Sydney Harbour at Nightfall

It's winter in Sydney.  The sun sets early.






We made our way back down to the ferry by the sky tram.

The sun would be setting as we took the ferry back to Sydney.  Nice to see it in another setting.

Koalas, Roos, Wallabies (Taronga Zoo 2)

After the bird show we continued walking through the zoo.


We got to a spot where you could walk through and see kangaroos, wallabies and emu up close.

So tell me how you really feel.

It was a lot of fun to be that close, and to actually sit beside a wallaby.














From there we came back to the Koala exhibit.  It was 
feeding time and sure enough they were much more
animated.

Update from Down Under

I have not had quick access to the internet since I went on the exchange.  It has been hard to find wi-fi hotspots.  Unfortunately I have been doing my posts on my iPhone.  My blog app crashed on my iPhone so now I am reentering posts.  I found an Apple store and have stood outside it twice to update my iPhone.  A new purpose to go to the mall.  ( I know some of you would say...."Like I need another reason."  LOL!)  Hopefully my access to wi-fi should be better as I leave the exchange.  All is good - having a great time here in Australia.  One thing for sure, as General McArthur said "I will return!".  Stay tuned for more updates.

Taronga Zoo - 1

Once at the zoo, we took the sky tram up to the entrance.  Again, more great views of the city, as well as some of the animal compounds.

Doesn't look comfortable!

First off we went to the koala exhibit.  There was little action.  The bears were quite dopey and sleeping in the trees.  I honestly don't know how some of them can sleep in the positions they take.  The idea of sleeping with my butt hanging half, or more, out of a tree does nothing for me.  But somehow they do it.  Feeding time was later in the afternoon so we thought we would come back.  Surely they would be more lively then.

This zoo is amazing.  Not only do you see a lot of animals - particularly those indigenous to Australia, you also get more great views across the harbour to the city.  

View from Bird Show

The Bird Show had been recommended by colleagues who were on the exchange.  Again, a location with great views of Sydney.

The birds were beautiful and their performances were amazing....some even hilarious.

A million dollar ride

Took the train in to Circular Quay. Came out on a level with a great view of the Harbour. One I had not seem before.

Walked to the Taronga Zoo ferry. Within a few minutes we were on our way across the harbour looking back at the city.  The view of the Bridge, Opera House and everything else were worth the cost of the whole trip.

Circular Quay, Harbour Bridge and the Opera House

Heading from the Queen Victoria Building we walked up to Hyde Park and continued up toward the harbour.  We saw lots of 'weird looking' birds, interesting trees and flowers.  Oh, and a few weird people too.  (Ooops, did I say that?)
Walked up to Circular Quay and saw the Harbour Bridge.  Continued around to the Opera House.  It is all still so beautiful as before.  We walked around the Opera House to get full advantage of the location.

Of course we poked in to a few of the shops on the Quay.

Time was moving on so we picked up the train to get back to the house.  As a result we got to experience rush hour in Sydney.  Just like any other major centre.

Tourists in Sydney (July 26)

Just after noon we headed out to Sydney on the train.
Walking to the train we stopped at the little sushi stand that I have regularly frequented while here.  Yes, Kaleigh had sushi!  Nothing radical, but sushi....

stained glass in QVB

archway in QVB

We took the train into the centre of Sydney and walked to the Queen Victoria Building.  I love that building.  The design is amazing.  What a great example of restoration of old architecture.  Most stores are out of my league for price range, but it's nice to look... and it does have a Starbucks!


Every shopping mall should look like this!

Two Watsons in Australia (July 26)

Is Australia ready for two of us?  We will find out.
Kaleigh flew in Thursday morning to spend some time in Australia.  What better chance if Dad is here!
I met her at the airport.  Man, that was early.  The plane arrived at 6:15 so I got to see south Sydney and the train system early in the a.m.
By about 6:45 she came through the door into the waiting area.  Let the fun begin.
I had rented a car, so next stop was to pick it up.
Had a lot of issues there although the people were quite helpful.  First of all the reservation did not go through.  Hmmm.  Then the fact that I have forgotten my PIN for my credit card did not help, but we got around it all.
Right hand drive world here we come!  I got to the house safely.  Unfortunately we had to go back to the airport as Kaleigh arrived on one flight, but her suitcase was coming on the next flight.  I made it twice to the airport without issue.

