28 August 2010

Sydney photos



Weekend in Sydney


Recently I had a few days in Sydney for work and stayed for the weekend. I decided to try afternoon tea at the Stamford Circular Quay. I kept my expectations low, given that hotel teas in Australia are often disappointing. I had planned (for some years actually) to try afternoon tea at the Harrogate Tea Room in Pyrmont, but much to my consternation I discovered they'd closed their tea shop. Vexed but not defeated, I tried the Stamford (as I happened to be staying there anyway).

I am pleased to report that it surpassed my low expectations, and was even pleasant. It is held in the very old fashioned style bar in the heritage part of the hotel (think gentleman's club - fireplace, smoky mirrors, leather chesterfields etc). The food was actually quite well chosen - the sandwiches (always a barometer for me) were interesting, and there were some little hot things too. The tea itself was quite interesting too - they use a brand called Ronnefelt, German and available only the the hospitality industry. I had oolong and it was very nice indeed. I was able to spend an hour or so there nibbling away and sipping as I read the paper by myself and I found it all very relaxing.

The next day I caught a very over to Balmain, whence I had never been before. I had planned to visit the famous Adriano Zumbo, allegedly an Australian version of Pierre Herme (apparently the former being a protege of the latter) - and having experienced one of the jaw droppingly beautiful Paris outlets of Pierre Herme, where macaroons are displayed in jewellery cases, I had been looking forward to visiting Adriano Zumbo for quite a few years (ever since I read this article). Unfortunately, when I got there I saw what looked like a Depression-ere breadline outside the store. The macaroons may be heaven-sent, and I do like a good macaroon, but I'll never know because I am not about to line up for them no matter how good.

I did however enjoy a lovely perambulation along Darling Street from Balmain to Rozelle, enjoying two flea markets and a lovely book fair on the way (plus I got a coffee and a rather good eclair from another, less popular patisserie down the road), and eventually found my way to Norton Street where I saw a film (The Farewell Affair, and quite it was too) and browsed Berkelouw's before catching the light rail back into town - the first time I had ever caught the Sydney tram. It was quite good - why they are taking so long to expand the line further west and around the CBD is anyone's guess.

All in all, a very pleasant Sydney diversion.

05 August 2010

Darwin
















Another place I visited recently for work was Darwin.

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that, like a good many Australians of my age, I have seen much more of the world than I have of my own backyard, and I had never been to the Northern Territory before this trip. I had fairly low expectations of intolerable humidity and rednecks. It was humid, and there was a bit of redneckness too, but actually it was all quite charming and overall people, whilst ocker, were very laid back and friendly. I was pleasantly surprised to say that I quite enjoyed myself.

This photo (from the internet, not from my camera) comes from the Crocosauraus Cove tourist attraction in the middle of town. As I only had a small amount of time to sightsee (I was there for work after all), I asked the locals for advice on what to see and they recommended this place and the NT Museum and Gallery. They were good recommendations. The gallery/museum is very good and its highlight is a large exhibit on Cyclone Tracey including a terrifying darkroom with surround-sound effects of what the cyclone was like.

As for the 'cove' , it was much better than I thought. It has enclosures for a number of large, retired crocodiles, many of whom had been relocated as a result of having become too aggressive in their old age at other tourist parks. There are also a large number of hatchlings and juveniles there too (I'm not sure what happens to them as they grow, but suspect the handbags in the gift shop have something to do with it), and there is a very good reptile house where I spent quite a bit of time. There is also a lot of information about crocodilians and even a film on Darwin's history. I learnt a lot about the Indigenous people of Darwin, who apparently were welcoming of white settlers and had a very different relationship with Europeans than was the case in most other parts of the country.

But the highlight of the place is this glass enclosure where you can see the crocodiles from every angle and, for an exorbitant additional fee, you can be lowered into their enclosures to have a close encounter with them. Several rather gung-ho blokes did this during my visit. They were very disappointed to find that none of the 5 crocs were remotely interested in them - they would not move or even look at the so-called 'cage of death'. They did not respond to noises, splashing or any other desperate attempts for attention. It was all rather amusing.