Frohes Noues Jahr!

I didn’t have plans for NYE except to go down to the harbor to watch the fireworks. The city hosts a bunch of free sites for such which I decided to take advantage of instead of paying upwards of $150-$800 for a premier private spot.  As long as you got there early enough to stake out your spot, you were golden. Friends of mine from my previous trip in the Whitsundays were coming to Sydney for NYE, in addition to the rest of the backpacker population in Australia.

Fireworks!

My camera didn't do so well, capturing the night...so I borrowed these.

Hard to find pictures to really show how amazing the fireworks truly were.

This is because if you didn’t know, Sydney is the #1 spot to be for NYE, worldwide. It reaches the New Year ahead of any other capitol city and does it in great style, with a brilliant fireworks display over the Sydney Harbor. Thus, I decided, I was going to be a part of this monumental event, even if it seemed crazy.

My friends I was meeting up with went to claim their spot and view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge at 9am, 15hrs before the show began. I being a little behind, left the Hyde Park Plaza (where I was fortunate to be staying at my friend Chuck’s), which is just a short 10-minute walk to where my friends sat, at 11:30am. I did not get to my friends until 2hrs later however…

This was because there was que to get in which wrapped around the grassy area in front of the Art Gallery of NSW that seemed to include 1,000s of people. I waited in it for nearly two hours in the hot sun, playing I-spy with a family from Perth and an elderly English couple.  To be honest this was not the highlight of the day, and almost deterred me from waiting in the que.

With the officials closing the gates at 20,000 attendants or at 3pm, whichever happened first, I was scared I wouldn’t get in, but at last I did.  I found my friends in the masses with ease and sat down happily. They indeed had a great view (located right behind the media section).

Air Show started at 6pm

There were 2 fireworks displays, one at 9pm for families and one at midnight

The Air show and Lighted Boat Parade started at 6pm, entertaining us for the time being and then at 9pm a fireworks display for families got everyone excited for the major display at midnight. The last three hours leading up to the main fireworks display was the hardest time to pass. Everyone became anxious and began to crowd in the area at this point, hoping for a better view. We held our ground, making alliances with the English couple behind us, and the Aussies to our left. The small fortress we built helped to keep our spots protected as we braved the crowds.

Me & a few of my closest friends - waiting for the New Year

Aussie friend who happen to get in the way of almost every photo I took

Finally it all began and as the crowd “ooohhh” and “awwwwed” we all were reminded why we had endured the long day – camped out in the heat. The fireworks were amazing! I was able to see 4 different spots in the sky where fireworks were being shot off around the harbor. The greatest part of the show for me was when the fireworks shot off the Harbour Bridge and when you could see them light up the Opera House. The incredible finale included a “waterfall” of fireworks pouring into the harbor from the bridge, which delighted all.

As the show came to an end, everyone exchanged hugs, wishing each other a happy new year and thatwas it…it was 2011. It may have taken all day to learn, but by the night’s end I was able to greet my friends, with wishes for the New Year in their native language, German, by saying: Frohes Noues Jahr! (Happy New Year’s). 

Kms in Katoomba

I woke up at 6am on Boxing Day (26^th) to Skype with my family (who were celebrating Christmas) and then lazed around before heading out to catch the train to the Blue Mountains.

The train was great. It was comfy, spacious and quite empty, allowing me to stretch out across 3 seats and take a nap for the duration of the 2.5hr journey. When I awoke, I was in the Blue Mountains with only a couple of stops between me, and my destination, Katoomba.

After checking in at my hostel, I unloaded my bags and went to explore the town. By the time I got to the far side of main street, (which is about a 15 minute walk) dark clouds rolled in, and it began to rain. Caught without my rain jacket, I returned back to the hostel where I retired for the night.

The next morning when I stepped outside, the rain to my surprise had stopped. However, thick fog had replaced it. I could not see my hand in front of my face! So – to brekki I went.

