Planned before Christmas, we recently enjoyed a two day outing to Adelaide. With the hotel booked we had no option but to drive to the city on the hottest day of the year – a forecasted temperature of 45 degrees. However, this was not the only reason for making the journey – we were keen to visit two photographic exhibitions before they finished at the end of January.
Australian Geographic Nature Photographer
Due to the expected high temperatures, we decided to head for the air conditioned comfort of the Adelaide Museum on our arrival in Adelaide, after a journey watching the car thermometer steadily rising from 25 to 43. The museum was the venue of the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer Exhibition. Every print on display was accompanied by a short story behind the image – each highlighting the dedication and patience of the photographer, from lying on an ant nest for hours to visiting a scene day after day until the light, weather and subject all aligned. The photos were nothing short of inspiring.
After lunch in the museum café, we drove to our hotel, The Terrace Hotel, on South Terrace. We had booked a room at a very good price and were apprehensive about the quality of the accommodation. We need not have been so concerned as the room was very comfortable and, on level 8, had a good view across the southern side of the CBD (see the header image above).
The Cinema
In order to make the most of our visit, we had decided to go the cinema, a bit of a treat for us regional residents. Having decided on the movie and the cinema, we left the hotel after enjoying our welcome drink at the bar. We eventually found the entrance of the cinema, down an alley. The experience that followed was nothing short of dehumanising. The entrance doors were closed (OK, due to the heat), but looked like the emergency exits from the building. After negotiating the doors, there were no smiling human ticket sellers to be seen. Just like the car park we had left earlier, there was a touch activated ticket machine that told us the movie we selected was not available until the next day, despite the online program telling us otherwise. Undaunted, I negotiated screen after screen to eventually buy tickets and select seats for the movie. The capacity of cinema 10 was about twenty four, nobody checked our tickets and we were the only audience. In other words. If this is the way the world is heading it is no surprise that social connection and mental health are becoming such a significant issues. From entering to leaving we had no other human contact.
However, we enjoyed a thought provoking and at times emotional movie, The Choral. Set at the beginning of WW1, it told the story of then struggle to keep a local choir going and to stage a keynote concert.
Back at the hotel, the Australian Open kept our eyes from closing for about half an hour before sleep demanding its attention.
Titan Arum
During the week before our departure, the tension and anticipation increased as we neared our departure date. The much advertised imminent flowering of Titan Arum, the corpse flower, in the botanic gardens was holding back. On the one hand we hoped it might bloom for our visit, but on the other we would not have enjoyed the crowds and two hour queues that were expected.
As it happened the flower, which only blooms for 48 hours and apparently smells like dead rats or other decaying organic matter, reached its climax on the weekend. So, we were saved from the crowds and the smell, with only the limp remains of a proud erection remaining.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The finalists of Wildlife Photographer of the Year were being displayed in the Bicentennial Conservatory alongside the Corpse Flower. This was another inspiring exhibition of the very best wildlife photographers, but I question the choice of venue. The humidity was so high we had to take seat half way through and a couple of times the ‘rain’ was switched on (fortunately the images were printed on metal).
Adelaide Zoo
One advantage of being members of Zoos SA, is that we have free access to the Adelaide Zoo and many others here and interstate. We had parked within easy reach of the botanic gardens and the zoo and with a marked drop in temperature, we headed for the zoo. The first stop was the panda enclosure, but the residents were nowhere to be seen. Next stop was the enclosed aviary where many species of brightly coloured birds were to be seen.
While leaning against a railing waiting for K to photograph a Lyre Bird, a friendly bird sidled up to me and started what looked like as mating routine. Quickly loosing interest at my lack of response it flew on across the pathway where I was able to photograph it. I didn’t catch the name of the species, but I was told it had been hand reared. I was apparently privileged as it only shares it affection with ‘special’ people.
Time on our car park meter was running out, so we had a quick snack, walked back to the car and drove home.
2 Responses
fantastic blog.
Thank you, Janeen