Cleland Wildlife Park, near Adelaide

After I traveled 2/3 of the way around Australia, it became clear to me that if I wanted to see some native animals, I would have to visit a wildlife park. When one is at home reading Australian travelogues, one gets the idea that the local animals are wandering in plain view. Not so.

I finally decided to go visit a wildlife park.

The KANGAROO

The Kangaroo family

Petting photos will be shown later at a wildife park in Tasmania.

These fellows all looked like possible "kickers", and people were keeping their distance.

The much-anticipated TASMANIAN DEVIL. Also see photo at the top of the page.

When visiting the wildlife parks, just listen for the nasty growls. This will lead you to the little guys.
They hate anyone and everyone, even their own relatives. A fierce fight ensues when fresh meat is presented to them. At 124 pounds per square inch, their jaws  make short work of ripping and shredding the meat, eating every last bit (even all the bones). They would even eat the hand that feeds them, so handlers must take extra caution. They have even perfected the art of growling, snarling, and swallowing simultaneously.

Don't hesitate to look up. You never know what might be in the tree above.

(I forgot to ask him his name.)

A napping KOALA.  I skipped the part about standing in line for 2 hours to get a personalized Koala photo.

One of my favorites.

The Aussies were not at all sympathetic with my fondness for the DINGOS.

"They are really bad," they admonished.

Does he look bad to you?

Adelaide on a Good Friday

As we approached Adelaide SA (Southern Australia, not South Africa), the Aussies were all lamenting about the fact that it was Good Friday, a national holiday, and that nothing would be open for viewing.

There were rumors that the beloved Central Market would open because the revenue brought by a large cruise ship would benefit the city.

It was a very quiet day. Few people were on the streets. The Central Market remained closed. The fast-moving tour bus took us to Gleneig, a place of respite for residents of Adelaide when they want to get away from the downtown area.

The modern version of the historical GLENEIG TRAM runs the 10K from Adelaide, offering an easy way to escape the city. 

The ferris wheel in Gleneig was not running, because it was such a quiet day.

I might have been tempted to ride in one of these!

The following are photos of Adelaide taken from a fast-moving tour bus.

A lot of the architecture contains European elements.

Overview of the city where Colonel William Light decided to build Adelaide.

                                                    Here he is, pointing to the site.

Next:  Finally, some native animals.

Albany, Australia (continued)

Northeast of Albany is a nice beach and recreational area called Collingwood Park.

There is a quiet beach, newer homes, and a lot of Araucaria heterophylla .

 

 

This native of Norfolk Island, located between Australia and New Zealand, is a favorite tree of mine.

 

Street in the center of Albany.

 Unlikely spot for a tall ship.

 

 A young man assisting me at the Sydney Airport, as I was leaving Australia, asked me what was my favorite place in Australia. I quickly answered, "Albany". He replied, "You were supposed to say Sydney!"

 



Albany, Australia

After we left Perth, continuing on our 30 day journey on the Dawn Princess around Australia, we headed south.The further south we traveled, the colder and windier it became. Upon docking in Albany, the first thing you notice are large piles of wood chips. There is a tremendous export business of wood chips to Japan.

Dawn Princess at port of Albany.

 World War I Memorial

View from hill near memorial

Princess Royal Fortress, Albany

Underground weapons bunker

Preparing cannon for firing

Daily firing

My Computer Was Broken in Transit

I apologize for not posting lately.
My computer was damaged beyond repair in a recent transit to the ship.
I am unable to post photos using the ship's computers.
I may post some written commentary as I travel, with photos to come later.

Old Travel Memories (1970)

(from web image file)

In 1970, we piled into our white 1963 VW Beetle and drove from San Diego, California,  to visit the Oregon coastline.

I was shocked when I stopped to buy gasoline near Tillamook and looked at their prices.

"Gas in San Diego is only 25 cents a gallon," I proudly boasted, when I saw his 27 cents a gallon price tag.

"Well, go back to San Diego, then!" he shouted. (I thought that was kind of rude.)

Things change, don't they?

Next, back to Western Australia and one of my favorite towns.

Freemantle / Perth

More sights and scenes around Fremantle.

Thank you for your patience while I have lingered in Western Australia. It has long been a desire of mine to visit this area, and I must say I hated to leave. 

(After much procrastination, I have finally taken my computer to Staples for a computer tune-up. Hopefully, this new found speed will encourage me to post more often.)

I have forgotten the name of this tower. If you know, please tell me in the comments.

Thank you, Perth Daily Photo, for telling me the name is :  THE BELL TOWER.

Click on photos for larger look.

Monument Hill Memorial Reserve

Round House and Whaler's Tunnel

Round House closeup. This 12 sided building was built in 1831 to house law breakers.

Fremantle shopping area

Dawn Princess waiting at the pier.

Last view of Fremantle, Western Australia