


	14/02/2001

	Adelaide - AUSTRALIA

	S 34°55 E 138°35

	+ 65

We spend the night in of the dormitories of the 'Kangaroo Island Central Backpackers', a monastic room with 12 beds. We feel like being in army barracks, but without men magazines hidden under the mattress. Foot smell, mosquitoes, cold shower and stress to send in time the Journal; we go to bed at 3.00 am. We're on bunk beds and feel terribly single...

... we all think about Valentine's day !

There have been of course love stories during the Car@van's trip, between real travelers and locals, but still none between the Team's members. Theo is unquestionably the great seductor of the group. He receives quite often love messages from fans. The others are calmer, but for how long?

As you spend a romantic day or in full depression, some of us continue the exploration of Kangaroo's Island. Olivier, 3 real German travelers and seven other short-stay nomads are responsible for the images - for you, virtual ! By the way, Aleko saved his life by taking off a small venomous spider - a black widow - that was climbing on his sleeve. Terror !

Unfortunately, the Team has some appointments with media in Adelaide, and we have to cross the sea again. As soon as we arrive, we are blocked in traffic jams... NO !... not again ! We turn back, cancel the appointments to take refuge in a small restaurant in the middle of pine trees.

M. Andrew welcomes us warmly: he was born in Greece, from Rhodes. His dream was to build a restaurant; he made it in Australia. We visit his kitchen, meet his wife Sonia and taste some of the local wines. The Team is very happy and we empty a couple of glasses.

But look at the two videos, the Team... a bit tired (!), the images of Kangaroo Island.

Today, we feel a bit like a seal playing on the beach ... a koala asleep on an eucalyptus ... a happy kangaroo jumping in the wide spaces ... sand in the middle of a dune.

All that to tell you that today, we don't feel like writing !

Click on the picture and you'll understand!


"Tonight, I'll make her being happy!" Andrew's wife was a bit angry because he speaks too much. He tells us that he prepared a surprise for Valentine's day, many flowers in the house, and a dinner with candles. "Prepare your luggage, we leave." An Australian lady (on the first video, the one with a hat and glasses) to her husband, this morning. He doesn't know where she's taking him. And for the end, more than a sentence, a gift: a stranger has offered roses to Vale and Maya ! Happy Valentine to all !

There is one thing I feel very happy about: the Car@van crosses wine countries ! In South Africa, I had a lot of pleasure with little local wines. Now, I'm very lucky to be able to taste some Australian wines ! I feel nearly like at home, in France. The Barossa Valley is about 55 km form Adelaide; it's famous for its shiraz, cabernet sauvignon or Riesling... But South East Australia has a lot of places for wines: Hunter Valley, Coonawarra, Margaret River,... The Australian wine is now well-known all over the world. Today, we had a couple of drinks with Andrew. At first a small white sauvignon none of us did really like, except Marco. Then another one, much better. With the heat and tiredness, we were all laughing in a stupid way (except Theo, today's driver). When the red wine came, we were all thinking if we would not sleep all day long! But a good Italian coffee helps us to get along. There is still a long way to go to Adelaide.

We'll discover the result of the vote, rent the right car for it and realize your desire ... See you tomorrow, Virtual Traveler !


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