the second floor is a concert hall with an organ having 61 stops distributed over four keyboards and 4,500 handmade pipes at a cost of $1.3 million.   As we enter the hall -- an artist is playing the organ while canapés and beverages are passed around.  

Christine Anu performing at Adelaide Town Hall

We end up siting in the balcony with a panoramic view of the stage.   Christine Anu comes out at 8:00 pm -- she is a rock and roll singer -- a bit loud for my tastes.  However she does a nice tribute to Aretha Franklin towards the end of the concert, which lasts just over an hour.

Pat on Balcony of Adelaide Town Hall.

As we leave the building, we are each given a gift bag with a large chocolate frog in it -- from Haigh's -- a high-end chocolatier in Australia -- very nice gesture.

We've had a busy day in Adelaide -- but enjoyable.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat