A VERY Busy Two Days
Sorry for the lapse in posts - we have been very, very busy exploring Sydney since we returned from Queensland on Tuesday. Here is a recap of some of the things we did:
Tuesday:
After arriving in Sydney a little passed midday on Tuesday we caught a cab back to my house and set right in planning out the rest of the trip. Before the flight debacle, I had planned to take Rebecca and Jason over to Woolloomooloo for lunch and then a wander around the eastern side of the city. After sorting out the rest of the things we wanted to do, we decided to continue with that course of action, though on a slightly delayed schedule.
We walked from my place to Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf via Central, Pitt Street through downtown, and Hyde Park, passing many minor points of interest that I had picked up from my time working for the Sydney. By the time we arrived at the wharf, around 3:00, we were very ready for lunch (which was the intention). The intended destination - the original location of Harry's Cafe de Wheels, a Sydney icon for meat pies since World War II, located at the Finger Wharf next to the naval base (contributing to its success following the war).
Jason and I both opted for the "Tiger" - the signature dish named for Harry (who went by "The Tiger"). The Tiger is a meat pie topped with a huge serving of mash(ed potatoes) and mushy peas with a healthy ladle of gravy for good measure. The towering creation is served on a tiny paper plate, and it took quite a bit of effort to keep the gravy contained on the top; as I ate it there was a constant struggle with the fork to maintain the green and white mushed and mashed dam which held the tiny brown reservoir back. Ultimately, I succeeded and there was nothing left but an empty plate and a satisfied stomach. For more info pop on over to http://www.harryscafedewheels.com.au/Home.aspx?element=1&category=1.
From Woolloomooloo we climbed up to Potts Point for views of the Harbour before wending our way through Elizabeth Bay (stopping by the eponymous house) on the way to Kings Cross. We passed many sites along the way, but to hear about them and see them it is best if you come to Sydney (don't worry, you aren't missing too much - they are just small items of interest scattered throughout the neighborhoods I have explored through my work with the city). We stopped at the big Coke sign in the heart of Kings Cross for a few pictures before walking down Williams Street back into the city. On the walk we ran into one of my co-workers, Andrea - I never expected to run into someone on a Sydney street that I know!
At the bottom of Williams Street we turned and walked up to the Cathedral on our way to the Domain. As the sun started sinking in the sky, we hurried past the Art Museum of New South Wales and into the Botanic Gardens. We didn't have much time (no time) to explore as we hurried to the shore along the Harbour on the other side of the park before the gates closed (promptly at 5:30). We made it across the park and down the massive hill to catch the sun dip behingdthe Harbour Bridge. It was gorgeous, and the fast walk through the expansive park made me realize I need to devote a day to the Royal Botanical Gardens at a later date.
We hightailed it through the park as dusk turned to dark and 5:30 loomed. With only a minute or so to spare we made it out the gates of the park on the city side - I'll say it was planned that way as we were then able to spend the next fifteen minutes recovering from our unplanned jog at the Conservatory of Music (run by Sydney Uni) at the edge of the park.
Finally, we headed back to my place through downtown, stopping to get Tim Tams (13 boxes - I think Jason and Rebecca will be the largest importers into the US at the end of this journey) at the Coles at World Square. When we got home and set down the groceries we ordered pizza from Eagle Boys. The Aussie bacon and egg turned out to be enjoyed by everyone - hey America, it sounds like odd things to put on a pizza, but you should get on it!
Jason and Rebecca turned in for the night, exhausted from travelling and covering at least 15 km (over 9 miles!!!) in Sydney. I had to stay up and do some work for architecture, finally turning in around 2:00 or so.
Wednesday:
Our original intent for Wednesday was to go to North Sydney and Taronga Zoo, but after much deliberation (and a check of the forecast for the week ahead) we decided to head to the Eastern Suburbs for a day at the beach(es). It was a beautiful, warm (hot in the sun) day, but we still got some odd looks as we passed Sydneysiders bundled in pea coats and scarves in our shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops (called thongs in Australia - but I figured I wouldn't confuse you with that off the bat). We caught the train at Redfern to Bondi Junction, and then the 333 bus to Campbell Parade along Bondi Beach to begin our journey.
The day's walk took us from Bondi, along the top of the cliffs which I climbed on my first day in Sydney, to Tamarama Beach. With many stops for pictures along the way (the views are indescribably amazing - check for a new album soon) we then made our way to Bronte Beach. After a reapplication of sunscreen, we headed away from the beach (at the urging of our guide book) to find the Bronte House and accompanying waterfall in Bronte Gully which drains from the hills above to flow out towards the beach. Around 1:00 we stopped to pick up lunch at the cafes which line the bottom of the hill along the beach. Jason and Rebecca got sandwiches, while I got fish and chips (which turned out to be a massive portion), and we rendezvoused on a shady hill overlooking the beach to eat our purchases.
