The Taronga Zoo

This has got to be in one of the most stunning settings of any zoo in the world. It looks over the Sydney Harbour and is really a motion picture postcard. It truely is an event to go there. Departing from Circular Quay, the catamaran goes across the harbour giving ample photo options and it is really hard to resist taking shots at every turn.

The zoo itself didn't disappoint either. I think we saw just about every animal in there and spent most of the day scouting the place out. It was great to see a lot of the Australian animals as well, as I admit I didn't know what even a wallaby was before the trip there. We did get to see a platypus which was one of the highlights definitely.

Footy

Australian Rules Football is something to behold. It has a reputation of being a bit tough, but damn it looks like fun, so I decided to give it a try. I met up with the Inner West Sydney club for some training at the University of Sydney last night to try it out for myself. And I have the bruises to prove it.

Actually, they should call the game "Running" because that is mostly what we did. It was certainly a good time and there were some great guys out training. Lots of beginners too, which was good for me as I wasn't alone.

I have, on the other hand, found my chiropractor a replacement. While running with the ball I got tackled nicely and the benefit was a spinal adjustment. After a little game at the end of training I discovered that I had a bit of a black eye, a few scratches and scrapes, oh ya, and I can barely walk today. I can't wait to go back.

Botanic Gardens

Australia really is a different place. Trees, animals and sounds are all so exotic. Even now, as I write this, the hum of the Sicadas are constant in the background and the sun is in the northern part of the sky. It is all enough to remind you that you are a long way from home. It is like living life in a mirror, where your left is your right and right is left.

So to orient myself a bit and get to know some of what I am seeing and hearing all the time, I headed out to the Botanic Gardens near the Sydney Opera House and checked out some of the flora and fauna of the area. It is definitely an oasis and is well-used by the locals. I was there at lunch and walked along the water where many people were on lunch-time runs and families were picnicing on the grass, playing some rugby or cricket.

I walked by the government house and through the lower gardens where I learned to distinguish the ficus and eucalypt trees. The thousands of residents of the ficus trees though, were a bit disconcerting even if they just eat fruit (click on the pic for a larger view).

Mardi Gras Parade

You couldn't wipe the smile off my face. It was 3 hours of energy and excitement at the 30th Annual Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney. 150 floats and hundreds of thousands of people in a beautiful climate were perfect ingredients for a good time. What can I say other than that? I was in awe during the parade - it just seemed to never end and the energy was contagious.

Our Aussie Home

Sydney Arrival

After a spectacular flight from Vancouver, I arrived to a warm welcome in Sydney, Australia. It was ironic actually because the gloves were so cold. No, the border guard with the lazy eye was surprisingly gentle. He asked me a few questions and made me sufficiently uncomfortable because I couldn't make eye contact. No worries, though, mate, I was through to freedom before long.

Awaiting my arrival was Carrie and it was storybook as far as greetings at airports go. It was nice to be out of the cold, so to speak and into the left hand lane. There's something that is hard to get used to. I have to pretty much do a 360 before crossing the street as cars seem to come from all directions.

We taxied back to our new Aussie home, which I couldn't be happier with. It is a beautiful home in an exceptional area of town with charm to spare. We have an abundance of shops and Italian restaurants, and a barbeque that Texans would be jealous of. Dinner in the Italian forum has been an early highlight to be sure.