New Year’s Eve at Adelaide
To me all days of the year starts with lots of promises, plan to do a lot, try my level best to achieve most and at the end of the day evaluate what could I perform and what could not. Yet few days are very special like Eid-e-Mialdun Nabi, Eid Days, February 21, March 26, Pohela Boishakh, August 15, December 16, my parent’s death anniversaries, January 9 and February 6. These days I do something always.
My fate has driven me in adopting Australia as my new country for living. We live in Melbourne, the best livable city in the world. In Western World New year’s eve and New Year’s Day have special significance. We have to go with the tide. Since year 2008 I try to make the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day something to reflect upon, something to remember. Like to take an account of the year gone past and plan for year ahead. In 2008 we were at Sydney harbor and witnessed the spectacular fireworks from near the opera house. In 2010 was at Creek Prince Dubai, in 2011 was at Philip Island Melbourne, in 2012 was at Launceston Tasmania and in 2013 was Adelaide. This year Allah willing we are making plan to spend that time either at Auckland or at Hobart .This write up will start from Adelaide experience.
In December 2012 the Surgeon deferred Rozy’s open heart surgery till March 2014 putting me in a bit of a bother whether or not to extend my contract with Afghanistan Government beyond January 2014. Decided not too as I was unsure what the President Election may trigger there. But anyway wanted to utilize my time with the family count. Shuvra suggested spending time in Adelaide and drive there from Melbourne. After our usual annual schedule of witnessing the Boxing Day test at MCG we made a week long program for Adelaide from December 28 till January 1 as I was to return to Kabul to wind up my assignment there from January 3, 2014. I have already written on our visit for the first few days at Adelaide. Here is the last and one of the most memorable day that we spent at Adelaide Zoo during the last day of 2013 and Glenelg Beach at New Years fireworks evening and mid night.
We had very tight schedule at Adelaide and had to regret few invitation of my friends and relatives living there .We had to keep Rozy in good spirit and keep her relaxed. I had plan to witness KFC Big bash Cricket match between Red backs and Bush Rangers at Adelaide Oval. But had to bury that idea as Rozy wanted to visit Adelaide Zoo and spend the evening at Glenelg Beach viewing the fireworks.
We made a quick tour around and inside the beautiful Adelaide Oval before setting off for a visit to Adelaide Zoo. I could feel why many consider Adelaide Oval to be one of the most beautiful Cricket stadiums of the world. The upgrading and renovation works were going on for making it more attractive for the ICC World Cup 2015
Adelaide Oval
Adelaide Oval is a stadium in Adelaide, South Australia, located in the parklands between the city center and Adelaide. The stadium is mostly used for cricket and football, but also plays host to rugby league, rugby union, soccer, and concerts. Its record crowd for cricket was 50,962 during the Bodyline Third Test in 1933, and its overall record attendance was 62,543 at the 1965 SANFL Grand Final between the Port Adelaide and Sturt Football Clubs.
The Oval has been headquarters to the South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) since 1871 and South Australian National Football League (SANFL) since 2014 the stadium is managed by the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority (AOSMA). Redevelopments between 2008 and 2014, costing $575 million, increased the stadium's seating capacity from 34,000 to 53,583 (including standing room) The Adelaide and Port Adelaide Football Clubs also returned to the stadium, leaving Football Park.
In 2010, Austadiums.com called the Adelaide Oval "one of the most picturesque Test cricket grounds in Australia, if not the world. In December 2009 South Australian Premier Mike Rann announced a $450 million government commitment to redevelop Adelaide Oval to enable AFL Football to be played there. In May 2011 Treasurer Kevin Foley announced an increase in government funding to $535 million. [9] After the redevelopment, sports journalist Gerard Whatley described it as "the most perfect piece of modern architecture because it's a thoroughly contemporary stadium with all the character that it's had in the past."
After visiting Adelaide Oval and having a quick Snack we head off for Adelaide Zoo where we spent memorable few hours on the last day of 2013. Of the many animals and birds the Pandas were very special. Rozy also loved Kangaroos, Coala Bears, Pelicans and Emos.
Adelaide Zoo is Australia's second oldest zoo, and the only major metropolitan zoo in Australia to be owned and operated on a non-profit basis. It is located in the parklands just north of the city center of Adelaide, South Australia. It is a full institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). The zoo also owns the Monarto open plains zoo near Murray Bridge.