After lunch we continued walking south along the cliffs as the got higher and higher above the Pacific, following the path of the old tram line that served the beaches from the city in the 1920s. When the tram line cuts inland, we ended up in Waverley Cemetery - established in 1877, it cascades off the cliffs and hills toward the coast and is one of the most beautiful cemeteries I have ever seen. Finally, we made our way out onto a massive plateau which stands hundreds of feet above the ocean at Clovelly. We took many pictures and then trekked down off the cliff to the beach. I found a bus stop as I had a 4:00 tutorial to go to, and left Jason and Rebecca to explore the beaches and enjoy the afternoon sun.
I caught the 339 to Central and was provided with an entertaining ride along the way. The driver, a trainee, was being evaluated by a Sydney Transit official who made little quips as the driver made rookie mistakes along the route. It didn't help (as the official admitted) that we were on one of the oldest buses (over 30 years old) in the entire 2100+ bus fleet. Regardless, I made it back to Central (though on the Surry Hills side) and then walked the 25 minutes or so home (with a cut through the main hall of the train station). I rested a few minutes and then headed to class.
The tutorial was very interesting - about slavery in the days leading up to the Civil War - and I got to participate in quite an engaging discussion that went on for the good part of an hour. I was a bit sad to hear that I missed the lecture on Tuesday as our professor asked if anyone knew the pledge of allegiance, and no one in the 300-person lecture did... After twelve years of public school education, and one year doing the announcements, I could no doubt recite it in my sleep.
When I got home from class after 6:00, Jason and Rebecca were already back. We proceeded to make dinner of spaghetti with sausage, garlic bread, and salad. After cleaning up, we got changed to head over to the Friend in Hand Hotel, a pub in Glebe which Jason's friend had said was a must on a Wednesday night; the draw? Crab racing. Sadly, the State of Origin (the rugby grudge match between New South Wales and Queensland) trumped the crustacean entertainment, but we had a fantastic time sipping a pint and watching the footy (as they call it).
At halftime we headed home because I had work to do, and while Jason and Rebecca watched the rest of the game (Queensland won - extending the record to six years running), I settled in for a night of architecture. I went to bed around 3:00 and headed to studio just after 7:00. I had a productive day in studio, but have a lot of work ahead of me in the next two weeks before review!
Tonight Jason went out to dinner with Jimmy and Rebecca and I went to Oporto and did some shopping at Coles. The rest of the evening has been devoted to balancing our budget and updating the blog...
I know a lot got posted at once, so good for you for getting to this point!
The weather hasn't really been cooperating, and it doesn't appear as though we will have much luck with outdoor activities tomorrow - we shall see what the day holds.
Tuesday:
After arriving in Sydney a little passed midday on Tuesday we caught a cab back to my house and set right in planning out the rest of the trip. Before the flight debacle, I had planned to take Rebecca and Jason over to Woolloomooloo for lunch and then a wander around the eastern side of the city. After sorting out the rest of the things we wanted to do, we decided to continue with that course of action, though on a slightly delayed schedule.
We walked from my place to Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf via Central, Pitt Street through downtown, and Hyde Park, passing many minor points of interest that I had picked up from my time working for the Sydney. By the time we arrived at the wharf, around 3:00, we were very ready for lunch (which was the intention). The intended destination - the original location of Harry's Cafe de Wheels, a Sydney icon for meat pies since World War II, located at the Finger Wharf next to the naval base (contributing to its success following the war).
 |
| Harry's Cafe de Wheels at Woolloomooloo. |
From Woolloomooloo we climbed up to Potts Point for views of the Harbour before wending our way through Elizabeth Bay (stopping by the eponymous house) on the way to Kings Cross. We passed many sites along the way, but to hear about them and see them it is best if you come to Sydney (don't worry, you aren't missing too much - they are just small items of interest scattered throughout the neighborhoods I have explored through my work with the city). We stopped at the big Coke sign in the heart of Kings Cross for a few pictures before walking down Williams Street back into the city. On the walk we ran into one of my co-workers, Andrea - I never expected to run into someone on a Sydney street that I know!
At the bottom of Williams Street we turned and walked up to the Cathedral on our way to the Domain. As the sun started sinking in the sky, we hurried past the Art Museum of New South Wales and into the Botanic Gardens. We didn't have much time (no time) to explore as we hurried to the shore along the Harbour on the other side of the park before the gates closed (promptly at 5:30). We made it across the park and down the massive hill to catch the sun dip behingdthe Harbour Bridge. It was gorgeous, and the fast walk through the expansive park made me realize I need to devote a day to the Royal Botanical Gardens at a later date.
