Well its been over a month now since I've left. Date of parents arriving 15 September 2011, date of last day of work 20 September 2011, date of flight out of Adelaide 22 September 2011. It was a bittersweet ending.
Awesome that my parents finally were able to come out and see my life in Adelaide, one that I was able to build over the past 2.5 years (and what a great life it was). We started with some great sunshine and one of the best weather weekends in Adelaide since winter.
Friday night was the KPMG "Hillary's last night celebrations." What a great night! Of course started at the Office (who doesn't), then on to the Gallery for some food and to that one place...with the really good dancing....(I can't remember its name - is that bad?) but I do remember the DJ and his love of music and dancing on the windowsill.
On Saturday, we headed to Handorf so the rents could get their fill of meat, then onto Cleveland wildlife park so they could get their fill of Australian animals. They were so impressed with the fact that they could feed and pet the animals. I must say I've had some great times with the roos and kowals that I'll miss.
Sunday was our trip to McClaren Vale...did the usual tour (with a quick stop at Norlunga). Started at Alpha Box and Dice (my absolute favorite wine ever!!!!), then onto Maxwell's for the mead (picked some up for a Thanksgiving treat), then to Samuel's Gorge for the amazing view and even better Grenache. I already miss McClaren Vail....can't wait to get to Nappa to see how it compares.
Monday and Tuesday, mom and dad were on their own while I scrambled to get everything completed...don't ever want to go through that again. Wednesday we packed everything else up (I thought it wasn't much but turned out to be 8 more boxes...ooopss).
Then out of Adelaide on Thursday. Headed to Tasmania. What a beautiful place. I know Aussies think of it similar to Americans think of the South (a bit backwards), but it is awesome. We got a sicka$$ rental car (Audi) and off we were. Headed to St. Helen's for the night then the next morning up to the St Mary's Mountain Elephant Pancake Shop - the rents were excited that pancakes comes with ice cream...it took us awhile to find the firkin place, but my mom wanted pancakes so by golly were were going to get some pancakes...
Then off to the friendly beaches for a walk. I'm not sure who would EVER get in the water in Taz (it takes a 40 degree celsius day for me to get in the water in Adelaide...). Ultimate destination was Hobart, but we found Milton's Winery on the way...and since my dad's name is Milton, we had to stop for a glass (or two or three for me...). Then made it to Hobart and to our awesome apartment for the night.
Then we hit up the markets in Taz - even got to see the police bag pipe band perform. Then we walked the city and got some dinner.
The next day we traveled down to Port Arthur, the first site set up to drop off the convicts from London. But first with a stop at the Tasmania devil conservation park. There are many programs there trying to help the devils. There is a horrible cancer that is killing them right now (almost 80% of the population so far). But they are helping so it is worth the trip and the donation.
Port Arthur is pretty torn down, but they are rebuilding it and it is a good tourist site. When you get there you draw a card from a deck of cards and that card represents one of the prisoners who was taken to Port Arthur. You go through a time line of their life and what they did on the island. Mine was old and in jail for stealing food. He worked in the hospital cleaning and got out on good behavior, married and had a family at the port. We walked around the site and saw the old penitentiary, the post office, the police station, the wardens house, other houses, the church and the gardens. It was a long long day, but still got some good shots on the way home.
The next day was our drive to Launceston. We stopped by the Liffey Falls for a quick hike on our drive up. The next day we did the drive up the coast and visited all the hot spots. One was the Seahorse dragon museum (more like a puppy farm then a museum). But we saw where they breed seahorse dragons. Supposedly these are endangered species and the animals bread are sent to aquariums and such (which is an interesting thing come my China trip). We also stopped by the Gorge, which is crazy b/c it is in the middle of the city and you feel like you are miles away.
Our last day was stopped by the City Park. It was really well laid out and you felt out of the city...and then you come across all the monkeys that they have their...not something that you expect - but cool nonetheless (I love that word b/c it is so long).
Next stop Sydney...I've been there before so a quick overview...Mrs MacQuaries Chair, the Opera House, the Bridge, a walk around, Darling Harbour, a dinner boat cruise, Chinatown, Maritime Museum, Mary Poppins (GREAT show if you get to see it).
It was a good weekend...but we must move onto Palm Cove. Nice relaxing beach time. We did hit up Port Douglas, drove up as far as we could to Cape Tribulation, hit up Green Island and the Great Barrier Reef. Very relaxing and the best way to end my time in Australia.
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