Yummy organic bakery where I bought some rolls for brekki at

Katoomba like most of Oz has plenty of used bookstores and second hand shops. (I believe this to be because these stores are the only affordable stores Oz has to offer). I browsed through store after store, waiting for the weather to clear.

This picture was taken in color - not B&W, despite the outcome (thanks, fog)

the "Three Sisters" are there...somewhere behind the fog

By the afternoon I was bored enough that I decided to venture out – regardless of the weather. I bought a pass for the hop on/hop off trolley and headed to Echo Point, where the famed Three Sisters were to be viewed from. Today, the view included a white sheet of fog and that was it. I wandered down a path and walked a bit, eventually finding a spot that was below the fog, that offered great views of the Blue Mountains, which are more like jagged rock formations than mountains. I watched as the SkyTram took people over the valley and then continued walking to Scenic World where the Tram ended, where I caught the trolley back to the city center.

Mesha at Echo Point (even though the fog, made it impossible to see anything)

a view from below the fog (SkyTram in air)

The Blue Mountains, Katoomba, Australia

Scenic World (big tourist attraction)

The next morning the fog had lifted slightly and I was determined to go on a hike. My plan was to take the trolley to Gordon Falls and hike from there to Leura Cascades, then catch the trolley from there to Echo Point, hike the Giant Stairway down to the Three Sisters, and then ride the Scenic SkyRail back to Scenic World, where I could catch the trolley back to the city center.

Mesha at one of the many entrances to the Blue Mountains National Park

However, things would not be an adventure if they went according to plan…right?

This is how the day actually went:

1.     Got to Gordon Falls - minus my camera battery

2.     Waited an hour for the trolley to return, and then went back to the hostel to get my battery and then headed to Gordon Falls for a second time

3.     Hiked Gordon Falls to Leura Cascades (well I actually missed the falls, hiking 3km east of them before realizing such)

4.     Hiked back 3km to see the cascades

5.     Tried to find the trolley at Leura Cascades to ride it to Echo Point (but couldn’t)

6.     Ended up hiking to Echo Point (4km)

7.     Hiked down the Giant Stairway

8.     Hiked back up the Giant Stairway ankle - as I missed the last train back up

9.     Decided that the Giant Stairway is a steep stairway, that feels like death on a sore knee, hip, and ankle.

10. Hiked back to the hostel (as I missed the last shuttle back to it)

11. Collapsed when I got to the hostel, as my 5km hike had turned into a 15km hike.

Happy, even if the fog still made it a little hazy out. 

view from Bridal Veil Lookout

And then they appeared... the Three Sisters!

and my friend that hiked the Giant Stairway with me

Regardless of the mishaps and extended hiking time, I enjoyed the Blue Mountains and escaping the frantic city life. I find I have smiled more while being in the outback, great barrier reef and blue mountains than anywhere in Oz, simply because the outdoors are what truly makes me happy.  The only things left on my To Do list in Oz, now include: seeing an actual Kangaroo (I’ve only seem wallabies and Tree Kangaroos so far) and attending the Australian Open (tennis). Perhaps I will return after seeing them, perhaps I will stay longer…time will only tell. (that and a job). 

Buble & the Bridge

I decided that even though it was going to be hard to be away from friends and family over the holidays, that I would stay in Sydney and experience an Aussie-style Christmas. So I made plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas and was determined to enjoy them.

On Christmas Eve/Christmas I listened on repeat, all day, to the only Christmas music I had on my iPod. Which included: “Let It Snow,” “White Christmas,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by Michael Buble. As I listened, I realized – all of which were things NOT to happen this Christmas for me, yet, I happily hummed along anyway.

Mesha walking the Harbour Bridge

View of North Sydney & the harbor from the bridge

The Harbour Bridge

view of the Opera House from the Harbour Bridge

Buble’s tunes joined me on my walk across the Harbour Bridge, which provided incredible views of the Opera House, harbor and city.

photo collage of some of my pictures of the Harbour Bridge

I walked back over the bridge, as it was a shorter walk than I anticipated, and then headed to Town Hall. I had decided to go to an early Christmas Eve Service, as I did not know how late public transit ran at night. Town Hall’s church, if that is what it is to be called, was massive with a large balcony and high ceilings. While the church didn’t fill up, sitting there I seemed to be more in the holiday spirit than ever. During the service we sang a number of beloved Christmas Carols, which I fully enjoyed. Afterwards I took the bus home and went to bed, exhausted, just as the clock struck midnight. 

