Cruise Around The Harbour

Had the taste fo my first cruise a couple of weeks ago, from work. It was a 4 hour boat ride, literally around the harbour. We departed from Darling Harbour, the boat cruises north, then make a turn, went down till somewhere near Anzac Bridge, then the same route again. It was not bad, though at the end, one begins to wonder... hmm... are they going to go slightly further for a different view.

Anyways, seafood lunch was provided and free flow of drinks. There was a magic show and some people sang karaoke but most just drinks.

Here are some picture before lunch, and people drinking (of course, what else) and try to hunt down the waiter who brought the finger food.







The top 3 pictures are taken by my boss using his D80. The remaining are by my humble iphone cos I forgot to bring my trust, old seasoned ixus 50














Side note: Ah... the bliss of nothingness...

Random Food

Some of his cooking :)


Some of my experiments



Side note: I don't like tomorrow...

Of Dragon Boat Racing and Chinese Garden

As we were on the way to crossing our 2nd bridge, Pyrmont Bridge, we saw a dragon boat racing going on in Darling Harbour. I am, however, unsure what was the celebration or occasion but we stopped for a look and grab a couple of pictures :P



And it so happens that the Chinese Garden was opened for free to the public due to Darling Harbour's 21st birthday (if I'm not mistaken). It wasn't really far from the Pyrmont Bridge, so we popped in quickly :D


~ traditionally looking Chinese garden with background of tall commercial buildings




~ some naughty bird on top of the tree



Somehow, at that time, I did feel that the Chinese Garden wasn't exactly really near to the Pyrmont Bridge, it was quite a detour and we secretly think we couldn't finished the 7 Bridges Walk on time. Oh well.. but we did... so all was good :P

Anyway, thanks to the detour - we managed to get this picture, and as you can see... the sky was getting really dark.


~ with monorail and the bridge was "rotating" back to normal... umm.. not sure how exactly to describe it. :P


Side note: Suddenly got doughnut attack since last night...

Floriade 2009

Wanted to go see Floriade, the spring flower festival in Canberra since last year when I first came to Australia. As I said that, it meant that I didnt go last year. Tour guide brought me to the Canberra again this year, for Floriade this year.



This year's theme was Mind, Body and Soul


Most of the flowers were tulips,





Read: That's when tour guide got some bad hay fever attack :P

... but there were some stalls selling food, candles, soaps. That's when we thought that the organisers may consider stall selling medications for hayfever relief :P


In the middle of it, a ferris wheel..




Unfortunately, the weather was not good that day, it was raining most of the day :(


Side note: Happy Halloween's Day :)

7 Bridges Walk - Post Walk

It was said to be 25 km, but adding up the breakdown of the distance given, it looks like it is over 27 km. My first walk. Outcome of it - tour guide is pleased that I learnt some places in Sydney, though literally the hard way - by walking.

Milsons Point is one of the village available for registration. That was where we started our walk.

~queuing up for registration


~ route for the walk

The walk is from 8am to 5pm. 2 reasons why we have to start early.
1. I needed all the time there is, taking into the consideration of my non-existent fitness level
2. We are curious to see how the Breakfast on the Bridge looks like. Breakfast on the Bridge runs from 6.30 am to 8.30 am. From what I heard, registration is open to all, but thereafter was a lucky draw to draw out 6,000 participants.


~ breakfast on the bridge while crossing the first bridge - Sydney Harbour Bridge


~ people going home after the breakfast



~ stamped! for Sydney Harbour Bridge

As you can see from the picture, we were given an event passport to be stamped at each Bridge and Village. Villages are where one can register for the walk and there were some food stalls, music and entertainment at the villages.

Next up is the Pyrmont Bridge, followed by Anzac Bridge. I have never crossed Anzac Bridge by foot, last Sunday was the first time.




Left - Anzac Bridge. Right - Pyrmont Bridge

We were lucky that day, manage the get the Pyrmont Bridge when they rotate the bridge to let bigger vessels to cross. As you can see, the sky was getting dark then. Despite my threat of asking all the participants to step on the tour guide's feet, he insisted on saying, "It will rain." :P

True to the weather forecast, unfortunately for us, it started pouring as we are approaching the Anzac Bridge. I was hoping for a miracle as last Saturday was also forecast to be raining but weather was clear. Oh well...


~ Harbour Bridge in faraway


~ rain still want to take pictures :P (after crossing Anzac Bridge)

Bridge number 4 - Iron Cove. Tour guide said he had drove me passed this bridge twice but I have no recollection


~ I personally kind of like this bridge... don't ask why


~ Right - Gladesville Bridge

Have never crossed the Gladesville Bridge before, so I am seeing Sydney by foot :)



The last 2 bridges - Tarban Creek Bridge and Fig Tree Bridge.

And yes, it was still raining then. We got an umbrella back before crossing Anzac Bridge but shirt was still wet. After crossing all the 7 bridges, the remaining stops were villages - Lane Cove Village and Wollstonecraft Village before finishing the round back to Milsons Point.



And yes, if you wonder. I was a good girl, I finished the walk despite the event organisers did offered bus and ferry transportation at certain points if unable to finish the whole route.



7 Bridges Walk gives the opportunity for participants to enjoy Sydney by walking, also as part of fund raising for 4 events charities - beyondblue, the Cancer Council NSW, Diabetes Australia-NSW and Heart Foundation NSW :)



Side note: I enjoyed my first walk! :)

7 Bridges Walk

It started with this advertisement on TV while we were watcing Deja Vu. So we are doing this 25km Seven Bridges Walk this coming Sunday.

Registration is free and there is option of not completing it. Oh well.. we shall see how it goes :P
Also as the name suggested, the route will pass 7 bridges - Sydney Harbour Bridge, Pyrmont Bridge, Anzac Bridge, Iron Cove Bridge, Gladesville Bridge, Tarban Creek and Fig Tree Bridge.

By far, I have only cross the first 3 bridges... shall see how we go on that day :P

Yoshinoya in Sydney

The last time I went to Yoshinoya in Sydney was last year when I was still staying in North Sydney. Slept at about 3am that night and ended up waking at about 3pm the next day too. :P and off we went to Yoshinoya for an early dinner.

Last Sunday I feel like having Yoshinoya again. Its not that I dont like Yoshinoya as you can see the gap between the two visits. It is more of Yoshinoya is a little out of the way. It's located in Oxford Street, and unless I am super hardworking, I'll rather find another place to eat.

Anyways, last Sunday tour guide and I was heading to Paddington and I casually mentioned of having lunch in Yoshinoya. Halfway to Paddington, tour guide parked the car and said, "Let's go to Yoshinoya." Yay!

As we walked towards the shop, tour guide asked, "Where's the shop?" and I happily answered, "Just up in front."

As we reached the shoplot...




:(
No more Yoshinoya in Sydney...

So.. instead I settled for my first Subway meal. There's Subway in Malaysia and lots of shops here... no idea why I have never patron one prior to this.. shrug..



Side note: Test voucher received. Back to reality...