The Cube

I am not too sure how many temples are there in the Southern Hemisphere, however this temple is said to be the largest one. Nan Tien temple (南天寺) is a Buddhist temple, located in Berkeley, near Wollongong, NSW.

After taking a few wrong turns, we finally reached there. The first building that greet us is this pagoda.


At the side of the staircase which leads to the pagoda are these little statues.

Quite a few people were taking pictures, mimicking the statues

Inside the pagoda there is a big bell, don't remember the name of the bell. There are pieces of paper where you write down your wish, pin it to a tree-look-alike thingy, and strike on the bell. At least that what was I observed.

In one of the room, one could try their hand on calligraphy. There were pieces of pre-prepared papers and calligraphy brushes. Calligraphy writing is said to be calming.

Outside of the pagoda

Out of the pagoda, we saw this....


And my first thought was, "Jack and Jill went up the hill... " LOL. There is no well, but there's a bell, call Gratitude Bell.

It is a big hill, hence one can see a pretty good view of the surrounding.


From there, we walked to another temple in the complex. Next to it, there's a lake



Then we left, to be on our way to Bowral where we would stay over the night :)


Side note: Bowral is where Bradman Musuem is situated.

Tour guide made me a very attractive offer the other day. He told me I could choose a place for a short break over the weekend and he would bring me. Any place that I choose. We've been up north, west... so it is time to go to the south. Besides, the pictures of a few places in Southern Highland did make me feel like going there for myself. And no, I have not been to Hunter Valley yet :P

Wollongong was our first stop. There are people who travel there for skydiving. We just went for a stroll. Wollongong Harbour boast 2 lighthouses, said to be the only point in east coast of Australia to have that.

The 2 lighthouses... can you see them?

Up close

Some cannons at the side of the lighthouse

We had brunch, stopped by the tourism centre for some information brochure and went on to visit the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. However unfortunately we didnt travel via the Grand Pacific Drive. Maybe next time.


Side note: Not too far from visiting Don Bradman's Museum

Central Coast is an easy getaway from Sydney, with just 1 hour drive. I would categorized it as the relaxing sort with all the waters around, its a good place to spend a lazy weekend... let's not think about Mondays.

The previous trip to Central Coast was a day trip, this round went stayed over at Crowne Plaze Hotel in Terrigal, with water view. Gone back to where The Skillion, but this time around we wandered nearer to the waters.

have to go through these stones to get nearer to the water

fishing activity

And Central Coast somehow always have blue, blue sky


More beach thereafter - Macmasters Beach




Side note: Hmm... have you found out about Don Bradman?

I missed the pelican feeding the last time I went to The Entrance. Can't remember as to why I missed it but anyways, timing was right this time around. Pelican Feeding operates 3.30 pm daily.



Daytime are short during winter, it was dark soon thereafter. Checked in to Crowne Plaza Hotel (seems to be in tour guide's preferred list of hotels), had dinner at Hogs Breath, followed by a cocktail at Crowne Plaza Hotel's bar. Vaguely recalled that I didnt bring a spare pair of contact lens nor my glasses... was walking in blurness the next day :P


Side note: Don Bradman story seem more and more faraway now...

Stumble upon attractions with maze when I was surfing the net aimlessly looking up something. A big one that strike my fancy was so far away from Sydney that it is probably nearer to Queensland. However I found another one at Yarramalong Valley, call Amazement.

There are other activities aside from the maze like animal farm, some games like giant draughts and electric cars for kids. We started off by going to see the animals. A miniature horse (thats what I was told by the people there) and 2 ostrich were seperated from the rest of the animals and was a little further away from the main building. As it rained the day before, the earth was a bit muddy and slimy, not the nicest walk as we have to be really careful of not slipping. Back to the miniature horse, it was said that it was naughty, hence was placed with the ostrich. Hmm...

the naughty miniature horse

Further up front, nearer to the main building where they are renovating to be a cafe, are horses, donkey and alpaca. There are also chickens and ducks.

alpaca

There are 3 maze but they were still planting the summer sunflower maze, so we have only seen the Lilli Pilli Maze and The Heart Labyrinth. Umm.. they are pretty small, either that I was imagining it would be much bigger. I'm too short to get any picture that can clearly show the Lilli Pilli Maze but here's one on the Heart Labyrinth cos we could stand on the main building to capture that. And of course, I got the taller tour guide for assistance.

the chair in the middle is "S" shaped

We also tried some other games, including this giant draughts.


In the background you can see little kids getting on the electric cars.

Overall, it was not really big, I would've prefer a much bigger maze. The weather was also threaten to rain, we didnt linger very long. On the positive side, it was rather near the Central Coast, and we dropped by again :)


Side note: Don Bradman was also referred to as "The Don"

Second day in Canberra were spent walking on the other side of Lake Burley Griffin before visiting Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre.

2nd row, left - that's the War Memorial from afar

Questacon is not only just walk and view, there are things to play and experiment.



One of them is this Free Fall thingy where you fall from vertical 6 metres. You are required to slip on an overall and up on a staircase. Then you will be assisted to hang on to a bar and when you are ready, you let go... and fall....

