Yahoo LifestyleWhy Ajay Jadeja loves Adelaide
South Australia is calling. This beautiful part of the country is worth visiting not just for the spectacular Adelaide Oval, where India and Pakistan face off on February 15, but its countless other attractions - from the sumptuous food and wine, to its wildlife and nature, and thrilling adventure sports. Get the top recommendations straight from former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja, who enjoys visiting Adelaide with his son
It’s been a while since we saw Ajay Jadeja have a good time at Adelaide. In this film released exclusively to Yahoo India Travel, the swashbuckling former Indian cricketer takes you on a tour of his favourite city, and shows you to some of the attractions that draw him there time and again.
Adelaide is the only city in Australia where you can start your day swimming with dolphins, cuddle koalas and feed kangaroos in the afternoon, and then dine at any of the city's world-class restaurants and watch a sunset at the beach. South Australia has chosen former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja as its ambassador to India, and he’s keen to take you around this beautiful landscape and show you around. Among his favourite locales here is, unsurprisingly, the stunning Adelaide Oval, one of the world’s most scenic cricket stadia, which has just undergone a refurbishment valued at over $530 million. Next year, the ICC World Cup is coming to Australia and Adelaide will host one of the most awaited encounters of the tournament - the India-Pakistan face-off on February 14. Jadeja has some good memories of playing here at the Oval.
Yahoo India Travel asked Jadeja about his recommendations to travellers visiting South Australia, particularly Adelaide, both for cricket and other diversions. Excerpts:
What are your favourite memories in Australia off field?
South Australia is a great family destination and my most favourite memories is walking around the city, sitting in cafés enjoying a cup of coffee, and playing around the vast park lands with my son. Enjoyed some bike-riding and skateboarding too. It's a city that is easy to get around in, and very safe and peaceful.
What can cricket fans hope to enjoy in South Australia?
The food and wine are spectacular. The city is beautiful and the wine regions are close enough to drive around to. There is something for everyone and it has all you need for a restful relaxing holiday. The beaches are beautiful and serene and it's the perfect place to enjoy family time at a relaxed pace.
Besides cricket, what can people do or see in South Australia?
Definitely go see the Bradman collection at the Adelaide Oval
Visit Hahndorf, which is the most beautiful quaint German town in the Adelaide hills. It's so close to the city but you are transported into a different time and era.
You have to try the cellar doors, and great food and wine in Barossa. Adelaide city and its restaurants are a must-do.
Also head out to Kangaroo Island for untouched natural beauty, great adventure sports and contact with wildlife
Glenelg is great for swimming with dolphins, too. You see so many and they are so close to the city!
Your favourite Oval moment?
The Bradman Collection is quite a beautiful capture of the life of the great batsman and was the best thing for a cricket fan like me.
Your most special moment with your son?
Would have to be sandboarding on Kangaroo Island. It was a great experience and we both had a great time. We also enjoyed just hanging around trying the great food at the restaurants in Adelaide city.
About the film
This is the second of three new films by the South Australian Tourism Commission aimed at encouraging visitors to Adelaide during the Cricket World Cup. The films star Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja and encourages Indians to visit South Australia when the country hosts the opening game of the ICC Cricket World Cup – a blockbuster limited-overs cricket match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on February 15, 2015.
This film shows Ajay spending a day in Adelaide and all the things he can do in the city in a day. You can start your day swimming with dolphins at Glenelg, cuddle a koala and feed kangaroos at Cleland in the afternoon, and still have time to roam around the city and enjoy great South Australian food and wine. Adelaide is an easily accessible city and this film is a snapshot of what visitors can experience. It is everything you can pack into an Australian holiday — nature, wildlife, beach, food and wine — and you can do it in a day.
Set to a soulful, earthy track composed by renowned Bollywood music composers Sangeet and Siddharth Haldipur, lyrics of Banjaara Dil (heard fully in first film) are by lyricist Natwar Singh. The films were conceptualised and commissioned by South Australian Tourism Commission as part of its India Strategy 2020. It is directed by Indian filmmaker Deepti Chawla and produced by Coburn Machado of Daydreamer Pictures.
By exclusive arrangement with South Australian Tourism Commission
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