So some friends of my friends came over from Melbourne for a visit and the bunch of us, having nothing better to do (and Adelaide having nothing better to offer us) all headed over to the airport to pick up these two people (Esther and Kevin). =) Since esther’s flight was due to arrive at 12 pm and Kevin’s at 4.30 pm, what we did in the hours in between was to walk over to IKEA which is conveniently housed next to the airport for meatballs (yum!), and a little shopping (laundry baskets for only $2!!! and $0.50 mugs).

So when you have a friend over for a visit, it is of course customary to bring your friend to all the (many) attractions that your place have to offer. Kevin said that he will forever refer to Adelaide as the ‘Chocolate Place’ since everywhere we went to had chocolate to offer (Handoff, Haigh’s, Cocolat, The Chocolate Bean etc etc).

However, we didn’t just bring them to chocolate places (we’re not like THAT). We did bring them to Barossa Valley which consists of numerous vineyards owned by big / small companies / families. FYI, South Australia produces 50% of Australia’s wines and Barossa concentrates on producing quality wines rather than quantity. So we went on a one day trip which involved visiting some touristy spots, and vineyards for some wine tasting. =) It was rather fun.

I’ll let the pictures do the talking… I tried to put in in the order of places that we went to.

Felicia, me, Esther and Yan Yung with a giant rocking horse as our backdrop. It rocks!!! kidding. =P

After 5 months in Australia, I finally took a picture with a kangaroo. =P I should compare it with those that were taken 8 years go when I first visited.

Enjoying a 3 course meal at the local inn. I got a bit adventurous and tried the Kangaroo steak which resulted in me being severely admonished by the rest of the gang for even attempting to feast on some poor cute little creature that just hours ago, was feeding off my hand. There goes my conscience. >.<

Some of the wines that we tasted. I prefer sweeter wines over the dry ones which can be very bitter. >.< We visited a total of four vineyards and each one was very different. I like those boutique wines =) nicer than those being mass produced.

The girls, and the guys. This was taken at sculpture Park although you can’t see and sulptures in the picture. They are all scattered over the slope of the hill which overlooks acres and acres of vineyards. Their vineyards are like the palm oil estates or paddy fields that you get in Malaysia. Stretches as far as the eye can see.

Me, Felicia, Yeap Shen, Esther

This is the Whispering Wall at one of the many dams built in Australia. Apparently the curve of the dam was just right so that sound waves could travel from one end to the other perfectly. Two people can hold a conversation together by standing at opposite ends of the wall. Astonishing.

Last vineyard at Jacob’s Creek. By that time, we were les interested in the wine and more interested in taking random pictures of each other instead. Maybe it was all that alcohol. =P

Oh, and we had a Girls Night In yesterday to celebrate a few birthdays =) One ex-housemate + current housemate who have been best friends since I don’t know when and who also share the same birthday (11th July), and me =) (15th July). Teresa and Cherie are both turning 21 though this year. Me, I am right now enjoying the last few days of my teenage years whereas my sister just turned 17 TODAY . AND, Yeap Shen turned 21 a few days ago (on the 7th). Vishnu, on the other hand will be celebrating his 18th birthday (this coming 17th July) in UK, lucky guy. My MOM, =) will also be having her birthday this 30th of July, and I don’t think she will take kindly to me revealing her age her on my blog so we’ll leave it at that while Roman enjoys the same birthday as Harry Potter. He’ll be turning 18 this year.

So Happy Birthday to everyone….

[EDIT] I forgot that Ken Fai turned 21 yesterday as well. So sorry. =) Happy 21st!!! [/EDIT]