Farewell For Now

Well you probably would have noticed a lack of updates lately. I have spent some time thinking about this blog and what it will be in 2015. I have decided to broaden the blog and make it include more comment on society.  I started to think that the name of the blog would not really reflect the content, so I have started a new blog:

Two Steps Forward

http://twostepsforwardsydney.blogspot.com.au/

I will still add all the things I love about Sydney in the new blog. The new blog will also discuss music, news, things that bug me and general comments on life.

See you there

Michael

Move over Vivid - Christmas Lights in the city

#Sydney #Christmas .

Well now that Christmas has been done and dusted it is a good chance to look back at some of the cool Christmas lights that have been put up over the city of Sydney.  The warm nights and extended daylight mean that coming out after dark in Christmas time is pleasant and safe – as long as the thunderstorms don’t get you. Here are some highlights from my trips into the city:

Town Hall

The Town Hall was all lit up this year showing a variety of scenes that are shown upon it. It is hard to  photograph with busy George Street in front of it, but you can definitely get a feeling for how spectacular it is.

Martin Place

The usual tree was lit up in the western site of Martin Place with its big colour changing bulbs. Kids can line up and take turns in changing the colours from the switch  board. There was also a light display from the small building outside the MLC centre making its debut this Christmas.

St Mary’s Church

St Mary’s is the crowd drawer showing the 12 Days of Christmas and the Christmas story on the front of the church on the hour from eight. I bet the local residents would go insane – thankfully I can hear it once and then be on my merry way. This is becoming a Christmas tradition now been done for the last few years. We may not get the snow, but Australia can put on a good light show.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Reflecting on a tragedy

#sydney #martinplace #illridewithyou #peace .

It has been an emotional time for the people of Sydney since a gunman took hostage a group of people in Martin Place, eventually killing two in the name of the Muslim state.

I do not want to get hung up on the politics of it all, though I do believe that we need to do more to welcome minority groups into our community and make them feel safe and welcome. This man did not represent the thousands of Muslims in this country who contribute peacefully to our society, who work and pay taxes and who have become friends and relatives. I believe in tolerance, education and a fair go for all.

What was moving was to see the city coming together in sorrow. All backgrounds and cultures paying their respects to the dead. There were three blocks of flowers in Martin Place and a line up to get up close. It is a surreal experience seeing it and knowing it was in a café that I have been in a few times. It was healing to see the outpouring of sorrow and gave me hope for the future.

I believe that out of this will come a sense of community across the city's population. That the city will stand together and learn to love again as we heal.

Tori & Katrina - may you rest in peace.

Sculptures By The Sea

#sydney #sculpturesbythesea #heat #art #bondi .
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I have a love/hate relationship with this bloody event! Here goes.

The Sculptures By The Sea is an art festival that is displayed along the coast from Bondi Beach to Tamarama  Beach. Along the boardwalk(s) there are numerous sculptures to look at which are usually amazing and have the beautiful coastline in the background.

So why the hate part?? It is usually extremely busy (no matter what time of day) and very hot!

This year I got there at 7:45 and so did the other half of Sydney. It is worth the early rise as the art is spectacular and you are reminded of the beauty of Sydney's east coast. Here are my favourite pieces.

Special thanks to my significant other for insisting I shut up and go!

Above is my favourite. It was quite slim on the side, but a set of rings with the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean looks amazing.

Swimmers

Ants

Sunrise over the ocean

This is a person trying to escape. An abstract of me trying to escape the heat (it was 30 degrees) and crowd.

Whale

Chess piece

Sydney Noodle Market

#sydney #sydneynoodlemarket ..


So I am a little late on this one. It is in late October each year and attracts a fair crowd, however this year it exploded. So let me explain. It is really the first of the Spring festivals in Sydney. It is run over a week in Sydney's Hyde Park. The festival has all the major Asian restaurants in tents giving you the chance to sample their food (for a fee) and really compete for your custom.

Now I thought picking a weeknight would be the smart thing. I was wrong. It is always busy. When we rocked up it was like New Year's Eve. There are people everywhere. Be prepared to line up. the mood is great and the food even better.

My tip for 2015 - watch the weather and pic the overcast or rainy day.

The pics below show the crowds and how popular the day has become. Note the infamous pic of the night lights - probably seen in every advertisement for the even

See you next year noodle market!

More from Sydney Open.... Pics!

#sydney #sydneyopen #hongkonghouse #hongkong .

Ok everyone, I promised some more pictures from the Sydney Open Day. I searched my phone and these are the best ones that bring out some hidden Sydney gems. Enjoy!!

The above is the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. This was open during the day, including the concert hall. They had someone playing the grand organ whist we popped in. Amazing and a great chance to put our feet up! Our legs were begging for a pit stop.

Hong Kong House

Hong Kong House is just behind the QVB and is a building much look past as buses rush through the busy intersection. A historic building that has at times been a hotel and bank (well I am sure the guide said that) and is now the office for the Hong Kong government in Australia, this building has been restored to its former glory thanks to the Hong Kong government. What you will find below is a pic of  the QVB from HK House and a pic of the stain glass that is the centre piece of the stairwell. Apparently in years gone by, business men would go to the balcony and see the view to the harbour on one side an the view to Central Station on the other - now blocked by surrounding buildings. 

View from Governor Phillip Tower

#sydney #sydneyonline .

