birds

Here are some of the birds that stalked us in the Cleland Wildlife Park. At first we found it a little unnerving but once we started to understand that they are just some nice misunderstood birds, we loved every second of it! The first two pictures are of the Australian Pelican. This bird is so fun to watch; it hides its beak in its backside feathers and just sits there until it thinks you're not watching anymore. Then it pulls its beak out and looks like a completely different animal! 

emus

This is the last set of photos I think for the Cleland Wildlife Park.. for now anyway. I think we will definitely have to make another trip there soon, it was thaaaat good.

dingoes

So, while Alison and I were at Cleland Wildlife Park we got to see dingoes. They were surprisingly calm and a lot less mangy looking than what I had in mind. I also had this stuck in my head once we were there .. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghCTZF61ey0 .. There was also a cool little info-shack and we got to learn the difference between the jaws of a dog and a dingo. 

kangaroos

While Alison and I were at Cleland Wildlife Park we saw a lot of different native animals, some iconic, others not so much. I think the Kangaroo is one of the first animals that is associated with the land down under. We got to see, touch, feed, pose, kiss, .. well pretty much hang out with the roos at this very open and natural wildlife park.

Food Please.

Pretty sure we've secured a good reputation for Canadians.

Crazy Kanga-Lady?

They loved our cameras. Maybe they thought they were full of food? 

Alright, let's bounce.

Think he's the bouncer? .. look at those arms!

Crouching Kanga Pose

All it takes is some food, and now we are friends.

koalas

Alison and I with Steven the Koala! - ..I know right!

adelaide botanic garden

Today Alison and I took a stroll through the Adelaide Botanic Garden. We found it to be filled with a lot of native and exotic trees and shrubs. There were some flowers too, but a lot of the flowers were not in bloom because, apparently, it is getting to be autumn now, even though it is still an average of 25 degrees Celsius. The gardens are right between the Adelaide Zoo and Adelaide University, so I am sure that we will be back for another stroll and maybe even a picnic or two!

The Adelaide Opera House?! .. no, the Rainforest Conservatory in the gardens.

Mm, wildlife  .......  :|

my new place

It's about time I write another message I think. I'd just like to show you some pictures of our place in Cheltenham - just outside the city centre of Adelaide. Oh, and for me it is March 18th, but Happy St. Patrick's Day for everyone at home!

the earthquake

As many of you already know, there has been a series of earthquakes and aftershocks in Christchurch, New Zealand. All friends that were affected are alive and well and the physical damage is going to be repaired. I would just like to say that because Alison and I flew out of Christchurch the day before, we are very lucky to be where we are now, here in Adelaide, safe and sound. There are many families, friends, businesses, schools, churches, and more that are still feeling the effects. Stay strong Christchurch, you are in my thoughts and I am sending my hope to a quick and safe recovery!

adelaide at a glance

After a lightning storm in Brisbane (part of the sunshine state) delayed us by a day, we have made it to Adelaide! Adelaide is a city that we almost immediately fall for. It has colourful streets, and busy sidewalks, plenty of outdoor malls and cafes, and a variety of architecture styles that seem to compliment each other well. There is a beach, a zoo, art gallery, museums, and the two universities all within walking or public transit distance of each other and our new home.  Our home is a single floor, like most homes in Australia and New Zealand seem to be, with a pool and adorable dog named Marty in the back yard. We instantly feel as at home here as I think we can for being in a different country!

So far in Adelaide, Alison and I have explored the University of Adelaide Campus, Semaphore Beach, the Rundle Street Mall, the Adelaide Zoo, and the Fringe Festival. There are some pictures that can show everyone at home where we have been so it is easier to relate to what I will be talking about!  The campus of our host university is similar to Guelph’s because of the stone buildings and the amount of green space. The difference is that it is easier to get lost on and is more compact than my home campus. Despite this, I love it and think I will just have to study the map a little bit. Semaphore Beach is the closest and most accessible beach for us to visit while we are living in Cheltenham, just outside of Adelaide. It is a touristy place but is very clean and dog friendly. We love this place too, but maybe not as much as Marty does! The Rundle Street Mall is a dangerous place for two young ladies to be trying to cure their shopping depravation and home sickness all at once.. It is uniquely designed in that it is all outdoors and on a pedestrian street opposed to a parking lot, like many typical strip malls I have been to. Oh, and there are so many stores that we spent a good two hours walking around it and did about a quarter of the place! The Adelaide Zoo was so fun that Alison and I got our memberships within the firs ten minutes of walking through the gates. We saw wallabies, emus, flamingos, goats, sheep, and deer, and more! We didn’t make it through the whole zoo, but I’m sure we will make it back before too long! The Fringe Festival is an annual event going on in Adelaide where there are about thirty live shows going on every night - music, miming, comedy, dancing etc. - and a whole city block worth of food and drink vendors. It is a very popular event and hard to find parking for. Alison, Steve (our home-stay guy), his friend Greg, and myself saw three shows that night including The Half Naked Chef, Nothing is Ever Difficult, and Comic Strip. Needless to say, we ate and laughed the night away with these shows and got a good taste of what to expect to find at the Fringe Festival. Oh, and South Australia is The Festival State, so there are going to be many more festivals in Adelaide while we are here, including WowMadelaide, which is coming up in March. Adelaide has treated us well so far, but we still miss everyone at home!

"Adelaide Uni" from the Zoo

some art and culture in Adelaide

Alison's new friend was showing off his balance + braying at the same time skills

Good old Bambi and I

Our access to the city