We hightailed it through the park as dusk turned to dark and 5:30 loomed. With only a minute or so to spare we made it out the gates of the park on the city side - I'll say it was planned that way as we were then able to spend the next fifteen minutes recovering from our unplanned jog at the Conservatory of Music (run by Sydney Uni) at the edge of the park.
Finally, we headed back to my place through downtown, stopping to get Tim Tams (13 boxes - I think Jason and Rebecca will be the largest importers into the US at the end of this journey) at the Coles at World Square. When we got home and set down the groceries we ordered pizza from Eagle Boys. The Aussie bacon and egg turned out to be enjoyed by everyone - hey America, it sounds like odd things to put on a pizza, but you should get on it!
Jason and Rebecca turned in for the night, exhausted from travelling and covering at least 15 km (over 9 miles!!!) in Sydney. I had to stay up and do some work for architecture, finally turning in around 2:00 or so.
Wednesday:
Our original intent for Wednesday was to go to North Sydney and Taronga Zoo, but after much deliberation (and a check of the forecast for the week ahead) we decided to head to the Eastern Suburbs for a day at the beach(es). It was a beautiful, warm (hot in the sun) day, but we still got some odd looks as we passed Sydneysiders bundled in pea coats and scarves in our shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops (called thongs in Australia - but I figured I wouldn't confuse you with that off the bat). We caught the train at Redfern to Bondi Junction, and then the 333 bus to Campbell Parade along Bondi Beach to begin our journey.
The day's walk took us from Bondi, along the top of the cliffs which I climbed on my first day in Sydney, to Tamarama Beach. With many stops for pictures along the way (the views are indescribably amazing - check for a new album soon) we then made our way to Bronte Beach. After a reapplication of sunscreen, we headed away from the beach (at the urging of our guide book) to find the Bronte House and accompanying waterfall in Bronte Gully which drains from the hills above to flow out towards the beach. Around 1:00 we stopped to pick up lunch at the cafes which line the bottom of the hill along the beach. Jason and Rebecca got sandwiches, while I got fish and chips (which turned out to be a massive portion), and we rendezvoused on a shady hill overlooking the beach to eat our purchases.
After lunch we continued walking south along the cliffs as the got higher and higher above the Pacific, following the path of the old tram line that served the beaches from the city in the 1920s. When the tram line cuts inland, we ended up in Waverley Cemetery - established in 1877, it cascades off the cliffs and hills toward the coast and is one of the most beautiful cemeteries I have ever seen. Finally, we made our way out onto a massive plateau which stands hundreds of feet above the ocean at Clovelly. We took many pictures and then trekked down off the cliff to the beach. I found a bus stop as I had a 4:00 tutorial to go to, and left Jason and Rebecca to explore the beaches and enjoy the afternoon sun.
I caught the 339 to Central and was provided with an entertaining ride along the way. The driver, a trainee, was being evaluated by a Sydney Transit official who made little quips as the driver made rookie mistakes along the route. It didn't help (as the official admitted) that we were on one of the oldest buses (over 30 years old) in the entire 2100+ bus fleet. Regardless, I made it back to Central (though on the Surry Hills side) and then walked the 25 minutes or so home (with a cut through the main hall of the train station). I rested a few minutes and then headed to class.
The tutorial was very interesting - about slavery in the days leading up to the Civil War - and I got to participate in quite an engaging discussion that went on for the good part of an hour. I was a bit sad to hear that I missed the lecture on Tuesday as our professor asked if anyone knew the pledge of allegiance, and no one in the 300-person lecture did... After twelve years of public school education, and one year doing the announcements, I could no doubt recite it in my sleep.
When I got home from class after 6:00, Jason and Rebecca were already back. We proceeded to make dinner of spaghetti with sausage, garlic bread, and salad. After cleaning up, we got changed to head over to the Friend in Hand Hotel, a pub in Glebe which Jason's friend had said was a must on a Wednesday night; the draw? Crab racing. Sadly, the State of Origin (the rugby grudge match between New South Wales and Queensland) trumped the crustacean entertainment, but we had a fantastic time sipping a pint and watching the footy (as they call it).
At halftime we headed home because I had work to do, and while Jason and Rebecca watched the rest of the game (Queensland won - extending the record to six years running), I settled in for a night of architecture. I went to bed around 3:00 and headed to studio just after 7:00. I had a productive day in studio, but have a lot of work ahead of me in the next two weeks before review!
Tonight Jason went out to dinner with Jimmy and Rebecca and I went to Oporto and did some shopping at Coles. The rest of the evening has been devoted to balancing our budget and updating the blog...
I know a lot got posted at once, so good for you for getting to this point!
The weather hasn't really been cooperating, and it doesn't appear as though we will have much luck with outdoor activities tomorrow - we shall see what the day holds.
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