Have arrived in Australia's capital, greeted by lots of rain. Heavy showers, big sycamore-like trees - it's just like home really.
Last evening in the Blue Mountains, had dinner with Ditch Martin. He's on a lecture tour at age 24 - Brazil, NZ, Aus, RSA. Lucky divil! Made plans to head out to a jazz night, but realised in order to meet Kelly, I'd have to get up at 6.30. Sent a group email, then early to bed reading 'Sophie's World'.
Up to catch the Sydney train the next morning, leave my rucksack under a table at YHA Central ($4ph for a locker?!) and out to Circular Quay. Ferry to Manly, giving great harbour views. Meet Kelly, who brings me down to Manly Beach. We stroll along the shore to Shelly Beach, catching up. I've forgotten my togs, so buy a pair of patriotic Aussie ones. Water is lovely, can only swim in a certain section, dictated by attentive life-guards. Delicious fish and chips for lunch, with prawn cutlets.
Then to the car to drive to Palm Beach, aka Summer Bay! Surf Club is there, but no Alf. Recognise the view and the fence by the beach. Quick swim, then back to Manly for the ferry return journey.
Stop by the library, and spend an hour reading the last week's Irish Times. Real newspaper too! Ecstasy! Little sad really. Back to the hostel café, dinner of scrumptious chicken bascaolia (sp?), before Skyping C&L, and Aoife.
See some fireworks, presumably for start of Sydney Festival. Hostel is really nice, biggest in Australia. I torment the girl at reception about buses, and she's extremely helpful. 8am bus booked!
Booked onward travel to Melbourne - two coaches and a train: 9 hours. Another morning getting up before 7am. Would've thought the ACT would have better transport links. If I hadn't already booked the hostel in Melbourne, I coulld happily spend another day here exploring the museums, especially the War Memorial.
Arrived today around 12pm, convinced reception to let me store my bag in my room ,and set off for the parliamentary zone. The ACT was created after federation in 1901, to become the new country's capital. Therefore, it is artificially laid out, with the P zone at its heart. A new House replaced the old in the eighties. There's an axis that runs from the House to the War Memorial, cutting across Lake Burley Griffin (the original city architect). So many national institutions here - Archives, Library, Museum, etc. Got a tour of the house, led by Ian. He explained tonnes, like the 2,700 clocks in the building, the tapestry of eucalyptus forests, the colour scheme of the chambers, and how Australian democracy functions (similar to Ireland, but they directly elect the Senate here).
Wandered home past an Aboriginal protest, and a row of plaques for the Australians of the Year, one for each year. Great honour system.
Was tempted by Wagamamas for dinner, but got some stuffed pasta instead. Then confronted my transport conundrum. Going to go see the War Memorial now, take some photos, then try sleep.
***
Last evening in the Blue Mountains, had dinner with Ditch Martin. He's on a lecture tour at age 24 - Brazil, NZ, Aus, RSA. Lucky divil! Made plans to head out to a jazz night, but realised in order to meet Kelly, I'd have to get up at 6.30. Sent a group email, then early to bed reading 'Sophie's World'.
Up to catch the Sydney train the next morning, leave my rucksack under a table at YHA Central ($4ph for a locker?!) and out to Circular Quay. Ferry to Manly, giving great harbour views. Meet Kelly, who brings me down to Manly Beach. We stroll along the shore to Shelly Beach, catching up. I've forgotten my togs, so buy a pair of patriotic Aussie ones. Water is lovely, can only swim in a certain section, dictated by attentive life-guards. Delicious fish and chips for lunch, with prawn cutlets.
Then to the car to drive to Palm Beach, aka Summer Bay! Surf Club is there, but no Alf. Recognise the view and the fence by the beach. Quick swim, then back to Manly for the ferry return journey.
Stop by the library, and spend an hour reading the last week's Irish Times. Real newspaper too! Ecstasy! Little sad really. Back to the hostel café, dinner of scrumptious chicken bascaolia (sp?), before Skyping C&L, and Aoife.
See some fireworks, presumably for start of Sydney Festival. Hostel is really nice, biggest in Australia. I torment the girl at reception about buses, and she's extremely helpful. 8am bus booked!
***
Booked onward travel to Melbourne - two coaches and a train: 9 hours. Another morning getting up before 7am. Would've thought the ACT would have better transport links. If I hadn't already booked the hostel in Melbourne, I coulld happily spend another day here exploring the museums, especially the War Memorial.
Arrived today around 12pm, convinced reception to let me store my bag in my room ,and set off for the parliamentary zone. The ACT was created after federation in 1901, to become the new country's capital. Therefore, it is artificially laid out, with the P zone at its heart. A new House replaced the old in the eighties. There's an axis that runs from the House to the War Memorial, cutting across Lake Burley Griffin (the original city architect). So many national institutions here - Archives, Library, Museum, etc. Got a tour of the house, led by Ian. He explained tonnes, like the 2,700 clocks in the building, the tapestry of eucalyptus forests, the colour scheme of the chambers, and how Australian democracy functions (similar to Ireland, but they directly elect the Senate here).
 |
| House of Representatives |
 |
| Arthur Boyd tapestry |
 |
| The Great Hall |
 |
| Senate |
 |
| Entrance lobby |
Wandered home past an Aboriginal protest, and a row of plaques for the Australians of the Year, one for each year. Great honour system.
Was tempted by Wagamamas for dinner, but got some stuffed pasta instead. Then confronted my transport conundrum. Going to go see the War Memorial now, take some photos, then try sleep.
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