Diary 28th November - 1st December 2000 & Images
from my time in Adelaide, Australia.

Tuesday 28^th November

Wednesday 29^th November
I took a coach tour to the Cleland wildlife Park in the afternoon where I enjoyed roaming freely with the native animals. I have cuddled a kangaroo and been very surprised at the softness of its fur coat. I've held a Koala bear briefly and I've drank some of the local wine.

The following are pictures I took while in the park but I have lost my notes so am unable to tell you what the animals are.

The Christmas decorations in the town centre.	Tasmainian Devil scampered about the undergrowth	007adel
Kangaroo	A randy kangaroo caught my interest.	This Joey decided to dive into its mothers pouch head first.
Black swans	Emu	Yellow footed rock Wallaby
Shingleback Lizard This slow moving lizard is commonly found crossing the roads during the day. They feed on snails, carrion and vegetable matter including flowers.	A Small Dragon?	The Andu

In the evening I decided to take a taxi and go into the city centre. There I was dropped off at Gouger St and looked at the restaurants while walking along seeking out the Mars Bar, the bar that Graham the taxi driver had told me about. Unfortunately when I eventually came across it I found that it was closed. I made inquiries at a café next-door and was informed that it would probably be open at 2100.

As it was only 2015 I found a restaurant and had Atlantic salmon and salad for dinner. Feeling very satisfied I left the restaurant and walked down the street to the Mars Bar at 2200 the doors were still locked so I went into the café again and asked the helpful young woman if she had any idea at what time it was likely, or indeed if it would, open at all on Wednesday night. She was unable to give me any further information than what she had said earlier so I asked her where I could find another bar in the vicinity.

I was rewarded by her telling me that the Edinburgh Castle was likely to be open. Not knowing exactly where it was located she took the trouble to look into the Yellow Pages and wrote down the address for me. I thanked her profusely for help and left. I hailed a taxi in the street and was driven there directly. The city was very quiet as it was midweek, the bar was not crowded but I spent an interesting half hour talking to a man who had been to be United Kingdom recently. He told me that the Mars Bar would be open at 2230 but was unlikely to get busy before midnight. Apparently people went to the Mars when the other bars closed. I decided that I did not want to around until then so I only stayed in the Edinburgh Castle till 2245 when I asked them to call a cab to take me back to the Tiffin on the Park hotel.

In the quiet of my room I poured myself a large whisky dropped in a few ice cubes, topped the glass with water and sat back to relax and unwind from the activities of the day. Putting this time to good use I uploaded and updated my web pages till 0400. I was quite tired by then and lay on the bed smoking a cigarette and thinking about this country town I found myself in. I had the misfortune to fall asleep with a cigarette still in my hand. On waking I discovered that it had burned a hole in the counterpane through to the pillow beneath. It was big enough to put a thimble through and I was rather concerned about this as I think they may have charged me for a replacement had it been discovered.

Fortunately some of the hotels I have been staying at had sewing kits and when I was in Hong Kong I had had the foresight to put one into my bag. I went into my 'best needlework mode' and sewed the counterpane neatly enough that it wouldn't be noticed unless given a close inspection. There was a spare pillow in the wardrobe so I switched them over and hoped that I'd be long departed before any discovery was made.

Thursday 30^th November
I worked on my web page from 0900 till 1030 then caught the bus at 1110 and went out into the town centre. Had lunch in a department store restaurant after wandering around the shopping area. Took a trip on the River and followed that with a stroll through the botanical gardens arriving back at the hotel late afternoon.

It was a lovely afternoon crfuising on the blue waters.	The town made a lovely backdrop as the boat chugged along	One could imaging one was miles away from civilization although this scene is in the city.
Ducks, gulls, flowers and bushes. Botanical gardens are always a restful place to unwind.	I was told the blue flowered Japarandi tree is found only in Australia.	This speciman is in the botanical gardens

When I returned to my room this afternoon I found that the counterpane had been changed but the pillow had yet to be detected. I'm assuming it was a routine change of laundry and hope to hear no more about it. At 1930 I went to the dining room and had two large succulent racks of lamb and mixed salad. I took what remained in my bottle of Jacobs Creek Shiraz that I'd purchased in the afternoon as it made a delicious accompaniment to the tender red meat. After a leisurely meal I returned to my room at 2100 where I went to work on my Bangkok page during the night and uploaded what was by then completed. For some reason I found it very difficult to get to sleep tonight. It's five in the morning, and here I sit in my bed propped up against three pillows and wondering whether or not I am going to fall asleep. I've been up at the desk in my room most of the evening sorting things out and updating my web pages but I don't feel very tired.

Friday 1^st December
I have been abroad for a month now and managed quite well. I woke this morning at 0900, packed my bag and was surprised how easily everything fitted in. Since I have not dispensed with anything it must be down to having had plenty practice over the recent weeks. I paid my dues at the hotel and caught a taxi at 1030. I arrived at the domestic airport and then found I had to join a long queue at the check-in.