Hilary's Adventures Down Under: Wrong Bus Stops, 3km walks and Chocolate Factory Tours - sounds like a scene out of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory eh?

G'day,

[Happy April's Fool - this post is about March 31 & April 1, 2009 who doesn't love combo posts?]

On the 31st I had a mix-up of a day. I got up late - I overslept my alarm clock by almost an hour. But so had everyone else this morning so it was interesting. I was rushing around and then missed the bus I needed to get to Magill. I was supposed to go to the ending day of the DV/Self-Defense class, but knew I wouldn't make it in time since I had gotten up late. I missed another bus in the city because it was leaving just as I was arriving. I finally got to Magill and discovered Morgan there - the end of Self Defense class was LAST week. Which was a bummer and I would have missed it either way. So I spent the day blogging (or trying to) and catching up on my schedule and emailing stuff back home. I've been having some real issues with my Wartburg email account and it's just a big pain in my ass really.

I chatted with Andrea and we squared away the night to go and see He's Just Not That Into You. Morgan and I caught a bus back to the city and then off to our house to change quick before the movie. We came back, I dropped my computer off, changed and then caught a bus back to the city. There we met up with Ellie and took a bus out to the Greater Union Megaplex... only we never made it. Online it said to get off at stop 29A. Well 29A never presented itself, but 29 did and then 30. So we got off even though I said this didn't look anything like the Marion Mall (I've been there before) so we walked across the street and asked these two men that came out of a Thai restaurant that was reserved for a private party where the Greater Union Megaplex was at. The older man offered to take us in his car, but the younger man said no. They said it was 5km down the road and when you get to the end go left on Sturt Rd. So we started walking... Ellie didn't like this idea too much, but then again she's had a lot on her mind and had a rough day transportation wise. I kept trying to call Andrea to let her know what we might (no might about it we were going to be) late. She was driving so she didn't answer her phone. I think we walked almost 3kms before Andrea came and picked us up. She was already at the theater when I was able to get ahold of her. She was willing to drive around and find us. We ended up walking through: Glenelg, Kensington, Hove and Brighton. There was another on in there too, but I don't remember the name. We made it back to the theater, but were too late to get into a movie. 9:30 is when movies are last shown at this theater. It was a bummer that we missed out, but then again there is always another time.

April Fool's - April 1st

[Sadly, I don't think that April Fool's is a big deal here...]

Today I got up and went into work at Sefton. I cranked out a few contracts, paperwork, etc. and laughed with Andrea about last night's events. I got my weekly exercise in man. I got some solid work in before I headed off to catch a bus back to Parkside to go to Haigh's Chocolate Factory where we had booked a tour. The tour lasted only 20 minutes, but it was one of the best tours of my life. We went in and sat in a little room with 20 other tourists - most Australian, others from different countries. There was a girl there who had summered in Okoboji - small world! So we got some free tasting of the milk chocolates and dark chocolates... CHOCOLATE LIKE I'VE NEVER TASTED BEFORE! We were given the history of how Haigh's was started.

Basically, the third generation of Haigh's went and lived in Switzerland with a family for a year as a tutor for their son while they taught him everything they knew about making chocolate. They helped him purchase machines since nothing like that was being made in Australia. This family gave Mr. Haigh the secret to making chocolate - and they were the only family out of 10 that would help him. Thank God they did, or I wouldn't be here writing this. We got to tour the factory and see how everything is made. We learned where they get their beans from, how they use them, etc. There are 60 full time employees who are trained in every aspect of the chocolate making from the hand-wrapping of all candies, to the shining of the chocolates to sorting the boxes and labeling. It was so amazing to see and I don't think I would be getting a tour like that at Hershey's or Nestle's anytime soon. I wish we could've taken pictures, but that's not allowed. I did discover some photos on the walls when I went to find the toilet. So enjoy the ones I've posted. I didn't buy any chocolates that day, but plan on going back. I might bring some back so you can taste some real chocolate - and Haigh's doesn't export. Bummer.

After the tour, Ellie and I headed down Unley Rd and did some shopping and window browsing. I bought a new purse because my zebra stripped one from Sassy's went all dodgy and broke on me. Once again - don't buy a purse at Sassy's. Seriously. I got some gifts for people and then Ellie and I got Unley Civic Library cards. Whoo! I love libraries and owning library cards. :)

Enjoy the photos of the factory!