8 APR Adelaide

 

Australian Coast

After about 20 hours in Row 3 of that 747, Row 3 of the 737 seemed crowded!  But, we found a surprise in the seat back pocket…a draft copy of a proposed legislation!  It was an amendment to the 2009 Workplace Fairness Act—about 70 pages of “change this paragraph” and “add the following”.  Actually, I spent quite a few minutes poring through it, and learned a little bit about the political expectations here, at least on that topic.  Theresa was not particularly enthralled.

We finally arrived in Adelaide, and officially begin our “fun”.  Of course, the first bit of “fun” is figuring out what time it is.  Sounds easy, right?  Sydney is 15 hours ahead of Dallas, so I just look at my watch and add three hours.  But, Adelaide is 30 minutes behind Sydney!  Why bother having a different time zone if it isn’t even an hour??

After picking up our four checked bags (and two carry-ons), we found a cab that would not hold all of our luggage in the trunk (handy!). 

Lower House (green is their "color")

Anyway, after checking in at our hotel, we got going, heading to the Parliament building of all places.  Adelaide is the Capital of South Australia, one of the six (I think) “States”.  We got there about 2 minutes before they started a tour.  They just had elections for the Parliament, so things were a little unusual, and rather than the normal tour guides, we got one of the “Assistants” (not sure of his title) to the “Upper House” (like our Senate).  There are about 48 members of the lower house, and 22 in the upper house.  Since our guide worked there, he was comfortable taking

Upper House (their color is red)

perhaps more liberties than a usual guide might.  The tour was great, in fact one of the best State/Province Capitol/Parliament tours we have ever had!  Usually, you can go see the Capitol building, you can go up to the gallery and peer over into the chamber.  But, we got to go on the floor, and then sit ANYWHERE!!  Yes, even in the Premier’s chair!!  It was fun and interesting!

 

 

 

 

 

Unflattering display of "gift" from English Parliament.

When the Parliament building in London was reconstructed, they did some demolition, and sent key pieces of the building to different “colonies”.  So, South Australia got a stone lion statue.  They stuck it on some street level wall, in a pretty unflattering location.  Then they planted a hedge in front of it.  I guess they did not much care for it!

Tomorrow we head to Kangaroo Island.  But tonight, we go to bed EARLY!

 

 

 

Is it just me, or is this an ominous name for an ATM?