Day Trip!

just got back from the Day Trip with Jo and it was very enjoyable! the weather was very very fine and we really couldnt ask for more.. it was tiring going to so many places in one day but nevertheless, it was very fun and a very good experience because we felt like TOURISTS again!!!

we got up at about 7am to get ready, had breakfast and packed some food with us.. sandwiches, chocolates (i must say we do have a good variety of that!), Tim Tam, apples, water and juice.. we were out of the house slightly past 8am and got to the Bus Station pretty early.. at 9.30am, we were on the bus towards McLaren Vale!

just as the bus got on the freeway, i heard a 'thump' that felt like something has hit the front of the bus.. and the next moment after, i heard the bus driver-cum-tour guide, Robin, goes, "he's dead~"! the 'he' turned out to be a bird! poor bird was flying too low and got hit by our bus! Geez..

on the way to McLaren Vale, Robin stopped by Port Noarlunga for us to take some scenic photos..


we continued on our way to McLaren Vale and we were given about an hour to roam around the area on our own.. for me, the highlight was The Almond Train, even though the area is famous for wine!

we were dropped off in front of Tintara Winery and we realised that it was closed! harlow~ it's a Saturday! anyway, i'm not very interested in wine tasting as i had my fair share of it when i was in Perth.. so it's not considered a loss..


i thought the concept of The Almond Train was cute and cozy.. and i bought some Toffee Almonds and Mixed Chocolate Coffee Beans!!! the latter was very very yum~!

they have many different varieties of almonds and some of them are just too 'interesting' for me.. for example, Crunchy Garlic, Honey Soy, Chilli Thai and Yoghurt! Jo bought a bag of Melting Moments there and it was very yum~ too!

there was also a Robern Menz's Medlow Confectionery and FruChoc Showcase outlet showing how their chocolate are enrobed (coated) on their assembly line..

after McLaren Vale, we headed to Victor Harbor, the main highlight of the day! we were allowed about 2 hours there and Robin dropped us near the area where we could catch the Horse Drawn Tram to Granite Island..

the 'bridge' connecting Victor Harbor and Granite Island..

we decided to get on the Horse Drawn Tram to Granite Island (A$7 for a return trip).. the walk there is not long but we wanted to try the tram!

here comes Billy, the horse that got us to Granite Island and back..

we sat on the top of the tram for some sunshine but the trip across was very windy and cold! in the end, the sunshine didnt keep us warm.. i enjoyed the ride, though Jo was feeling sorry for the poor horse for having to pull such a huge tram with so many people on it.. but as you can see from the 'Horse Talk' sign, the horses are treated quite well and there's no need to call SPCA whatsoever.. i'm sure they are treated humanely, this is OZ you are talking about..

the scenary was very good and and the weather, very enjoyable.. we went to have a look at the Penguin Centre on Granite Island when we reached there but didnt pay to go in.. i'll do that the next time i'm there..

i know i'll definitely go back because i would like to stay overnight at Victor Harbor, so i dont have to rush back home after seeing the penguins come back from their catch at dusk! and we didnt really see much of Victor Harbor because most of our time was spent on Granite Island, having a picnic on the grass and in the sun while waiting for Billy to come back to pick us up.. we sat in the compartment of the tram on the way back because the wind bites on the top!


we rushed to get a serving of Fish and Chips when we got back to Victor Harbor.. we couldnt possibly miss out on the second best Fish & Chips in the whole of SA, can we?! it would be a sin! the runner-up in the State Competition is The Original Fish Shop on 20 Ocean Street!

the Butterfish fresh and the batter light and crispy.. chips are good too! we ate our Fish and Chips on the way to Strathalbyn.. and after such a heavy lunch, i fell asleep for a bit.. when we reached Strathalbyn, i was half asleep while walking around the little town and had to get ice coffee, which didnt really work.. Strathalbyn is a cute little town with heaps of cafes, pubs and antiques.. i continued sleeping when we got back on the bus to head back to Adelaide City.. Jo had to wake me up~

we got home from the city at about 6.30pm.. and were dead beat.. Jo headed straight to bed while i make some dinner.. Thanks for bringing me on this trip, Jo!