… with a fantastic view on the two Australian icons (lovers included) …
[tags]Photography, Sydney, 2007, Travel, Opera House, Harbour Bridge[/tags]
travel / landscapes
Unsually peaceful, especially after a week of worldwide spotlight on this region. The folks have left, while the area remained closed for major clean up. Peace… after the world leaders left. How ironic.
[tags]Photography, Sydney, 2007, Travel, Sydney Harbour, Harbour Bridge[/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…