See You Later

Today was my final day in Australia, it's been an amazing journey; one which I'll treasure for many years to come. I went back to where I first began, Glenelg Beach

I smiled when I seen this knowing I'd be on the plane today which will take me back to my loved ones.

Just because I could I wrote in the sand...

(Hard to believe I've earned a degree and can't even spell Australia in the sand! lol)

Thank you Australia for the good times, the laughter, the new-found friendships and the tears, but ...

I'll be posting next from home in Canada, thank you all for coming along on this journey of a lifetime... it's been fun and we will be back one day, see you later! 

Cheers from Adelaide South Australia!

Givin' In

Two more sleeps and I'm on my way home! With it getting this close to leaving I'm finishing up my packing and today I gave in and mailed a few things back home. One box, not even that big, cost me $95 AUD. Ouch! 

Not only did this lighten my overweight suitcase, it lightened my wallet... but I'm not going home overweight!

Breakfast of Champions

Today I went out for a late breakfast with my roomie and the lady who lives next door to us in the student accommodations. It kind of felt like the last supper with the countdown being on til I board the plane.  I have known for quite some time that there is a pancake restaurant not too far from the residence but had never tried it so today was the day.

... the pancakes weren't bad, I had the banana ones, but the portions are small and it's expensive. Yup, banana pancakes, the breakfast of champions.

Adelaide Gaol

Yesterday the open waters, today jail. 

The Adelaide Gaol was built in 1841 and housed approximately 300,000 prisoners during its 147 years of operation.

It's hard to believe that this jail actually kept its doors open for so long, some of the conditions are appalling... some may argue that this is incentive to not break the law, but in actuality does the penalty deter the criminal? 

Here's some rather interesting history:

"In 1836, when Adelaide was first established, as a free colony, it was decided that a Gaol was unnecessary. This decision proved to be incorrect and the first prisoners were held on the HMS Buffalo which was moored at the Adelaide seaside suburb of Glenelg."

(if this interests you just click on the link for further reading)

This was rather eerie, it looked like a real person lying there, I half expected him to sit up at any given moment. Thankfully he didn't.  

 
Yup, rarely a dull moment in my world...

The only thing I forgot to look up, and maybe somebody knows this, is how do they get 'gaol' out of 'jail' or vice versa?

Port Adelaide Revisited

I'd decided that I wanted to go back to Port Adelaide and celebrate my birthday this way... so that we did. The Captain was a friendly chap, very knowledgeable about his vessel and the history of the area

We traveled through the port and there were some amazing sights to see...

 

Boats of all types were docked in the port

A photo of me to be able to look back and see how I looked in my final year of my 40s, it just dawned on me that I only have this year to say I'm 40 something...hmmm now what am I going to think up over this next year to say when someone asks me how old I am? I could always say a true lady never reveals her age... ya, that works!

And this final photo is about the best I could get of the dolphins, we spotted a fair amount of them but they weren't coming out to play... can't say I blame them one wee bit, it was chilly! 

It's been a fantastic birthday, one I will remember for many, many years to come!

Rain Rain

Rain rain go away... 

please before Saturday!

It's been a rainy few days but no worries, the rain can't keep me in all day. Today it was the market ... a girls got to eat! 

An update on my packing, (one week from tomorrow I'll be on the plane headed for home), it was coming along nicely but one wee problem... 

this bag is almost 10 lbs. overweight, I have to start again! Sheesh.

What Is It?

Today as I was headed back to the library to return some movies I noticed this amazing plant, I have no idea what it is but if anyone knows please share with me what this unique plant, tree, or shrub is.

And this I know what it is, this furniture is made from recycled wood. The lady at the store shared with me these pieces are made from old ships from either Indonesia or India... good memory here, just a wee bit short at times.

I love the rustic look of these pieces, but how to get them home when I can't even sort out how to get all of my things I already have back home... ya, they can stay here, I'll just find me some old ship wood when I get home and make my own! ;-)

Australian Hospitality

I have found over this past 4+ months that Australian people are amazingly friendly. There's been times where others have given me directions without me even asking, they've noticed me looking at a map. One time this one gentleman even walked me to where I wanted to go and that was about 6 city blocks out of his way. The sales people in the stores are extremely accommodating and super friendly, there's always a i'a 'ow-u-goin? 

Today I couldn't help but smile, with winter approaching some days it's getting chilly here, some kind soul offered their jacket... 

... to this statue of a lady reading her books! 

Yup, there's genuine hospitality to be found here in Australia and I love it!

Art Gallery

Today was a trip to the Art Gallery of South Australia, it's an amazingly beautiful building, one which my point and shoot didn't do much justice to but I didn't feel like packing my camera with me today, not with having to do some shopping as well. The following photo is only a portion of this Gallery which goes on and on. I might, if time permits, return with my Canon, there's some pieces I'd love to capture.

I find it rather interesting, what some view as art I just don't get it, I guess that's why there's so many different styles of artwork out there. Take this one for example, what is Del Kathryn Barton depicting? ... or do I really care to know? 

There's an Aboriginal section, actually a few of them, but here's one small section, or a portion of it..

And this next shot, I love this; this is definitely one which I'd love to return to take more photos of. 

If you're ever in Adelaide and have an appreciation for the arts this is a must see, but plan on at least a few hours to go through the entire gallery. The price is right, it's free admission.

Port Adelaide

Today included a trek down to Port Adelaide, it's a beautiful place to visit and I'm so glad I went. I didn't take my Canon with me but I had my P&S. 

