 |
| Once outside the train station we spotted a casino. We weren’t aware that gambling was legal in Adelaide. |
“Sighting on the Ship in Australia”
 |
| Model steam locomotive on display on the ship. |
It’s been a while since we’ve been traveling by train. In terms of our global travel, most often we will have a rental car or driver that we have arranged for our trips and tours.
 |
| View of the river from the train bound for Adelaide. |
From time to time, when we don’t have a rental car or driver readily available, we’ll use public transportation when it’s convenient and safe to return to our vacation home at night in the dark which in many locations, isn’t always the best option.
Yesterday, when our ship docked in the Port of Adelaide, we had no other option than to travel by train to the city of Adelaide when it was a long distance from the port.
 |
| There are American stores all over the globe. |
The train trip began at the port and ended in the city, to continue on the same route back and forth all day into the evening with the engineer walking to the end of the line at the terminal to begin again, driving the train from the opposite end each way.
 |
| We giggled over how many times a recording stated, “Mind the gap,” referring to the gap between the train and the platform. |
We waited to leave the ship until after we’d uploaded yesterday’s post and thus were able to avoid the crowds. There was no more than a dozen passengers in our coach. Not only did the train serve the needs of cruise passengers but also many locals who lived and worked along the route.
 |
| Not only did the train meet the needs of cruise passengers, it also met the needs of many residents who lived and worked along the highway.Homes along the railway tracks. |
The cost for one round trip ticket (a plastic bar coded credit card-like pass)included a full day’s pass which may be used for all forms of public transportation in Adelaide was AU 10, US $7.37 each, a reasonable amount considering the distance and the potential of using street cars and buses while in the city.
 |
| Passengers are departing the station. |
After arriving at Adelaide station, we were surprised by its size and volume of activity. This was a bustling city. For whatever reason, there was an expectation that Adelaide would be a picturesque historic city. It definitely qualified as historic but this was no small town. See details below, we gleaned from this site:
“Population
The city of Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-most crowded city of the country. During June 2014, the city had an expected inhabitant population of 1.30 million. Adelaidean is utilized as a part of a reference to the city and its residents. The city is situated in the north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, on the Adelaide Plains between the Gulf St Vincent and the low-lying Mount Lofty Ranges which encompass the city. The city also boasts one of the biggest cricket stadium in the world.
Demographics
People that were born abroad, make 29.8% out of the aggregate population. Suburbs areas including Newton and Campbelltown in the east and Torrensville, West Lakes and Fulham toward the west have vast Greek and Italian population. The Italian consulate is situated in the eastern suburb of Payneham. Extensive Vietnamese populations are settled in the northwestern of Woodville, Pennington and Athol Park. People from India and Sri Lanka have settled into inward regions of Adelaide including the internal northern suburbs of Blair Athol and Enfield.”
 |
| Skyscraper in downtown Adelaide. |
We left the station to follow the map we received when disembarking the ship. This map highlighted the major points of interest many of which appealed to us as we took photo after photo as we walked along the main downtown road.
 |
| The main road wasn’t too busy while we walked. |
The weather was perfect, only warm under direct sunlight. The city, with busy with traffic moving at a good clip, provided an excellent glimpse of what Adelaide is all about; many free venues for tourists; historical buildings, upscale shops, plenty of dining establishments and of course, its own variety of friendly Australian citizens.
 |
| Madame Hanoi restaurant on the boulevard. |
Although many passersby had their heads down to peruse their phones (typical in most cities these days) we never felt rushed, overcrowded or unsafe in any manner.
 |
| Historical old Parliament building on a corner. The new building is adjacent (see picture below). |
Since we’d had a late start and the round trip train ride required about two and a half hours including waiting time, we wandered the downtown area for the perfect amount of time allowing us to get the full flavor of the attractive, spotless city.
 |
| Protests in front of the Parliament building. |
By 3:45 we were back on the ship with ample time to dress for the evening to meet our friends for Happy Hour in the Diamond Club Lounge by 4:30 to begin the evening’s activities.
Once again, we had a lovely evening as we wind down the remaining 11 nights on this cruise.
Was this cruise too long for our liking?
We heard from some of the under 500 passengers who had booked the round trip that it was a bit too long for them.
 |
| Protest signs at the Parliament building in Adelaide, |
May your day be happy and fulfilling!
Photo from one year ago today, November 22, 2015:
 |
| One year ago, we wrote about the culling of animals in Marloth Park due to lack of rain. It was heartbreaking to hear of this and we pray for, good weather and abundant vegetation for the wildlife as we make plans for the future to return to Marloth Park, South Africa. For more details, please click here. |