Adelaide is the captal city of South Australia

First impressions are often lasting impressions. My first impression of Adelaide after not having been here for 20-odd years is that it is well cared for and a city of which people are proud. Coming in from the airport to the town centre (and comparing the same journey in Darwin), the streets are clean, the verges maintained, very little evidence of graffiti on buildings and evident pride in the general city environment. The main drag from the airport to the CBD in Darwin is about as far removed from Adelaide as A is from Z.

I had a reasonable conversation with the taxi driver, who has been driving taxis in Adelaide for 20 years. He knows the city and reflects people’s pride in this place. His cab was clean and well-maintained, and his dress reflected Pride in the taxi driving profession.

Again, compared with Darwin, there was an A-Z difference just on this point. It would not hurt if the Northern Territory taxi driving industry examined how cars and drivers were present in the city. At the airport, passengers are assisted to a cab, and people with impediments are given that extra courtesy they need after a long-haul flight.

I was directed to a bay where the taxi would pull, and the concierge (controller) assisted with my luggage. That sure helped because I felt pretty stuffed and not particularly well.

One of the things that impresses Adelaide driving into town is the healthy mix of old and new buildings. All the structures are well preserved, and older buildings are well maintained. That level of the mixture is something I’ve not seen in cities where the first thought about construction and expansion is tearing down once already there. That mixing of building types fascinates and appeals.

Over a 12 km journey, I only saw one manifestation of graffiti on the building wall. Instead, gather from talking to the taxi driver that defacements are dealt with promptly and graffiti cleaned off. Neither was the letter along the roadsides either in gutters are on verges.

Much of the road is lined with deciduous trees, which will soon bloom. Those trees are maintained, apparent from their shape.

Streets are wide, and there’s plenty of Parkland interspersed with development. Although we are coming out of winter down south at the moment, I believe that the grass of these park areas has more to do with reticulation and maintenance than the vagaries of the weather.

There is a healthy mix of old and new buildings and architectural styles. Included are buildings with wrought iron facades. Major roads are wide and accommodate maximum traffic flow, and roundabouts are mixed with traffic lights. Routes are very clearly signposted.