Today I decided for my birthday next week I would like to return to Port Adelaide with my Canon and go and do the tourist thing, ride a boat and see if I can capture any photos of the dolphins.

...so much to do, so little time left to get to it all, guess I'm going to have to return one day.

Autumn

Here in Adelaide it's Autumn for less then two weeks, on June 1st winter officially sets in. Some of the trees have their leaves changing color and falling softly to the ground, it's beautiful.

The orange trees are bearing fruit...

... wait a second, something is so totally wrong with this picture! First of all it's May 19th and Autumn (it's Spring back home) and trees bearing fruit this close to winter; hmmm is it any wonder I'd love to live here?

Dilemmas

A wonderful lady I met a few months back has returned to our student apartments; she has a daughter who is studying here and my friend comes from Malaysia to visit. Today we spent our day together and decided to go shopping. After we'd shopped for a few hours it was lunch time so off we went to a restaurant in the mall, within minutes of ordering our lunch the fire alarms were going off and everyone was being evacuated. The fire department showed up, but there was no sign of fire. 

While we were outside waiting for the area to be checked out I pulled out my camera... ya it was a blog moment. I asked my friend to go and stand by the firetruck so I could take her photo, she's a lot like me and obliged, no wonder we get along so well! 

When we were allowed to return to the restaurant we had lunch, then the shopping commenced. I finally decided to get my boots; I bought EMU and hope they're nice and toasty warm, they seem to be, but our Alberta winters will be the true test for these Australian made boots.

Now the question is, how the heck am I going to get all of my things home in two suitcases? Where there's a will there's a way... or so I've heard.

The Three Stooges

.... errrr, the three Canadians! 

Tonight the three of us who traveled over from Alberta, Canada to come to Adelaide, Australia to do our final practicum placement for our degree in social work are all together... we're having a sleep over because one of us is moving on tomorrow. The three of us haven't had the opportunity to spend much time together, well other than a trip to Cleland Wildlife Park... remember this one?

Oh... right, we also all went for surfing lessons

And tonight... well tonight it was chillin' time. Genevieve, who is on the left, is leaving Adelaide tomorrow, I'm the next to leave in two weeks, and my flatmate is leaving in about 3 weeks.

Ladies, congratulations, we did it!

 (Just don't tell them that I posted this photo k?) lol

A Birds's Eye View from Mt Cootha lookout

Today, before I was to fly back to Adelaide, Beverly wanted to show me something, a view of Brisbane from above. This bird's eye view of Brisbane from Mt Cootha lookout is breathtaking!

Thank you Beverly for your hospitality, your kindness and generosity... 'til we meet again, take care and I'll be visiting you through your blog! :-)

It's amazing what technology offers us today, I never realized until I met Beverly in person that she was randomly going through blogs one day about three years ago and came across mine... the rest, as they say, is his her-story.

Crafty

This evening Dorothy, my friend Beverly's mum, was showing me some of her artwork she does with wood; this piece she did was the first one ever. Someone suggested she enter it into a competition and she won first place in the amateur or beginners category... and rightfully so!

Another Phenomenal Day in Brisbane

Today was a day out on the town, or should I say river?

First we, Beverly, her daughter Elizabeth and myself, boarded a train destined for the downtown core of Brisbane. 

(Beverly on the left, myself on the right)

When we arrived downtown we went for lunch, I must say they serve the strangest clientele...

After lunch we got on a River Cat and traveled down the Brisbane River; it was odd but after 4 months in Australia this is the most touristy I've felt yet. 

(This is myself on the left and beautiful Elizabeth on the right and a total stranger in the background!)

And this, well this is the closest I've ever been to a ship, it looks amazing, but I'm not too sure I'd enjoy a cruise... mind you I won't knock it until I've tried it. I guess this is yet another thing to add to that ever growing bucket list... yup, that's what I'm going to do.

It's been yet another phenomenal day; great friends, wonderful adventures and now I'm wiped. Good night world and for those who are just starting their day, have a fantastic day! 

Cheers from Brisbane.

Hide and Seek

"Hey you, what you doing?"

"Wanna play a game? Common now... I'll hide and you try to take my picture."

"Wait, come back, I'm just kidding!  I'll sit here and look pretty BUT get my good side k?"

"Sheeesh, you're not very good at this are you? I said my GOOD side!"

"Here, I'll come down there and make sure you get it right k? Ahem, a little mood music please... and we were swingin'... ya that's it!"

I've had a wonderful day spending Mother's Day with Beverly and her amazing family... wishing all Mother's a very Happy Mother's Day!

Farewell Ballarat

Today I left Ballarat... 

... no it wasn't on this horse and buggy, I'd still be on my way to my next destination if this were the case. I went via shuttle to Melbourne, boarded a plane, and now I'm about to settle in for the night at Beverley's in Brisbane where I will spend four glorious days. I love Beverly, she's just as wonderful as I'd imagined she'd be and we're going to be having us some fun!

Ballarat, Victoria, AU

Today was a trip to Ballarat, the town isn't too far from where I'm visiting my friend and it's a pretty town (city).   

We stopped off at the train station, this is where we purchased a ticket for the shuttle to head out to Melbourne to board the plane tomorrow. 

I'm flying to Brisbane tomorrow to meet a lady I've been looking forward to meeting for a long time now. I met Beverly here on blogger; we've shared emails, encouraged and supported one another, and became friends, virtual friends, who will now be meeting in person. I'm so looking forward to this! This makes two blogger friends I've met in one week, and one friend I reunited with after 6 years, does it get any better than this?