These pics are not actually of the building but of the view of Sydney from their upper levels.

View to the east - the botanic gardens

The east

North - the harbour bridge and opera house

South - including Centre Point

West

Enjoy!

Sydney Open

#sydney #sydneyopen #whatsonsydney #soreknees
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Every second year the Sydney Living Museums/HHT launch their Sydney Open Day. On this day buildings around the city open up their doors to show the general public some of their rooms. Aided with my printed map,2 friends any my reliable partner,  I penciled in my wish list.We then start to negotiate our day. Having done the Open before, I knew to limited my achievable list to a top 6 must see list. These included:

# 8 Chifley
# 9 Castlereagh
 Martin Place (including their rooftop)
Australia Square
Cove Apartments
Hong Kong Park
Grosvenor Place
Governor Phillip Tower (views!!)
NAB House
The Great Synagogue
The Royal Automobile Club of Australia

OK, 6 was a little hard!!

I have some great pictures to show over the next few days. In terms of view the Governor Phillip takes the prize. We were up on the upper levels with 360 degree views of the city with floor to ceiling windows. On this beautiful spring day the city looked amazing.

Architecturally, 50 Martin Place wins. The old building has been restored to include a glass atrium that shines light down the internal offices. Built at just the right height to allow natural light in yet low enough to avoid the wind tunnels. It was stunning.

This is an amazing day to learn more about the city and see the insides to some historic, as well as brand new buildings

For more info head to:
http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen

The Lord Raglan

  #sydney #lordragon #redfern


The Lord Raglan is a small pub that is part of the gentrification of the south Redfern/Alexandria area. I stumbled across this pub following the taste of The Rocks Brewing co beer - this is all they have on tap. The bar retains it's old style pub look with the renovations limited to funky industrial like lighting. It has become my favourite place for a bite to east and a few beers on a Friday night. I highly recommend the Hangman - my favourite ale, though they add special brews all the time.

Later on on Friday night they have an acoustic band playing old favourties which adds to the relaxed and no stress environment. A rare place in Sydney that does not have Poker machines! There are some pinball machines for those that need to do something other than catch up.

If you are in the area, I recommend popping in. Redfern is changing so rapidly. The hipsters are moving in and cleaning it all up!

http://lordraglan.com.au/lordraglan/Welcome

The Galleries - Foodcourt

#food #sydney #galleriesvictoria

 Hidden in the basement of the Galleries Centre is a much missed food court. It has recently been renovated and is not quite a little art space. It is dimly lit, organised in different sections that break up the room. Across the back of the furthest wall is the below art piece of an Asian Lady. I love this picture. It really lights up the space taking you right away from the bustle of the city and nearby Town Hall Station. It is probably as Melbourne as you are going to get in central Sydney.

If you are going to grab a quick bite (on your way to JB HI FI) then you cannot go past Mero Mero. They have the most tasty (steak) sandwiches that you are going to find. Beautiful marinades on your freshly cooked meats with fresh salads. I have never been disapointed. You usually have to wait, but it is well worth it. 

https://www.thegaleries.com/

Archibald Fountain - Hyde Park

#hydepark #sydney .

This is the most visited and well known fountain in Sydney. It is located in Hyde Park North, and every person in Sydney has had at least one visit to it. It was build in 1932, and I find it hard to imagine Hyde Park without it.  It was built to commemorate the relationship with France in World War 1. It is an Art Deco design and.... blah blah - I will not bore you with the design. What most kids like are the animals in the fountain with spurt water into the pond below. I can always remember the turtles and they take me back to my childhood.

Heading South from the fountain you walk under the canopy of  trees to the other end of the park. It is beautiful and you can easily forget you are in the middle of the city as you casually walk with the occasional specks of sunlight making its way through the trees. 

The Queen Victoria Building

This shopping centre, a former market is Sydney's answer to London's Harrods. Built in 1898, it has been a pivotal part of retail in Sydney ever since. It's art deco interiors and domes are probably a bigger draw-card then the shops within it. For most people it is just a thoroughfare from Town Hall train station to the surrounding city streets.  If you stop and take time to examine the architecture and fittings you will be well rewarded. It is on of the few well preserved buildings in Sydney that remind you of a time long gone. If you look online you will fine pictures of this building surrounded by horse and buggies instead of the buses that are there now.

The building itself was destined to be pulled down in the late 70s and be replaced with a car park, however sense prevailed and a major refurbishment turned it into the classy landmark it is today.

One thing I really want to try, but never have is the Tea Room in the QVB which serves High Tea Daily. Has anyone been? Is it worth the wait?? Time will tell.

http://www.qvb.com.au/ #QVB #sydney

Vivid Sydney

Vivid arrives to welcome winter to Sydney. It is our festival of lights where key buildings in the city are lit up and morphed into art. It is becoming bigger than NYE in terms of crowd numbers. Last year's experience reminded me to go on a week night as the crowds are less and you can move around more freely. This year saw Martin Place and the Sydney Star Casino added to the mix. I completed it all over two nights and was not disappointed. I have the usual photos of the spectacular Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Also added below are the inflatable rabbits that won me over. I must admit, I will be sad to see it end for another year, as winter takes over and the lights fade...

If it is your first time make sure you time your visit to Darling Harbour for the light & water show that it finished with fireworks. Touristy, yes but still a bit of fun.

http://www.vividsydney.com/