Sydney, mate!

Every time I visit Sydney Olympic Park, I try to guess whether it’s a success or an enormous waste of money. Most of the time it looks deserted, almost void of life. The impression is amplified by the scale of the structures. Yet there is always some maintenance or other work going on. Some buildings do look busy. There are skaters at the ramp, and the swimming pool is quite popular too. But just look at the stadiums and arenas… are they being used? There are some nice entertainment areas around – the Brick Pit, the Commons, and of course the Bicentenial Park… All these make me keep on coming. Nice place to take your family for a day out, and I’d say a must for Sydney visitors.

Laperouse is of course another cool place to go in Sydney. The fort, the museum, oysters, rocks, sandy beaches (including the nudist one), and views of the Botany Bay, Kurnell and the planes. On the way to Kurnell there are some other spots to explore. One is a recently build boat ramp on the way to Laperouse at Foreshore Rd, and the adjascent car park. It manages to get its share of visitors, probably drawn by curiosity more than by anything else as the place is looking quite bare and void of much vegetation. The runway is right before your eyes. Across the runway, behind the planes, along the shoreline, buildings of Monterey, Brighton-Le-Sands, Kyeemagh. Views of port Botany cranes, planes and rocks will keep your attention for a while. After a couple of take off its your time too.

What do you expect to see at a shopping centre car park? Car wash? Trolley return? Car service? Maybe, at some shopping centres. How about a place of worship? How about a place of worshipping Buddha? That’s exactly the thing found at the car park at the Eastlakes shopping centre, right next to the Eastlakes Reserve at Barber Avenue. Unfortunately internet doesn’t help in finding the name of the place, neither it’s history nor why it is there in the fresh air. I thought Buddha deserves a shelter.

Sydney City. The Rocks, a suburb that has retained his historical charm combined with new development. Suddenly the Harbour Bridge is about 80 years old, and its concrete walls and pedestrian tunnels look pretty gloomy even on a bright sunny day. Driving on Kent street, take right turn to the Observatory hill. Hudge fig trees and a nice view of the Bridge, the Harbour, the Anzac Bridge and further inland if you walk around. A popular wedding spot. What does bust of Hans Christian Andersen do near the Sydney Observatory? Even the official brochure calls it “suprising”… Leaving the Observatory for next time, from Watson Rd enter the pedestrian tunnel across the Harbour Bridge, leading to the other side of the humongous chunk of concrete to enjoy views of the Circular Quay and the Opera House. The footpath splits to go to the walk along the Bradfield highway that eventually becomes the Bridge, or, in oposite direction, to Cahill Expressway that will take you to views of both the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. When going for the Bridge, at least walk up to the south Pilon. Climbing the Pilon (not the Bridge) is a must. There is an observation area there. You can also walk all the way to cross the Bridge. The northern side of the Harbour (Milsons Point) is pretty cool too.

I always like to vary my day routes and choose something new to do in Sydney when there is a spare hour (although I never really have one…). One of such things is watching planes at one of the Sydney airports. There are two airports in Sydney. The Bankstown airport serves small planes and choppers, and one in Mascot (the Kingsford Smith) is the main Sydney airport serving interstate and international lines. I always wondered what would be the best spot to watch all those huge Boeing take off and land. At least the kids will be entertained. This weekend I found myself in Rockdale. Those Sydney residents who live in Rockdale will think I like to torture myself, as they know very well what a landing Boeing souns like as planes often go right above their roofs very low. So when another Boeing soared above my heard, I new the airport was nearby. From Rockdale take Bay street to descend to Brighton-Le-Sands, then General Holmes drive, drive through the tunnel under the runways (sometimes you are lucky and you see the planes “walk” slowly above the tunnel as you go in), turn left at Macdonalds and take Ross Smith Ave and drive to the end. I am now right near the end of a runway and a turning spot, and more runways are just a little further in front of you. The huge beasts go slowly before you, with all sound and smell, after just having landed. Others go to the other end of the runway, to take off. There are other cars around, with people in them. I wander what they are up to. Is this their thing too…

Another beautifull weekend. Sakura is in full bloom in Sydney and so is magnolia. They are both my favourite flower trees and I’m never tired to watch them bloom. The best place to see sakura in Sydney is The Auburn Botanical Gardens. Camelia Gardens in Caringbah too used to have sakura years ago but not any more except for a single tree, which is a great pity. Went to Camelia Gardens, a unique little garden in Southern Sydney, to see what changed in a couple of years that I haven’t been there. As always, no disappointment from the garden. Just beautiful lush green paradize. Narrow paths amidst rainforest plants, ponds, childrens playgrounds… Have a picnic on the grass, or just relax and watch ducks. Or other visitors birds… Oh, and it must have the most beautiful path to toilets, decorated with bloosoming flowers all the way…

Happen to be driving through Auburn. A predominantly muslim suburb these days. It’s got nice Botanical Gardens park – the best known to me place in Sydney to see sakura in bloom (in spring, which is now), and best kebabs in Sydney (any season). Auburn Gallipoli Mosque is a landmark seen from surrounding roads and I couldn’t resist taking a shot from the car.

This weekend it’s real spring in Sydney. Cronulla peninsula is the place of many beaches and pools, some good for sports and others for families. The North Cronulla is a typical surf beach, while the Shelly Park, The Oak Park, Cronulla Park, Gunnamatta Park and Darook Park are all excellent familly beaches. The Shelly Park and the Oak Park beaches are formed with rock pools. Gunnamata Park is probably the closest to the station and so is probably the most crowded one, espacially in summar time at the pier. The pier makes me wonder of its initial purpose as it is now mostly used for diving jumps. The M.V Curranulla ferry to Bundeena is a beautiful option to avoid crowds and get closer to nature.

Sydney skies are always different, and often very pretty. Got interesting pattern in the sky at twilight today. All without leaving my own house. Do you see an evil face there?
And another one, with the Blue Mountains on the horizon.