Here are a handful of miscellaneous moments from my time on Kangaroo Island with Groovy Grape Getaways.

We stay overnight at a simple lodge with bunk beds and a communal kitchen (Flinders Chase Lodge Accommodation — “E” on the map below).

We’re the only group here so we have the place to ourselves and spend a long time chatting after dinner — mostly about culture and politics in Australia compared our respective countries (our group is mostly European).

In the morning I spend a few minutes wandering the grounds. While we’re not surrounded by kangaroos (as my friend and Y&R stage manager, Tom, was when he visited the island years ago), I do spy the odd combination of horses and a llama in the distance.

Here’s the Groovy Grape van, our transportation of choice on Kangaroo Island:

We don’t make use of the fire pit but I bet it’s a delightful place to gather ’round in warmer months.

Here’s the kitchen and eating area of our accommodation. For dinner our guide Luke whips up a delicious chicken stir fry.

In the van, Luke maps out our stops for the day.

We spend some time at the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre (I forgot to mark it on the map below but it’s just above “F” and “G”).

This is the skin of an echidna, whose spikes may remind you of a porcupine; they could do serious damage to an opponent in the wild.

My mocha latte is a work of art.

And rack focus:

Luke tends to the grill as he prepares one more BBQ for our group. The food on this trip rocks.

Hi Luke!

Side note: Luke’s wife is named is Laura, making them Luke & Laura. The soap opera fan in me gets a kick out of that.

A crow stares at our group while we eat. Luke tells us that crows are one of the few animals to hold a grudge; they will seek out opportunities for revenge. They are also one of a few species who hold funerals when a fellow crow dies.

After lunch we hike up Prospect Hill, the highest spot on Kangaroo Island for sweeping views of the area (“I” on the map below). Incidentally, this map shows every stop of our trip, in the order we did everything.

Even wrapped in mist it’s a pretty look-out.

As we say good-bye to Kangaroo Island, here’s a video Groovy Grape put together featuring some of the photos I took:

Later that night we return to Adelaide. I have one day in this city and while I spend most of it editing photos and writing blog posts, I get out for an hour or two before sunset to wander around. Rundle Street (below) is especially charming and I peruse the shops and restaurant menus on my walk.

I snap these images at two different coffee shops. I don’t order at either but their exterior and interior decor, respectively, catches my eye.

I grab dinner at the popular Coopers Alehouse just around the corner from my hostel. Go early to avoid crowds.

And I catch up with my friends Matthias and Ayumi, whom I met on the Great Ocean Road tour with Groovy Grape!

Do you see what I see? There’s a Target… which is one of my ‘happy places’ in the States. I’ve been to quite a few since arriving in Australia and the familiarity of that big red dot and aisles brimming with goodness never fails to put a smile on my face.

That wraps up my time in Kangaroo Island and Adelaide! Later today I’ll post a quick recap of my entire adventure with Groovy Grape — and why you should consider traveling with this awesome company if you find yourself in South Australia.

This post is sponsored by Groovy Grape Getaways, who cater to the adventurous backpacker looking for a fun and informative trip. These photos were taping on the Kangaroo Island tour. All opinions are my own.