Saturday, July 25, 2009

Port Adelaide & Semaphore 2009.02.06

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It was late evening after i done a bit of lab work. Though, it’s still summer sunny, hop on to the bus to Port Adelaide. Port Adelaide is quite far from the Adelaide CBD, took quite a while to reach there. I have always like lighthouse, and there is one in Port Adelaide, THAT became my main reason to go Port Adelaide. Now the lighthouse no longer operates if i’m not wrong, but just for display and a place for Port Adelaide celebration. I was quite excited to see the lighthouse, but the only thing lacking is sea and sea breeze. It was not located on the cape with strong waves hitting the sea cliffs, haha. Still, delighted to see the lighthouse :)

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Port Adelaide

is quite old in the sense that it boosted many old historical building and is South Australia’s first state heritage area, which is quite true to my eyes. Here is more like a harbour and have a maritime museum.

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Haha, while i was there, funny, it’s NOT happening at all, , in fact very empty everywhere, cafes, shops closed, hardly any people around.

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There’s a ferryboat that operates to the sea and claims you will get to see dolphins, and the ticket is quite cheap. But i think it’s also not operating that day. So i just basically walked around the little port.

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As the time approach sunset, i just walked all the way to find the nearest sea or beach where i can get a good view of sunset, on the map the beach named Semaphore seems quite close, HAHA, but HELL NOOOOOOO, i walked and walked and NOOOOOOO sign of any beach and the sun is setting down soon……, later i just followed the direction of the sun to bring me to the sea, until i have to run in some places to keep pace with the sun.

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Just when i thought i will fail to see sunset, i saw signs of the sea horizon. And i was so excited that i ran and ran till i reach the beach and lucky that i was able to see the sunset in front of my eyes after all the effort. In fact, i felt very happy and energetic, as i was running with my mp3 playing some great songs. Running towards the sun’s direction at that moment was an entire experience felt like running towards HOPE or DREAM. I don’t know why i got that feeling, but i felt FANTASTIC like dream fulfilled. Never have i felt like this in a run, LOL.

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The beach was AWESOME, with a big wide esplanade, and strong wind brought up all the sandy sand like tiny desert storm.

One thing i sure hoped i could do in the future, is what the photo above shows, strolling along the beach with my dog (i wish to have German shepherd, hehe). See, one thing i like about the beaches here is that it is free and belong to no one, no hotel, no development, no resort. Anyone can visit the beaches anytime and do what you like. You have the stretches and stretches of sandy beach to yourself. Imagine trying to bring your dog to damai beach??? i’m sure it’s not allowed, needless to say bring your bike to ride along the beach.

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Semaphore

is actually a small sailor’s town, with many retired captains….and that town gave me a very warm feeling, people here are just care-free, enjoying fine dining in the restaurants with wine, chating, laughing……like that little town a lot.

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After strolling a bit around the streets, it was late, and i don’t know what bus to catch to go back Port Adelaide and don’t know what’s the bus’s schedule, so i just decided to walked back to Port Adelaide following signboards, ahaha. Really felt like a lonely looooooooooooooooong walk, felt like 流浪汉,hahah, the only thing was i’m not drunk. Walked a FAIRLY LONG distance back, luckily when i reached Port Adelaide, i was just minutes before the last bus back to city CBD operates, haha.

Traveling around Adelaide have make me WALKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK miles and miles……but i’m contented and happy after every trip though tired. :)

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Sunday, July 5, 2009

Glenelg, city of Holdfast Bay

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Located only 10km from the heart of Adelaide City, Glenelg is a charming seaside resort set on the long sandy white shores of Holdfast Bay.

Duno why it’s called holdfast bay, hahaha. It is the most popular coastal region of Adelaide due to its close proximity to Adelaide city centre and tram service to the very door of Glenelg. Being a popular destination, there are shops there too for shopping, just like another small shopping cum relaxing place. You can be at the shopping heaven of rundle mall or food heaven of gouger street and the next minute, you are on the tram to Glenelg for relax and sunset, HOW GOOD is that?

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A lot of people went there just for the weekend, sit back and relax, a picnic for the family, reading books, enjoy the sea breeze….etc. There's also a water theme park though a small one.

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There are apartments along the seaside, although i duno whether there are for rent or wat.

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I have walked a long distance to find this old rum tree of Glenelg….the minute i saw it in the brochure, i wana get there……the curvy shape of the tree trunk looks so fascinating….wahaha. Apparently it was located inside a children playground+park. It’s amazing to me how the tree trunk can bend like that…haha.

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Basically i have walking around the city of holdfast bay in a big circle. There’s a habour too, and where the “buffalo” ship stay. It is a historical old ship now turned into a restaurant. How nice to have a meal on top of it!!!!

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The gates controlling the sea water flow into the habour and also doors entry and exit of small boats.

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Right below the apartments i mentioned above, there are heaps of restaurants for those savor in foods or a glass of wine or beer. It’s always nice to sit by the seaside enjoying some wine/beer and food while chit-chating with frens!!!

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Snapped the sailing boat above with a man walking on the beach….i always like this kind of photo!!! Though it may seem lonely or wat….but i like the feeling generated from this kind of picture. N it certainly reminded me of Friend+SHIP.

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Fishing around the coastal region is favourite past time for many….u’ll see someone fishing everywhere along the jetty. I found many among the fishers are Asians from Korea, mainland China and Jap like this activity.

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Saw this special car parking along side the road. Looks super cool, hehe. Icre-cream is famous there. So i tot i gave one of them a try. Bought myself a Coperhangen ice-cream, tasted vy good…hehe.

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Have been trying to capture a good photo of this tram-crossing sign post elsewhere, this was the best i got so far!!! really like this sign post….duno watever reasons, but it look special to me, hehe.

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As dawn approached at 9PM…..the sunset there was magically awesome, no clouds, just the sun, the empty sky and the vast sea. Hoped Malaysia have such a place too especially in the hectic life of KL/PJ….Glenelg is kind of like Port dickson to Seremban but being more clean and well-developed and NEARER!!!!