Six Degrees of separation .... Not even! (July 15)

After our walk along the Nepean we stopped in at the Penrith Rowing Club for a drink. While there a friend of Mick's came in. I was introduced to him...a former rugby player and now a sports broadcaster. He, his wife and family were moving to Ireland later in the week. Later Mick said he worked for the BBC. I wondered if he knewy friend Bob, a sportscaster for the BBC. Before leaving I did have the chance to ask my question. Turns out they know each other quite well. They will be seeing each other after the Games.
Sixteen thousand kilometers from home. What are the chances that this would happen? Crazy!

Walking along the Nepean

Soon after arriving in Penrith we went for a wall along the Nepean River. It has quite a history. It has seriously flooded the area a few times over the last hundred plus years. It has been the site of many rowing courses. Just up a few kilometers were the rowing courses for the 2000 Olympics.
Crossing the Nepean was significant in Australian history. It was from here Australian explorers set out to the interior.

Being the tourist 4

In the Botanical Gardens I walked up to Mrs. Mcquarrie's chair. Then down through a Japanese garden.
I ended up at Government House. By now the sun was behind many of the buildings and it was getting cool.
I continued walking south to Hyde Park. Many weddings were there for photos. I also saw the ANZAC war memorial.
Along the way I also saw The Nee South Wales State Library.
While I wanted to continue on I decide to head home to rest, etc. I could always return later at night.

Being the tourist - 3

From the Opera House I walked along the bay to the Royal Botanical Gardens. It was lovely out. Many people were out walking. Others were sitting or lying on grass. It reminded me of a warm, early spring day in Toronto, but it was mid-winter, sunny and 19C!
Walked by Watson's Bay, up to a point which gave great views back to the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. At times as I walked through the park it was hard to remember I was in a large urban centre. I often made comparisons to Stanley Park in Vancouver.
At one point I saw lorrikeets. They were very tame eating right out of people's hands. I heard they were around and this was the first time seeing them in a more natural setting.

Being the tourist - 2

Walking along the Quay further I saw the Sydney Opera House. I really am in Sydney! What an impressive place. That roof is amazing. What I found intriguing was the tile inlays in the roof. What a beautiful setting! Right on the Harbour with the bridge behind.

Being the tourist(Sat.) - 1

Sydney awaits!
Being the tourist today.
Took the train in to Circular Quay. Got out! What an amazing site. Sydney Harbour in front. To the left of me was the Harbour Bridge. Lots of people!
Walking along the quay saw a busker swallowing a balloon. Don't ask me where it went. I don't want to know!

The Exchange Begins (Sun.)

Off to the St. George's Rowing Club. It's the meeting place for the exchange. It was good to see the Ontario folks again. Got to meet my exchange partner...a great guy, Mick Kelly. We talked lots. Had some good laughs. Sat outside on a deck in the lovely winter weather. Sunny and 19C. Also a group here from Essex, England and one from Alberta.

Heading out (Fri. p.m.)

How can you let jet lag hold you down? By early afternoon we were heading to the centre of Sydney. Went to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB). What an architectural beauty! I love the classic look. What a great way to keep a heritage building.
On one level a cellist was playing music. Very civilized and soothing for shoppers.
Hope to be back there before I leave. Mind you the stores tend to be a little upscale for me.

