Australia > A short loop through Adelaide

Today we have a free day in Adelaide. When I step into the shower, I notice that I’m not feeling very well. I even think I have a slight fever. I decide not to join the city walk. I don’t hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and try to get some more sleep. I am woken up by the window cleaner on the outside. At the beginning of the afternoon, I walk into the city. Just next to the hotel is the Adelaide Arcade, a restored shopping gallery in Italian style from 1860. The arcade is decorated for Christmas. You can have your Christmas presents wrapped here. On the other side, I come out onto Rundle Mall, Adelaide’s main shopping street.

Australia - The historic shopping arcade of Adelaide

A work of art with two large mirrored spheres stands in the middle of the street. I continue walking to the Parliament House, a building from the early twentieth century with marble Corinthian columns and a modern upper structure. Behind the Parliament House lies the Festival Centre. Part of the area is cordoned off due to construction activities. I walk along the Festival Centre towards the banks of the Torrens River. People lie on the grass. Others pedal paddle boats on the river. I return to North Terrace. Here lie the museums of Adelaide and the University. The South Australian Museum houses an extensive Aboriginal collection.

Australia - The Palm House in the Botanical Gardens of Adelaide

I skip the museums and walk along North Terrace to the Botanical Garden. As soon as I enter the Adelaide Botanic Garden, I see beautifully landscaped beds around water features. In a glass pavilion, the giant water lily grows. In the historic orangery from 1855 are tropical plants, palms, and cacti. I walk back to Rundle Street. The street is pleasantly busy. Everyone is busy doing their Christmas shopping. I buy some biscuits at the supermarket. I need to eat something. I also buy some food for tomorrow morning. Finally, I take two bottles of water with me for the coming days. I return to my hotel room. I feel chilly and crawl into bed. Hopefully, it will be just one off-day.