Sydney snippets… 3 day roundup, Art, Architecture and Gardens…

We have settled in to our Airbnb accommodation in Bondi Junction, our hostess, Shona, has welcomed us like one of the family.

Our Airbnb accommodation.

It is only a 10 minute walk to the railway station and from there, with a $2-50 senior pass, Sydney is at our beck and call.

The weather has been perfect so here is a roundup of what we have done in 3 days…

First a visit to the NSW Art Gallery. Can you see Jack?

A hall full of classic art

This picture is one of my favourites

Groups of school children are being shown to appreciate art

Beautiful still life

A close up shows the juice dripping from the oyster.

It can be very tiring being a tourist

After a morning absorbed with the beauty of art it was time for lunch.

Across the road in the Domain is the Domain Kiosk.

A favourite place for lunch

Now to immerse myself in the beauty of nature.

Follow me into the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney

I have over 100 photos, the light was superb for photography, so I have many more to show you at a future date.

Suddenly from a blue sky a summer storm passed over. Torrential rain for 10 minutes and every one ran for cover under the huge, spreading Morton Bay Fig trees.

It past as quickly as it came.

No visit to Sydney is complete with out walking past these 2 icons.

Day 2 was again perfect weather so this time we visit another favourite, the Chinese Gardens at Darling Harbour.

These gardens are in the heart of Sydney

We had lunch in the garden Restaurant and then spent hours wandering around, sitting, sketching and enjoying the peace and tranquillity of these beautiful gardens.

Leaving the Chinese Gardens we walk through Darling Harbour to catch a ferry round to Circular Quay.

Joyful sculpture of dancing Brolgas

Walking in the sun

Playing chess

Just relaxing with the birds

Just finished a game of table tennis

 On the way we pass under the “Old Coat-hanger”

Cruise liner in port

In Circular Quay we see this cruise liner tied up. This is not the one we are going on but I imagine ours will also be this big.

Day 3 we take a train to Surry Hills and wander around the galleries and interesting boutique style shops.

Then catching another bus we search out the UTS (Sydney university of technology) to see the Frank Gehry designed building. I will do another post about this amazing building, but will just give you a preview of the building here.

We have walked miles and our legs feel at least 6 inches shorter. We have one more day before we join our cruise to New Zealand. So this will be my last post for about 2 weeks. I will miss visiting you all and will probably have internet withdrawal symptoms.

By the way Jude, you may notice quite a number of benches scattered around…

  

 

Final look at Sydney, left the best till last…

I could not leave Sydney without mentioning that endearing symbol the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Opened in 1932. That was the year Jack was born and he has a real affection for the old “coat hanger” as it is affectionately called.

It can be seen from all parts of the city. As you wander around town it will suddenly pop up from among the glass towers. But the best place to see it is along the foreshore at Darling Harbour and from the Rocks. Framed by Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, and nestled on the edge of breathtaking Sydney Harbour, The Rocks offers an unrivalled blend of the old and new. This historic area has the bridge rearing over the top of it.

Seen from the Rocks

As we walk around Darling Harbour Jack takes a photo of the bridge as the early morning tourists order breakfast.

The cruise ship dwarfs the bridge as we walk along Darling Harbour and into the Rocks area

 

Market day

Market day

It is weekend and the colourful Rock’s markets are on. We wander through the varied and interesting stalls and then round into the historic part of the Rocks where the original dwellings  have now been renovated into attractive and expensive homes.

The Rocks are also renowned for their cafes and restaurants

Sydney’s oldest pub

This is an area that you must explore on foot. Really a week was not long enough to really see all Sydney has to offer, but we have been here before and we will certainly be back again in the future.

 

Pets and Other Things Spotted on Darling Harbour : Michelle’s Weekly Pet Challenge

Pets in push chairs

As we wandered around Darling Harbour I had to take a closer look at these cute little dogs.

Ideal subjects for Michelle’s Weekly Pet challenge

They certainly did look hot and tired and in need of a ride in this wheel chair.

I think they were also enjoying the 2 buskers behind them…

Darling Harbour is a vibrant part of Sydney’s water front. The café culture and restaurants provide plenty of variety and places to rest be revived and watch and listen to the different buskers.

A boy joins in with the sculptured dance of the jabirus

These are just some of the 27 Santa’s that walk on water.

 The Harbour Bridge can be seen from all parts of the harbour, but it is dwarfed by the huge cruise ship.

But take a closer look and you can see the tiny stick figures, like ants crawling along the top of the bridge. These are the intrepid bridge walkers, they give you an idea of the true size of this enormous structure.

It certainly is a modern master piece of engineering.

So on that note I will leave you. I am going to explore the Rocks area next, under the bridge, and take a look at the markets. But that will be another post and another day.

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This started off as “Michelle’s Weekly Pet Challenge” but I couldn’t resist sneaking in some more views of Sydney. I hope you enjoyed a stroll around Darling Harbour.