The zoo houses about 300 native and exotic species, with over 1,800 animals on site. The zoo's most recent enclosures are in the second phase of the South-East Asia exhibit, known as Immersion, providing visitors with the experience of walking through the jungle, with Sumatran Tigers and Orangutans seemingly within reach.
Many features of the zoo are of architectural importance and are heritage listed by the National Trust of South Australia, including the front entrance on Frome Road and the former Elephant House. The zoo is also a botanical garden and the grounds contain significant exotic and native flora, including a Moreton Bay Fig planted in 1877.
The Giant Panda exhibit, which opened in December 2009, is home to two Giant Pandas, Wang Wang and Funi.
The Zoo has a particular focus on species from the Gondwana 'supercontinent' which was made up of South America, India, Africa, Australia and South East Asia. The botanic similarities between the regions are featured in the Zoo’s main exhibits, which include a South East Asian Rainforest, and Australian Rainforest Wetlands walk-through aviary. The South East Asian exhibit combines Sumatran Orangutan and Siamang together. It also combines Malayan Tapir and Dusky Leaf Monkey together. In the past, in fact almost to the present day, Adelaide Zoo was famous for having the best bird collection and display of all the Australian Zoos.
By the time we finished walking around the huge zoo all got very tired and had to return to Motor Inn for a brief rest .But we could not take longer rest as all roads were soon heading towards Gleneleg Beach for new years fireworks.
Glenelg Beach
You’ll find all the delights of a seaside village and more in lively Glenelg, which sits in Holdfast Bay, a 25-minute tram ride from Adelaide’s centre. There is a sandy white beach, charming heritage hotels and bustling shops, sidewalks cafes and summer entertainment. You can also swim with wild dolphins, go diving or snorkelling or join a fishing charter. Trace Glenelg’s history in the galleries and museums, join in the fun of various festivals and meander along the coast to neighboring beach towns.
The popularity of Glenelg as a seaside destination certainly hasn’t waned over the years, as you’ll see when you wander the buzzing dining and shopping strip of Jetty Road. Browse some of the hundreds of specialty stores or dine in an al fresco restaurant. For more stylish dining, head down to Holdfast Marina, a great place to enjoy Glenelg’s magnificent sunsets.
The marina is also the departure point for the dolphin sailing tours which circuit Holdfast Bay several times a day. Spot bottle nosed and common dolphins on a daytime or twilight cruise or join a tour which lets you swim with them. Glenelg is a hub for lots of other ocean adventures. Learn to surf, go snorkelling or scuba dive the various reefs and drop-offs. Take an adrenalin-pumping jet boat ride along the coastline or sign up for a fishing charter on a day excursion or overnight adventure. Glenelg is also home to a popular amusement park and a scenic seaside golf course.
We reached the beach adjacent area by 6 PM and were very lucky getting a parking place not too far from the place of the event. Rozy was very excited as for the first time in her life she could be with me for a New Year fire works with me beside a spectacular beach. She was very keen for swimming and had to be persuaded not too by Shvro and me. We played beach cricket and after that I swam with a group of Kiwis and South Africans. Watching the last sunset of 2013 seating beside wife and son on the shore of South Ocean was a memorable experience.
There were two fireworks one at 7PM for the children and the other as usual at Zero hours of Year 2014. There were plenty of entertainment, music, dance and aboriginal cultural activities leading to Children’s events and in between two fireworks. We thought of returning after the evening event as we were to drive back from Adelaide to Melbourne Next day – a 900 KM drive. But Rozy was so excited that in respecting her wishes we stayed back. We had delightful dinner at a very special sea side restaurant. Rosy and Shuvro had specially cooked Salmon and Salad. I ordered for King Prawns cooked in honey. But in excitement I ticked a wrong item. When it came I found King Crabs instead. I was hesitating. But once tasted it was sumptuous.
Fireworks were spectacular. Rozy took several memorable photographs. Another year went for ever and another new year was born. Every old thing has thus to give way to new creation. Must thank Rozy and Shuvro for making my stay at Adelaide very special.
BDST: 1051 HRS, OCT 21, 2014
