Those two words don’t seem to really go together – it’s definitely…a unique sensibility. The reason I found this so interesting (interesting enough to sneak photos of people around me without being yelled at) was because of the difference between the blah things people were wearing and the amazing design found in the cities, products and places around them. I’ll show off some of the cool design I ran across soon.
The end of the trip has come. Truly feels like I’ve been away for a long time. While there have been a TON of adventures and experiences on this trip, the best has been meeting my nephew, Jackson Allen.
He is the most adorable baby – so sweet and chill… a tiny peanut of cuteness and love. I enjoyed every second spent with him, watching my mom work her baby magic, smiling at what fantastic parents my sister and Brad are, and taking pictures of all his funny faces.
I expect daily photos until I see him next!
I came to Australia thinking this would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but I am overwhelmingly smitten with this country. I will definitely be back to explore more.
Today I learned (1) how to surf and (2) that I’m not a natural at it. That shit is hard! My instructor TBone 
was really thorough and clear on how to paddle, catch a wave, pop up, wipeout…on shore. I even practiced on the sand – really good at that part. But taking it to the ocean is a totally different story. It’s all about balance; need to pick up some of that when I get back to the States.
Despite all the rinsing and wipeouts, it was so much fun. And, no, no photos of me biting it.
A mild, overcast day means pretty perfect conditions for a boat cruise cum snorkel venture out on the Great Barrier Reef.
Lady Musgrave Island, a 2-hour rocky boat ride from the Town of 1770, was created entirely of dead coral. It was an easy 40-minute walk around the whole thing, stopping to check out all the Black Noddy nests in the Pisonia forest and a few photos at the most picturesque spots.
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is an unbelievable experience. I’ve never seen so many different varieties of coral, with so many different colors. We learned that coral in the cooler south is of a harder variety so not much swaying with the waves but still quite serene. My favorite: a giant mollusk with huge mouth. Its wavy ‘lips’ – which opened and closed in pace with my breathing it seemed – were black, pink, green, blue, purple… Surrounded by all the yellow brain coral and blue stag antler coral, it was a scene I’ll never forget.
Early start for a mini vaca down to the beach in Agnes Water, Queensland, with the entire fam. Though it’s only a 90-minute drive, the ‘highway’ came to a complete halt with a semi laying across the road for a few hours. Why not play a little paddleball while ya wait?
Bush fired forests then lush hillsides pretty much made up the scenic drive until a lunch stop right before arrival at this AMAZING condo: super modern furnishings, a view of the Coral Sea and plenty of time to relax.
The last thing left to do for the day: a walk on the beach followed by dinner at a local outdoor cafe with exceptionally flavorful fish and local burnt caramel ice cream. It’s going to be so so hard to come back to winter in the States.
The hotel just happens to be mere blocks from Kings Wharf ferry station. Awesome way to get to the Opera House tour. Quick trip from harbor, to Harbor Bridge, to harbor.
Sydney Opera House. Kind of wish I got the longer Backstage Tour but since we went on Sunday though our tickets were for Saturday (crap!), were lucky to get a deal on the regular tour.
Just. Friggin. Amazing. The history of the place, the amazing shape it’s in, the design and details of the design, the kinds of shows that take place and a truly hysterical tour guide made it so perfect. There is one music hall with fuchsia chair cushions, rounded seat backs, a 10,000 pipe organ – unreal.
Learned so much about the place. For instance:
- It’s a rental space; the Opera House itself does not plan it’s own shows that last for years. I could rent out a hall for $2,000 for a party; one couple apparently booked one for their divorce party.
- Rather than the original estimates of $7M/3 years, it took $100+M/14 years to build but was paid off in 18 months by the creation of an Opera House Lottery. Aussies LOVE to gamble.
- The design was part of an architectural competition and originally the plans were discarded until Eero Saarinen came to in late, looked through all trashed entries and picked the one.
- There is a huge range of shows that come through – from Opera and ballet, of course, to the Foo Fighters, illusionists and circuses.
The rest of the afternoon included a walk up and on the Harbor Bridge, picnic and street markets in The Rocks neighborhood, quick look through the surprisingly modern Customs House and another meet-up with Elizabeth to see the Recorders exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The exhibit was full of interactive plays on art + technology.
Walked through the massive Royal Botanical Gardens which has a great Herb Garden (I want), roses in full bloom and these ficus trees that make you wonder what the hell those generic office ‘ficus’ are back in the States – these guys are just massive.
Long walk up Crown Street, through East Sydney, Woolloomooloo and Surrey Hills and on to Bill’s for a wagyu burger topped with beet and zucchini pickles. I will now be putting (my own canned) beets on all sandwiches – num num.
A rainy morning makes a perfect museum morning. The Powerhouse Museum is an interesting mix of science and design – also happened to have a Harry Potter exhibit that (1) was sold out the entire day and (2) made it exceedingly child-heavy throughout the building. I survived.
The exhibit of the moment was Spirit of Jang-In, treasures of Korean metal craft. Though photography wasn’t allowed, I managed to sneak a few shots – the intricacy and craftsmanship of the work was truly astounding. Jang-In translates as Artisan, Craftsman or Master; I like it.
The museum also had permanent exhibits on space, chemistry and steam engines – so, yeah, an interesting mix.
FINALLY get to see my lovely friend Elizabeth and her Aussie hubby Garrath! Went for some yum cha (dim sum) at Marigold, a giant red room full of pushy cart ladies, pork dumplings and steamed buns – yes.
More Aussie animals in store at Wildlife World. How this place as 20x more koalas than the Melbourne Zoo, I don’t know. But they were so cute – and babies to boot; aw!
More walking, if you can believe it, until spontaneously fell upon the symphony performing outdoors in The Domain park as part of Sydney Festival. Wish I had a picnic; the champagne and charcuterie around me is inspiring. Note to self: Picnics every Sunday this summer back at home.
