Adelaide and Animal Parks - Feb 20

Summary: Going to the beach on a rainy day, wildlife park, heading to Melbourne

First, let me answer some burning questions out there. Yes, the pool hall bistro was a total shock - like some chef hoping to be discovered (or most waitresses in LA). Second, the wines I did buy were unavailable in the US: a Barossa Pinot Noir and a Gewurtztraminer from Penfolds, a E-Bass Shiraz at Barossa Valley Estates (almost all of their wines have musical themes), the Greenock Shiraz and "The Futures" Shiraz at Peter Lehmann. Third, had I gone wine tasting with Tony (one of the anonymous commenters) I would have spent more (and he would have spent a whole lot more).

Well, Plan A for the morning was to go to the beach. A cold front with rain moved in, so the high would be 24 and the actual morning temp was 17. We haven't seen any rain yet and 17 is still not as cold as it sounds, but those temps are nonetheless colder than 39. Not one to let facts on the ground interrupt my plans, we went to the beach anyway. Actually, my thinking was that if it was a gloomy day in LA, I would still want to visit Hermosa Beach or Manhattan Beach. I'm glad we went. First off, Alex likes any form of transportation that does not require a seat belt and the tram fit that bill. Second, Glenelg is a cool little neighborhood. Third, it was as good a way to spend a morning as any. Probably more fun at night out with buddies, but a good time nonetheless. You are looking at Alex drinking a "baby-cino" - foam with some chocolate. Perfect gateway drink!

We got back and stopped by Hog's Breath on Gouger. Gouger is that street with all the coffee shops, restaurants, and other assorted night spots next to Victoria Square (the center of town). The guy driving us to the wildlife park said there are 157 establishments in 400 meters - seems a little high, but who am I to argue? Part of the same BBQ/Cajun restaurant chain that liked our South Carolina coozie in Darwin, the manager Jason was quite pleased to get one and asked us to join them as they will have some of the drivers for this weekend's race tonight. I'll let you know if drivers in Australia are also all name Dale, Rusty, and Wade.

So we went to the wildlife park and it was a good time. There was a snake missing from the brown snake tank. Other than that, it was cool to go around petting quokkas, kangaroos, koalas, emus, wallabies, etc. OK, we only actually touched the koalas, but we could have touched more.

Dinner at Hog's Breath was good, especially as they have a play area. It was (for an American) much like going to Outback Steakhouse must be for an Australian. Think about BBQ with Colorado or Minnesota license plates - authentic American but not exactly BBQ states. Jason had put out the South Carolina stubby holder.

Next: Coonawarra, Great Ocean Road, pick up Aneta!