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Ok, I know this is supposed to be a business blog, but damn, we need to have fun too right? Was watching the US Open this morning. After Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Moya, he did an Oscar winning impersonation of Sharapova and Nadal upon the request of the interviewer. It’s abit too fresh now, I can’t find that video on Youtube yet. While searching, I found this gem instead… it’s so darn funny!!!:P
[tags]Tennis, MTV, Sharapova, Federer, Youtube[/tags]
A little something I heard off the news a few days back,
A conversation between Bush and his secretary,
Bush: Can you please check who is the Chinese president?
Sec: Hu…
Bush: yes, who?
Sec: Hu…
Bush: Hu?
Sec: Yes Sir.
Bush: I thought Yasser is from Palastine?
That cracked me up abit. These aussie news programmes can be quite mean at times:P Well, it’s a joke, take it easy yah:)
The Sydney Fortress
Didn’t realized APEC was on over this week until I arrived. Over the past week, the city’s security was significantly beefed up and a huge fence was erected from the area where the VVVVIP were staying to the Opera House where the summit will be held. Police were also deployed all over city to step up security. Even alot of dustbins were sealed, yes with police tapes and all to, presumably to reduce chances of bomb attacks.
Here are some images,
Intercontinental Hotel (the background), which houses some of the most important people for this summit, including Mr. Bush. The fence covered all roads leading to the hotel, including those to the Opera House. Snipers were also deployed on some rooftops of nearby buildings.
The fence stretches across the roads at Circular Quay. Traffic were diverted, including buses.
A wharf at Circular Quay. Nothing to do with APEC, but after looking at all the barricades and security fences, can’t help but take a shot at another. Ferry services were also changed or disrupted for security reasons.
An onlooker watching the dozens of helicopters that circled the city constantly, while the sounds of their whirring rotors resonate throughout the entire city. (can’t they use helis with more rotor blades?)
I think most travelers here are like me, not knowing the inconveniences, especially when the Opera House is being blocked for the rest of the week. People were seen taking photos through the fence, some even approached the guards and asked them to help them with the pictures. Should’ve just engaged a photographer there:P
Here’s the end of my little update on APEC 2007. Pity I’m too sick to walk out of the house today, else I think it’d be interesting to catch some demonstration today before the full blown one tomorrow. Read the news the expected turnout is about 5000 – 10000 people. Sounds like a big party to me! I shall be patient, tomorrow I’ll go have a look:)
[tags]Photography, Sydney, 2007, APEC, Opera House, Travel, Security[/tags]
[tags]Photography, Sydney, 2007, Travel, Watsons Bay, The Gap[/tags]
Some photos taken from Double Bay after I accidentally (ok, I was blur) got off the wrong stop. While walking near the beach, I saw these colorful bottoms (or tops) of these small boats, stacked up along the beach. From this angle, I can’t help but wonder if the designer of the Opera House was inspired by this… or maybe was me who’s inspired by the Opera House:)
The Opera House inspired photo
A sneak peak on the Jetty
[tags]Photography, Sydney, 2007, Double Bay, Opera House, Travel[/tags]
After spending hours and hours in the cold and wind, my body finally put up the white flag. So today it’s rest day, no outings, no shopping, camera takes a break. Over the past 1 week, my body has been acting up on me. First, my legs, then my eyes, now everything just refuse to work. Few days back, I kept having the same irritation on my left eye (the one that remnants of a bug flew into 2 weeks ago). After it went away, some unknown particle got stuck on my right pupil after wearing my contacts and worst of all, I couldn’t get it out. But after one night’s sleep, it got dislodge on it’s own. I remembered worrying if I won’t be able to see the next day… so I slept late that night. Today is Friday, a public holiday for the guys working in the City due to APEC and also a rest day for me:)
Should’ve just stayed home yesterday to watch how Federer beat Roddick, I heard it’s a really good game. Manly beach was disappointing, for half an hour’s boat ride, go Bondi instead or Avoca if distance is not an issue. Weather was crap with rain and wind all the time. Weather was really good before Bush came… Alright, I know, it’s not related…:P
Will get some photos up in a while…
Another day of good food. First, I had super duper fresh Grilled Barramundi at Sydney Fish Market. Now I’m thinking I should have lunch there everyday. There are so many things to try, from lobsters, oysters to calamari… everything looks fresh out of water!
Later in the afternoon I took a few ferry rides all over, from Pyrmont to Balmian to Neutral Bay, where I had tea at Thelma and Louise (recommended by Elaine). Located right at the jetty, the view’s pretty nice (although the weather sucks). I must say, the cakes are AWESOME!! Never been a fan of chocolate mudpies… but the ones they make will turn anyone into a fan.
The evening was again spent around the harbour getting more photos from different angles. This time round, from areas in north Sydney, Kirribili and Milson’s Point. It was frustrating with intermittent rain and gazillion amount of helicopters and patrol boats circling the area. But overall, I got some satisfactory results:) Dinner was at “Grace in India” at Milson’s Point. I went in because they had a handwritten testimony from John Howard (PM of Australia), saying their good is excellent. True enough, they didn’t disappoint:)
The location where I had dinner is in the same area where Bush was having his dinner, presumeably at the PM’s residence in Kirribili I think. Maybe that’s the reason why there were so many patrol crafts around that area. I’ll talk about this in another entry. Here are 2 photos from today’s evening session:)
The Harbour Bridge from Kirribili.
The Sydney Harbour from Milson’s Point. If you see the light trails, they are from the helicopters, especially those hovering around the left of the Opera House.
[tags]Photography, Travel, Sydney, Sydney Harbour, Harbour Bridge, Opera House, 2007, Kirrbili, Milson’s Point[/tags]
Today’s last minute itinarary took me to Watson’s Bay. Woke up late, nuah-ed in the bed for quite some time, glued my eyes to the internet… etc. By the time I got out of the house, it was already past 1pm. Figured no point going to Fish market, so I decided on Watson’s Bay.
The last time I went there, I didn’t even know the cliff was right behind me, thinking there’s nothing, I took a bus back. This time round, abit smarter, I did some research and found photos, so I know what to expect. But then, as usual, the topo king in me struck again. Instead of alighting at Watson’s Bay by ferry, I got off at Double Bay instead. Realised I made a mistake only when the ferry left. Damn, spent another hour sitting by the beach area, admiring the expensive houses that lined the beach area. I remembered mentally pointing to one of the houses… “I want my office THERE!”:P
Finally I got to Watson’s Bay, thinking I can have late lunch at Doyles, but lunch is only till 3pm. So I went on with my walk round The Gap national park. Luckily I put on some weight over the past few weeks, else the wind would’ve blown me out to the Pacific ocean. Walking along the trail reminds me of the Great Ocean Road (sama sama… all rocks and cliff:P). Started raining when I thought the light was the nicest. Screw the nice light, I went for some of the best grilled fish I’ve had at Doyles. It’s expensive, but it’s worth it. Check the portion before ordering… although I finished everything, but I think it’s for 2 pax. They even have their own beer! Which, imho, is pretty good.
Generally, photo opportunity not that great at the Gap’s trail because of all the protective barriers, and being vertically challenged (as what Mr. Brown would put it), I found it really difficult to get some decent angles. Anyway, here are some of my takes today.
View from The Gap. Like our NDP floating platform?
Beachfront view, taken just outside Doyles. With this kind of view, how not to be expensive (the houses)?
[tags]Photography, Sydney, Watsons Bay, 2007, Travel, Doyles, The Gap, Double Bay[/tags]