Camera not fast enough to capture free fall action

Thereafter thought would go have a look at this market call Old Bus Depot Market. Hmm.. not too impressive, not much differ from other markets I've been in Sydney. Only took picture of the entrance :P

The last stop was to Cockington Green Gardens. It was little away from city and the garden closes at 5 pm with last entry time at 4.15 pm (cannot reach too late mah, tak sempat). From the website, tickets for adult cost at $16.50 per person. I went with the tour guide and we bought the adult value pack for 2 at $36.90 which includes admission, miniature train tickets (separately sold at $2), souvenir guide book and cake & gift shop discount voucher. When we reached, we were a little late and the cafe was already closed.

We got went on the miniature train ride which brings us around the garden first as the train leaves at certain time. The garden is divided into garden exhibits and indoor displays.

Indoor display room - The Rose Room

Outdoor exhibits are divided into buildings from UK and international displays.

The one in the middle is the miniature version of the main building of Cockington Green

the International exhibits

Umm... unfortunately the batteries for the camera went died after a couple of shots and my phone too. Had to borrow the tour guide's phone to take those pictures..

Due to all the rushing, we only had lunch some baklavas as lunch :P and needless to say, I dozed off on the way home as well.. hehe...


Side note: Learning about Don Bradman is part of my education plan... chotto...

Despite Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney may be more well known but Australia's capital is actually Canberra. I remembered my father was the one who told me that many donkey years ago.

Mr Tour Guide said there isn't much in Canberra but as I requested for it, we went on a weekend away to Canberra.

on the way to ACT.. but this was taken on the way

crossing to Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Canberra housed the Parliament, many embassies, War Memorial. We went to both the old and new Parliament but skipped the War Memorial (maybe next time :P)

After feeding ourselves, we wanted to try the paddle boats in Lake Burley Griffin, despite it was still well in May which technically is still spring, the paddle boats operator has closed for winter. We were considering of cycling but it was another 30 minutes till the shop closed. No choice, we walked.

Lake Burley Griffin

the new Parliament. It wasn't even 6pm but already pitch dark

Old Parliament which now house Museum of Australian Democracy

Both the old and new Parliament together with the War Memorial were built in the way that they are in one straight line.

After that, it was to the Black Mountain. Was very windy and cold at that time, also with my point and shoot camera, this is all I managed.



Side note: Am pressured to write the story of Don Bradman...

Woke up the next day... and it was raining... and misty... sky was grey...

However we thought we would give it a try at the Scenic World Blue Mountains nonetheless. Upon reaching there, we found out that they are still operating, which was good. We got $19 per person Valley Return pass (A ride into the valley on the Railway or Cableway and a ride out of the valley on the Railway or Cableway. Includes Walkway.) We ride in via the Railway and out via the Cableway.

Waiting for the railway. There were Japanese and Korean tour in front of us

Unfortunately, halfway through the scenic walkway, it started to drizzle again.

Raining but rain drops not obvious on photo

We managed to get away from walking behind the big tour groups, so the walk was pretty ok except it started to rain. Also tour guide's socks kept falling down... :P

We then went to the Cableway waiting station, and I realised it was really lucky of us to have gone to the Echo Point Lookout the day before... because....



We left Blue Mountains thereafter to avoid the massive traffic going back to Sydney. Stopped at Leura to grab lunch, and take the opportunity to visit the Bygone Beautys Tearoom and Teapot Collection (Teapot Museum).


I would say it is the place where you would not want to bring little kids to... or you'll risk having to pay for the whole shop...

Some collection of teapots

It started to rain again soon after that...

On the way to grab lunch.. autumn feel even though still green-ish

We were stuck in the traffic for quite awhile, I dozed off in the car, the tour guide drove all the way home :P


Side note: Do you know who is Don Bradman?

It was the Easter long weekend and thats the longest weekend (only 4 days) of away from home in Australia. Even Christmas holidays aren't that long, may be similar 4 days depending on which day it falls. Anyway, I had to work 2 of the 4 days but feet itchy, hence I bugged the tour guide to bring me somewhere near. The Blue Mountains was in the list for a while, despite my friend favours Hunter Valley all the time but I'm not so into wine and vineyard... so we braved the traffice to Blue Mountains on that Easter long weekend.

It was a really last minute trip, most hotels were booked out, we settled with Carrington Hotel. The price, of course hiked up in view of the holiday seasons but as it was only an overnight trip and limited choice, we went with it.

Hotel Carrington during the day

At night

It is apparently one of the big hotels in Katoomba, but my first impression of the hotel was it somehow reminded me of one of the cases in Detective Conan... = ="

Flowers outside of the hotel

The weather on the first day in Katoomba was pretty good and tour guide suggested we pay a tribute to The Three Sisters on the same day... which was lucky...

So far I have heard of 2 different version of the tale on The Three Sisters. One of The Three Sisters fell in love with 3 Aboriginal men and the other about Bunyip, a monster.
(I linked to the stories from smallguide.com.au and aussie-info.com)

We went to Echo Point Lookout to see a look at The Three Sisters.

The Three Sisters = the 3 rocks

other view from Echo Point Lookout

Not sure if it is obvious from the photo, but I like the layers of colour of the mountain

We then walked down to the first Sister but did not wander too far or went for the walks as it was getting dark. I did take a few shots of The Sisters after dark but the pictures didn't turn out good and the view was just lights at shining at the rocks.


Side note: Soon up with be story on Don Bradman (ermm.. how soon is soon... that is another thing altogether) :P