Detroit certainly is an interesting place to say the least. Birth place and still home to the American automotive industry, moving around Detroit it's easy to see that there was once a thriving manufacturing industry. Unfortunately since those heady days, they appear to have gone through a few tougher times. There are a lot of abandoned and condemned buildings in close to the city centre (actually most places you look) and for what is suppose to be the states largest city by far, it certainly was quiet as we moved around the place. There is just didn't seem to be many people out and about.

(On the river front there is a bricked in map of the world - Brisbane was marked on the map, sorry Adelaide)

All that said, it's certainly also very obvious that they are making an effort to rebuild and re-energize the city. There are numerous building projects underway to attract people and businesses back to Detroit. Give it a few years and I think it will be well on its way.

Michael Bublé

But our main reason for going was to see Michael Bublé in concert. He did travel to DC, though unfortunately we were away in Florida sitting on the beach (I know it's a hard life). So we thought we might as well go somewhere different to see him in concert. And what a concert it was!!!! Possibly the best concert either of us have seen and if you have the opportunity to go and see him, we can highly recommend it. He is not only a fantastic singer but also a great entertainer. Also the concert was held in this beautiful old theatre that was over 75 years old. Certainly added to the experience.

Henry Ford Museum

The next day we headed to the Henry Ford Museum. Carol was once again thrilled to be visiting another museum but to her surprise she really enjoyed this one as well. Not only is it a museum about the Ford motor company and cars but shows early forms of travel, from horse drawn carriages, steam cars and trains, electric cars, planes, industrializing the country, civil rights and a lot more. We spent about 3 hours there and could have easily spent more. Have a look at some of the exhibits below.

		A small horse drawn cart used by General Tom Thumb	One day Adam!!!!	An old steam powered car that could be ready to go in 90 seconds and could do over 100 mph
Early fire engine	This steam engine is a replica of the steam engine that was used as the standard design for all steam engines to come	A massive Allegheny steam locomotive that is over 125 ft long and requires so much coal to keep it going that they had a cork screw set up to feed it.	Something for the MG lovers
Imagine trying to get the coordination going on this bike - and the arguements about who is going to steer		An old Rolls Royce car, still with red lettering instead of black		The car that JFK was riding in when he was shot
The chair that Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot	On this bus, Rosa Parks (an African American woman) initiated the civil rights movement by sitting in the area that was supposedly for white people

 

The Detroit River

After the Henry Ford Museum we headed back into town for a relaxing cruise down the Detroit River. One side of the river is Detroit and the USA, the other side is Canada. The river side area of Detroit is probably the main area that they are currently working on resurrecting but the difference between the US side and the Canadian side is like night and day. That said it was good to see more of Detroit and really get an appreciation of the entire area. There certainly are some beautiful areas of Detroit along the river. The river flows into lake St Claire and though 100's of miles from the ocean, it was funny for us to see massive cargo ships steaming up and down the river.

An interesting fountain by the riverside park	They moved this church to make way for a new road by rolling it on logs	There is a cheap and convenient light-rail system around the Detroit CBD. Made it easy for us to get around	Our hotel, very handy to the concert hall but had an interest elevator - more triangular than the normal shape	Always got to sample the local delicacies
They have built a performance piazza by the river, similar to the one at South Bank in Brisbane	There are factories like this up and down the Detroit side of the river	One of the cargo ships moving up the river	The Canadian Club distillery	Detroit sky line
The Canadian side of the river has a series of parks dotted along the river bank	More Detroit factories