Being our last full day in Adelaide, after we had a FaceTime chat to our son Andrew, his first such use of his iPhone, we went off to visit Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in the hope of experiencing a 'performance' and finding out more about the tribes that inhabited Southern Australia.
We arrived in time but the single performer had not yet arrived and when he did, only played the yidaki (didgeridoo) to illustrate a few very short stories and then allowed the two men present to have a go. Tribal customs do not allow women to play the yidaki. I managed a note or two which was amazing but can imagine that one would need to practice the breathing technique a lot to be able to play adequately. The whole event was over in about 20 minutes which was a bit of a disappointment.
There was an art exhibition and one of the local artists was in residence to explain the work which was very interesting and there was a shop but not much else and almost nothing about the Torres Strait Islanders who appear to be recognised equally alongside Aborigines. It was not what I anticipated having read the publicity leaflet but I guess in part they were preparing for a big opening next week of a major exhibition so several of the display areas were empty and closed off to the public.
Across the road we came across a wonderful cafe making beautiful and tasty crepes and amazing coffee and most of the staff were French! If you are in Adelaide and want something a little different try Le Carpe Diem at 230-32 on Grenfell Street.
We then took a tram to the local seaside, Glenelg for a walk along the promenade and beach, a paddle in the Southern Ocean, it was too cloudy and cold to swim, a look around the town and to find a fish and seafood restaurant for an early dinner.
Despite being a seaside town they were a bit short on such establishments but we were told about one at the local bookshop where we went to purchase postcards and were rewarded by a wonderfully tasty Fisherman's platter for sharing with a local Reisling which was very palatable. We continue to be surprised, however, that local wines cost as much in a restaurant here as the same wines in the UK, yet they do not have to travel very far and we thought taxes were lower in Oz! We heartily recommend the restaurant, Cardone's Seafood & Grill for lovely food and excellent service.
Back by tram to the hotel to pack ready for the next steps on our GAA, towards Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road.
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