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]

Yesterday was spent around the Opera House area, not because I like it so much, but I couldn’t walk any further. Nevermind, there’s always tomorrow. My legs seem better now:) More walking tomorrow… to get rid of the rest of the dozen of KKs inside me.

Here are some photos taken around the Opera House. The area will be closed from public from today onwards till 10th due to APEC, where “21 GREAT LEADERS will meet in ONE GREAT CITY” (that’s what it says on the posters) and will hole up in the Opera House. Bush is included as well, although I’m not sure who he’s representing. I heard there will be demonstrations and protests as usual. Will check it out tomorrow.

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Saturday went past really quickly. Had dim sum with sis and hubby, then dinner with her in-laws. In between, we managed to visit some markets nearby and also visited the first Krispy Kreme outlet in Sydney, located near Blackwood. I heard people from other parts of Sydney used to drive hours just to grab a few dozen back. To keep up with tradition, I got myself a dozen as well:) That pretty much summed up a lazy Saturday. Had some nice night activities before heading for bed:)

Starting my running routine today after coming back from injury (from last sunday’s soccer) was a bad idea. After the run, I felt a little strain on my knee. By the time I was done with my exterior tour of Opera House, I could hardly walk. Cut short my City tour and went back home to nurse my sore knee. I think I’ll have to stay home tomorrow till it gets better, no more running for the rest of the trip.

Here are some photos from Friday… more to come tomorrow since I’ll be home, replying emails… editing, etc.  Finally, the Harbour Bridge (why is this bridge so famous?),

 

 

 

As mentioned in my previous post, there’s just no way I can get the bridge into the frame:) So I saw it my own way. Here are more from today’s trip. I just hope I won’t need to carry so much for the next few days… it’s abit tough on my aging body… uncle already leh (maybe not, since he won’t call me till he can talk… buying a few more months of “youth”:P).

 

 

2nd day in Sydney, and waking up the usual time (about 930am + 2 hours time difference = 1130am), I knew the merger has to happen, lunch bought over breakfast. Headed for City right after that, knowing that I probably won’t have plenty of time left before it gets dark.

Sydney hasn’t changed much from 3 years back. The harbour bridge is still there, so is the opera house and the millions of tourists armed with cameras, just like me (I thought I’d look strange with my huge camera… but realized everyone else is holding a HUGE camera!!). After walking for almost 2 hours, I still couldn’t find a good spot to get both the harbour bridge and opera house in the same frame while looking reasonably proportionate in size. I know Mrs Macquarie’s chair, but the view didn’t excite me 3 years ago, and I’m sure it won’t this time round.

After looking around The Rock for a while, I decided to go back to the bridge area, hoping to get inspired, in fact, was desperate for pictures already, even dropped by Ken Duncan’s gallery to get some tips. Finally settled on a spot near a restaurant called Water Edge. It has everything I want but also everything strategically placed to block a photographer’s view. After the sun went down, things took a turn as the lighting condition changed and the original boring looking scene now looks photo worthy:) 130secs (just enough time to send an sms) later, I got this shot:)

On the way back, determined not to have Macdonald’s 2 days in a row, I tried Sushi at Town Hall train station. That must be the WORST sushi I’ve ever had. Imagine Lontong with prawns and salmon… After that, I found Krispy Kremes… the most expensive donuts I’ve ever had, AUD$5 for 2. But it’s worth every cent:) At least I didn’t end the day with some crappy meal.

[tags]Photography, Sydney, 2007, Opera House, Harbour Bridge[/tags]

First day was great! Because I slept from 10am to 3pm… waking up to find that… the light here makes everything beautiful. Weather was great at about 20degC. I took extremely late lunch, ok I promise, I won’t do that again. Instead of my original plan to go to the city, I decided to take a walk at the park with my sis. It was nice and relaxing, no rush, no hurry while we waited for my bro-in-law’s call to bring us out for dinner.

We ended up at Bondi beach area to try out the “world renowned” (I’m took this from the menu) pork ribs from Hurricane. As the name suggested, it really blew us away. So tasty that I finished a full slab on my own… it’s about the size of 1.5 times A4 paper (and I don’t mean the thickness). Only if they served non-aussie beer… (the first steps to fatten myself up!)

Here are some random images…