Winter 2019 OZ - 27 Hahndorf and Robe, SA

2019 OZ - 27   Hahndorf and Robe, SA

Hahndorf Inn - Too Cold to Eat Outside

We should have stayed in Hahndorf instead of Adelaide, Carol said.

The town of Hahndorf is an old, field stoned, German town from 1839 with wonderful old shops and lots of history. The town  is part of the story of German settlements in South Australia as found here, under the header of Klemzig. 

Street Art In Hahndorf

Hahndorf was named after the Captain (Mr. Hahn) of the ship Zebra, who brought a wave of German immigrants to Australia. This Capt. Hahn was very helpful to his passengers and in honor of his selfless service the people named the town Hahndorf.

Shop Window of a German Shop

The history of Germans in Australia is not a happy one. During both World Wars (1 & 2) Australians of German descent were hated, harassed and mistrusted. The German religious schools, their clubs, newspapers, etc. were shut down by the Government. Many Australians of German ancestry were fired from their job; it was not a happy picture. It was against the law to teach the German language, etc.

Main Street of Hahndorf

You can read here how it was and make up your own mind.  

But let’s go to the happy place, the old town of Hahndorf:

There are reasons to stop in Hahndorf:  Great Opal Wholesale shops so Carol could window shop. (Un?) fortunately the shops were closed when we got there). Hahndorf has farm barns, restaurants, gift shops, historic tours, etc. We could not stay overnight however. The weather was miserable, too. We had rain, very windy weather and leaves blowing every which way. Autumn had arrived in Australia; the leaves remaining on the trees were bright red, ready to fall off. 

The Big Lobster

This rainy weather lingered all day, even during our stops further down the road it was raining.  

Lunch was at the Giant Lobster, a very touristy place along the way. It was just a lunch stop, but Carol found a ‘monument’ the Sundial of Human Involvement. Please read the article to explain it, I have no clue and I don’t really understand it… to me it was a bit farfetched.

It Was a Windy, Stormy Day

The end of the road for the day was the small town of Robe, SA. 

We tried to do the scenic route, but when we stepped out of the car we were literally blown over. The winds were so bad, the rain and the cold kept us just peeking out the car windows. I can see that this town of Robe, on a nice, mild, sunny day, could be charming, but for Carol and me it was just a quick look here and there. The jetty looked inviting to wander across, to fish from, but no, brr…. It’s getting colder now, time to head back to Canada.
 

Cell For Several Prisoners

We did step out of the car to see the Old Gaol, (yes, spelling is ao). It’s another prison from the year 1860. Australia has so many of those. Iron plated walls made this prison impossible to escape from.

We stopped for the night at the old Guichen Bay Motel.

Guichen Bay Motel and Restaurant

Winter 2019 OZ - 25 Touring Adelaide

2019 OZ - 25   Touring Adelaide

Adelaide is not a walking city.

The Adelaide Arcade, a 2 Story Shopping Centre

Oh, Adelaide is big, spread out, has fairly good public transport (buses) and we took one of those buses to the center of town, to the ‘old’ city. The guidebooks we read told us to see the closed off Pedestrian Only Section, see the covered ‘gallery’ of shops, etc.

A lady on the bus told us where to get off, what to see, where we would get the bus back, etc. The people in Adelaide were very friendly but somehow I was suspicious. I don’t know why, it might have been just me, a feeling of unrest, a feeling of dread, unfounded as it turned out.

Glass Ceiling Inside the Arcade

We got off the bus near the Adelaide Arcade, and walked like tourists gawking at all the high end goods offered. It’s a beautiful shopping venue but we don’t need ‘stuff’. Carol loves her amber jewelry and was interested in an amber ring, but it was not attractive and really was not a high quality. 

I bought some chocolate at Haigh's and we had a coffee to go with it. Delicious!  

They All Looked Delicious

Coffee and Chocolate - YUM

We walked to the old Railroad Station and the Parliament Buildings, but it was what every capital city in the world has and not that attractive. 

We even trundled through Rundle Street. 

Busker on Rundle Street

Pedestrian Only Rundle Street

Maybe I was looking for something that did not exist. I just could not find this special thing. I had no clue what I was looking for, but nothing struck me as ‘outstanding’ or ‘extra’ ordinary.

A Quick Visit to Unimpressive Chinatown

The people were very friendly, the town was vibrant, but I was not in harmony with the vibes I felt.

We took the bus back in the early afternoon, I read a book and that was that…bye Adelaide.