Departed LAX arrive Sydney transfered to Adelaide all on Qantas Airlines Livery service was via White Orchid Limo service. Accommodations Paprika Cottage located at 67 Buxton St. North Adelaide. This is a 2 bedroom 1 bath cottage with full kitched stocked for breakfast and a living room. Outdoor seating area was charming. Easy to reach via taxi to get to city center.

As I was tired from my long haul flight decided to have dinner delivered from a Italian Restaurant call Scuzi it was very good and reasonably priced.

The next day I took a tour of the Barossa Wine area with a tour company called Miror Image and visited a number of wineries including : Kies a family run small place that had a very small tasting room with a very friendly staff.I purchased a sparkling bottle of red wine.

The Grant Burge was another winery that we stopped to sample and they offered a very nice port but I didn't purchase anything there. We stopped for lunch at the Kaesler Wines for lunch and I had Kangaroo that was cooked top perfection.

While we stopped mostly at small wine establishments we did stop at the new wine center for Jacob Creek Orlando but I was not impressed with the glass and chrome atmosphere.

I did enjoy the St Hallett that had just won a Gold metal for their Anniversary Port and I purchased a bottle of this.

One day in Adelaide we toured The Wine Center to learn about the industry at the new educational center. They not only offer wine tasting and purchasing from all over Australia at one location they have a fine restaurant for lunch that suggest a wine and meal it would best compliment. A little different and it was delicious.

One day while in the Adelaide area I was able to drive out south west of Adelaide to the hills of the McLaren Vale. The Cleland Wild life park was the first stop and while it may sound like the ordinary wildlife park it is different as the animals are cared for and allowed a more normal life in a large preserve. This park is owned by the state of south Australia and is managed as a preserve more than as a wild life park. They had a beautiful bird conserve that housed a mulitude of feathered friends.

Wombats, Kangaroos (even an albino) and Koalas and Koala clinic for those who needed health services. Many other animals including pure bred Dingos.

Woodstock was a winery where we stopped for lunch and they offered a nice platter of assorted foods of cheeses and meats typical to the area. Soft music in the background was provide by musicians on a flute and guitar playing in the corner.

I think my favorite place stop was at a winery called Cariole they were located high on a hill with a magnificient view of the vines and beyond. The yard was manicured with beautiful flowers and trees. Picnic tables were host to birthday party's and small groups of families as we all enjoyed the mild winter afternoon.

The wine was very nice I really liked the Olives Oil and Almond Dukkah dip in bread cubes. This is a family run business envolving multigenrational members.

After dark we went star gazing to see the Southern Cross and other celestial stars. What a treat to be in the dark with no lights from cities just the lights of the stars that seemed close enough to reach out and touch.

The sealink ferry was the method of transportation used to cross over to Kangaroo Island. Arriving well after dark we were able to walk from the ferry landing to see the little pinguens they have a man made center that offer a brief video on what you will see and then take you out with a flash light of red light to see the flightless birds.

They were very small only about 10 inches high black and white. They are found up and down the southen coast of Australia and Kangaroo Island. I overnighted a the Seafront hotel but it was only because of the location the beds were horrible. I could not recommend this as a place to stay. The next morning I joined a scheduled Sea Link Tour around the Island. We started in the town of Penneshaw and worked our way around the Island stopping at Vivonne Bay, Remarkable Rocks, Kelly Hill Caves, Flinders Chase National Park Cape du Couedic, Cape Willoughby Lighthouse and Admirals Arch where we saw a mama whale and baby that the driver of the tour told us had been out in the waters for about 10days.

New Zealand Fur Seals were everywhere and were playing and swimming and sunning.

I took some wonderful photos. That night we stayed at the new Wilderness Lodge and while there had a walk about with the owners a PHD botonist and her husband it lasted about 1 1/2 hours around the area near the lodge and they also explained the water and power utilities of the island .

Rain water is the main source for water and though there is a electric line they have to use generators to have enough power to have a hotel and restaurant.

The beds were very comfortable as was the entire compound. I think they host about 47 rooms but part of the area is devoted to back packers.I was in a twin double room that was very nice and clean and comfy beds!

The next day I took a Adventur Tour 4 wheel drive to the bush to see Kangaroos in the wild. The wind was up just like the cave guide said it would be. The animals were on a heightned state of alert because the high wind. We were not able to see but a few dozen in the fields but the day before the guide said there were about 400 out there.

I guess they were taking cover in the bush to get out of the wind. We did see some wallabies that are really tiny in the bush near the roadside. I had seen lots of Koalas the day before.

Then highlight for me was at seal bay and because the guide had permission to take a small group out on to the sand we were able to get really close to the sea lions and take photos but we did not disturb them. We walked really slowly and made no noise. That is a moment in time I will never forget!

Flight back to the mainland via Emmu Airlines and overnighted at the Hilton. The next morning I had an early flight back to Sydney and from there I flew back to the USA.

This was my 2nd trip to Australia though it was brief it was packed full of experiences and wonderful memories. I will return and do a different area next time. Eventurally I will cover the continent in small doses. I think less is more and enjoyed my trip very much.

For those like me that enjoy travel and can not be gone for extended time this was an ideal trip.

Georgette Campbell LONGVIEW TEXAS