Sydney - first impressions

Okay, I have to remember this is a land of right-hand drive.  More than ever I have to look both ways before I cross the street.  Don't want to be an Australian hood ornament.  From my observations Sydney drivers are quite aggressive so becoming a hood ornament  is not that remote.
The train system is really quite efficient.  In many ways it reminds me of New York's system in function and in scope.  You can easily get most anywhere in the metropolitan area and beyond quite easily.  Too bad we have not followed that same direction in Toronto.
Went by train into the Central Business District (CBD) which I want to call downtown.  Walked around.
While the temperature says spring or summer, the sun set early so it is winter.

So this is winter?

At long last land was sighted.  At last!  Sixteen hours in a plane is a long time.  At one point I wondered.  I wanted to get out of my seat go for a walk and get some fresh air.  Hmmm.

We flew in over the east coast of Australia around Sydney.  Looking out below you could see nice stretches of beach.  I had an aerial, but distant view of Sydney.

View of Sydney from air

It was a bit cloudy and cool when we landed, however, that was short-lived.  The temperature got to 23C and it was sunny!  People were out in shorts.  This is winter?  Gotta love it.  Given, apparently this was about 3 to 4C above normal.  But still.... this is mid-winter.  Makes last winter in Toronto look sad.

Where did that day go?

Okay! Time flies when you have fun! I have seen days vapourize, but..... July 12 hardly was. It existed for a few hours over the Pacific. Before I knew it, it was Friday, the thirteenth.  Could I say that day was a 'write off'?

Some firsts!

(Written somewhere south-west of Hawaii.) Just nicely over half way! Gulp! Only?
Ever since we flew over Hawaii each mile further travelled is a mile travelled further west for me.
According to the navigation system in the back of the seat in front of me we are about to cross the Equator. Definitely my furthest point ever south. Definitely meaning I will be downunder.
As well, we will soon cross the International Date Line. Today will be yeaterday. Yesterday will be the day before. Tomorrow will be today.
Confused? Somewhere near 0*, 180*.

Unexpected inspiration!

This afternoon, as my last official work responsibility before leaving on my trip, I was part of a construction walk through at school. I did not need the hassle as I was running to get ready to fly. However I am so glad I went. I had not been in parts of the worksite for a long while. The last time I was in the gym it was open to the sky. It could have easily been a planetarium.
Today when I walked into the gym I was caught in a wave of emotion. The vision was becoming a reality. All the issues of construction (dust, dirt, noise, false fire alarms, evacuations, etc. ) were seemingly worth it as I looked around.
It was an inspirational high to leave on. Here's hoping the pace of work continues and I feel the same when I return from Australia, and in September.

Back wall of Gym

New Kindergarten Room

All wired up!

Sitting in the waiting area for my flight. Relaxing and taking a breath finally. And thinking....
What a wired world we live in! Gotta love this i-connected world.
My daughter is up north. My son is in Toronto. I am off to Australia. Friends and family are here in Canada and the US. More in Europe and Australia. We are all connected. Within seconds a message can be relayed around the world! It brings us all closer. Gone are the days of taking a letter a week to cross the country or longer to go to another continent.
Here's to a Blackberry-free holiday. Left that little puppy at home. But still connected.

One day to go!

One day left to go!  That's it!  Just one day!

Getting things done.  My to-do list is still getting longer. 

Need to pack!

Where's my passport?  Where's my Aussie money?

Before I know it, tomorrow will be here!

Work is still busy.  A meeting this morning.  A meeting tomorrow afternoon.  Filing is done.  A few other things remain.  Thankfully the weather is cooler so working in the Office is more tolerable.

Tomorrow evening, I will be off to see the sights of Australia.

Maple Syrup and Kitsch and Shopping!

Been to the Dollar Store to buy "Canadian stuff' most likely made in China.  

Got some maple syrup...the only request of my host.  No Aunt Jemima stuff from this boy.  Has to be the real McCoy.  Thanks to Meghan my personal shopper, and Ryan my delivery service.  Just don't want to weigh down my suitcase too much.
Got a couple of books by Michael Fullan to share some professional reading.  
What would getting for a trip be without shopping.  Did a little cross-border run on the weekend.  Now I have some pants that actually fit!