Town Hall

Inside Town Hall

With no Christmas Tree to flock to nor any home baked goodies for brekki, I had a hard time recalling it was Christmas, until my friend’s flat mate reminded us all – by saying “Merry Christmas” and offering us some coffee cake (which was store bought, but nevertheless a treat).

of course I stopped at the Opera House on my way to the Botanical Gardens

My plan for Christmas was to join a group for a picnic for backpackers and the like at the Botanical Gardens, followed by a trip to Bondi Beach for the day.  While it surely didn’t feel like Christmas, there were definitely subtle reminders of such.

Signs Prohibiting Alcohol at the beach included stick figures complete with Santa hats

Tourist and the like could be spotted lying out on the beach in their swimmers and Santa hats. (I even saw a surfer, surfing with one on).

The French Guys who I made friends w/ (& borrowed their hat)

An American Tourist on Holiday in Oz

Mesha enjoying the sun at Bondi Beach on Christmas!

Bondi Beach

The City was lit up with Christmas Lights, decorated Christmas trees, and banners that read “Happy Christmas” – (apparently they don’t say “Merry Christmas” here).

Holidays wreaths lined the streets

a tree made out of bikes!

Tree at Martin Place

Close up of tree

One of the window displays at Myer, a large dept. store downtown.

After the beach, where I enjoyed a spread of fine cheese and olives, salami, crackers, and Cadbury’s delicious Black Forest chocolate, I went to the Hyde Park Barracks and St. Mary’s Cathedral to see the “Lights Of Christmas” light show.

Snacks at the Beach for Christmas

Hyde Park Barracks Lit up

St. Mary's Cathedral

St. Mary's "Lights of Christmas" show

Designs are ALL lights projected onto the cathedral

On my way there I passed a Starbucks (which I have actually only seen a handful while in Oz) and considered a Peppermint Mocha to make it feel more like Christmas…but recalling I was in a singlet, shorts, and thongs, and still quite warm, I skipped it. Luckily to my surprise, a lovely ice cream stand greeted me at St. Mary’s. I got a small scoop of Mint Chocolate Chip, sat down on the steps and enjoyed the show.  As I boarded the bus back to Newtown for the night, I smiled, knowing it had indeed been a lovely Aussie-Christmas.

Merry Christmas!  (2010 Celebrated in Sydney, Australia)

Opera Style

I have to admit, I have spent countless hours, days, and evenings surrounded by the Opera House. Time and time again, it draws me back, never seizing to amaze me. Each time I venture down to the Opera House, I see it in a whole new light. 

Additionally I have had the chance to view this iconic marvel of architecture, from across the wharf, near The Rocks & Overseas Passenger Terminal, and from across the Harbour Bridge at Milson's Point and Lavender Bay. Each view surpasses the previous with great beauty. I look forward to seeing the Opera House from the water, when I eventually take a cruise around the harbor.

For now I leave you with the views, the wonder, and majestic site of the Sydney Opera House...

Mesha w/the Opera House in the background (Milson's Point)

From the Front Steps

From the walkway back to Circular Quay Railway Station

Photo Collage - a small sampler of the photos I've taken of the Opera House...

From the Rocks (across the wharf)

from the walkway to Circular Quay

Atop the stairs leading to the Harbour Bridge walkway

from Lavender Bay, near Luna Park

from the Rocks (across the wharf)

I'm sure this wont be the last of the Opera House...this is truly one tourist stop that has yet to disappoint me. Perhaps this is why Oprah recently brought her show and a guest audience of 500 to tape an episode here - with the Opera House as her backdrop...