Day 147 of international places giving smiles – Remembering Sydney largest city of Australia
My first visit in Sydney was straight from the airport to the railway station. The whole city was decorated in the spirit of Christmas. It seems as if the whole of Australia stops their routine life during the year end festive season.
On 5th January 2010 we were lucky to stay with friends Naushad and Mike. He studied Medicine at their University of Sydney, but was also interested in ancient architecture. He gave a detailed and interesting explanation of the many old buildings that we drove past by. He said the gay parade is also held here with great pomp and splendor.
we enjoyed the walking tour of the grand campus of the Sydney University. One interesting place there is called the Griaffiti tunnel, obviously full of creative expression by the students!
We then went to the beautiful Botanical gardens. We saw many very tall stemmed lotus, bats, birds and plants in their natural surroundings. Mike walked us to one corner and suddenly we were surprised by the sight of the majestic Sydney Opera house from a very unusual angle. The first sight of it really makes one stop and stare in awe.
We then saw a huge cruise liner decked afar from the Darling harbor. Another tourist attraction is the Sydney harbour bridge, just did not seem to have the inclination of the energy to climb its many steps.
In Naushads backyard was a garage with unique cars. Son went for a drive with Mike in his vintage Jaguar car. We stayed in their guest house above their garage which was much bigger than a typical Mumbai apartment!
We were joined with Zareena who is Naushads sister and we remembered our Europe tour days where we were usually the last to return to the coach with our shopping bags!
In the evening we went to the airport to receive husband and daughter from India. We had the chance to breaking fresh macadamia nuts from their tree in the backyard.
In the next morning their giant very friendly Alaskian Malamute husky dog Sheeba took us for a walk at the classy neighbourhood of Stratsfield in Sydney. We were lucky to get to stay in our friend Naushads 110 year old huge heritage house (that previously used to be a home for orphan children!)
we went for a visit to the Sydney Olympic Games Village. In front of the stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2000 Sydney Olympic games took place.
We had fun with the poles that contain the names of all the participants of the Sydney Olympic games
On my third visit to Sydney we checked into the Rydges hotel in the city centre. We got ready for a half day city sight seeing tour of sydney beginning with what else…a view of the Opera house from across the harbour bridge at Milsons point
We also go to see the Manly beach amd walk on its lively promenade.
We then drove through the posh residential area to be taken to the Arabanoo lookout for a panoramic view of Sydney harbor
Our last stop was at St Marys cathedral which seems like a copy of the Notre dame of France.
After rejunevating ourselves at the hotel room, it was time to see darling harbour at night. It is so bright and alive with singing dancing, ,street shows etc, I wonder when the people stop partying in this festive season.
We went back to the hotel after midnight yet the kids continued their pub hopping spree and even took pictures with the members of the band that played at the homebar.
Started the next day by getting scared of a ‘dinosaur’ and then saw many exotic marine life at the Sydney aquarium. For the first time in my life saw live dugongs…but no live mermaids
Just couldn’t resist clicking pictures of a quaint house at bondi junction, there was a lot of unusual graffiti on the walls. Son took his first attempt at surfing on bondi beach which was quite a difficult task to manage without proper guidance.
We ended our day with a mono rail ride and then saw a panoramic view of Sydney by night from its tallest building the Sydney tower
So which place made you smile today?
Be grateful for the places that make you smile!
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