Adelaide

As in many cities, there are slightly more women than men. Citizens of Adelaide are all very polite, helpful, and sociable, but their English takes some getting used to. There is a peculiar way of speaking where some of the sounds are swallowed, forming many unusual conversational abbreviations, for example, "G*day" instead of "good day".

• Devote a few days to leisurely strolls around the city. Admire the chic Victorian buildings, marvel at the number of churches and cathedrals, sit on benches in shady squares and parks, and check out the monumental central city market. Try to get a sense of Adelaide's laid-back attitude, take selfies with unusual monuments and groups of statues, such as the hilarious piggies that block the way for pedestrians in the city center.
• It is easier to understand Adelaide itself and Australia as a whole at the unique Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. This unique museum contains clothing, drawings, weapons, utensils, and even musical instruments of various tribes. Only members of the very indigenous peoples of South Australia work here as guides. There are daily Aboriginal shows with ceremonial songs and dances and a shop at the center where you can buy authentic, local handicrafts.
• Get to Kangaroo Island, Adelaide's main tourist attraction. Wander the trails, hoping to see a cautious wombat, echidna, or some other equally unusual animal representatives of this continent. They are kept here in practically free conditions, and it is always a factor of luck to meet them. And also, admire the unique rocks created by wind and water for millions of years. They certainly do not hide from the tourists. The local colonies of sea lions and seals are less mobile and always ready for a photoshoot.
• Spend your day at Glenelg Beach in Holdfast Bay. In addition to gentle sea waves and white sand, dolphins are the highlight of the bay. You can also take a walk on the long pier, which extends into the ocean for almost 400 meters.
• Cruise down the Murray River on a steamboat, an exact replica of those that sailed these waters more than a century ago. This ride gives unforgettable views of Australian nature. By the way, the route is popular not only with tourists but also with the locals.
• See the largest water lily in the world, Victoria amazonica, which is the pride of the local botanical garden. There is a separate pavilion for it. By the way, this garden is a place where you can walk endlessly. It was founded in the XIX century, and its collection includes hundreds of plants from different corners of the globe. And many of the specimens are also over a hundred years old. Swans and ducks walk along its paths, begging visitors for food, and flying foxes doze over their heads in the crowns of trees, wrapped snugly in their leathery wings.
• Taste some delicious Australian wine on a trip to the Barossa Valley. There are about 50 farms and large and not-so-large, family-owned wineries here, 60 kilometers from Adelaide, by the North Para River. This is the state's premier wine region, with unique vineyards and even a small museum where tourists can learn more about the culture and traditions of winemaking.
• See the pandas. They are perfectly nestled in the local zoo next to native Australian kangaroos, koalas, and another 300 species of animals: meerkats, sea lions, giraffes, Sumatran tigers. In general, Adelaide Zoo is a fascinating place, and a few hours are not enough for a walk here. This is one of the oldest zoos in Australia. Its exposition is divided into several parts for the convenience of visitors.