A walk across Sydney

After wandering around cities from Auckland to Marrakesh today I walked across the Sydney CBD from Potts Point to the S H Ervin Gallery to see the Salon des Refuses.

Boot camp at bottom of McElhone Steps

The boot camp still operated on McElhone Steps from Potts Point down to Woolloomooloo. Press ups at the bottom of the steps then the participants ran/puffed up the steps with the encouragement of the trainer, who stayed at the bottom.

Near Harry’s Cafe de Wheels

The first change I noticed was the removal of the fence at Woolloomooloo near Harry’s Cafe de Wheels. New seats have been installed so now we can enjoy a pie with an uninterrupted view of the harbour.

It is always a risk walking up the steps beside the Art Gallery of NSW as one usually has to negotiate a boot camp then the lunch time joggers on Art Gallery Rd.

Lunch after a visit to the Art Gallery

There was a group of small school children eating lunch in the Domain with coffee drinkers, more joggers and a team of footballers.

Sydney Domain

Then passed the State library of NSW and another exhibition to visit next time.

State Library of NSW

Groups of language students/tourists with clip boards in hand were taking notes in O’Connell St and Australia Square.

Students with clipboards and cameras

Then a new food court under the Wintergarden building.

Food courts have improved.

I have often gone on free walking tours in other cities but it had never crossed my mind that I could also do this in my home city.

Free walking tour guide

He told me that often Sydneysiders went on his tour and ended saying they saw bits of Sydney they did not know about. Free Sydney

Then up Jamison St and a building I had not previously seen as I guess I had never really looked up.

I had no idea the top had been added much later.

The though the underpass beneath the approaches to the bridge, more joggers and a young woman doing her exercises, oblivious of passersby.
R

Finally a sign I was arriving and another group running up the Agar Steps and then immediately back down again.

No photos were allowed in the Salon des Refuses Exhibition but some very interesting pictures which to my untutored eye could easily been part of the Archibald finalists.

A good citizen and trusted representative

A walk back to the city passed this monument in York St. I wonder if any politicians would have this said about them today.

The Spring Flower Show in David Jones Department Store.

Spring,Flower Display

Perhaps a walk of being a tourist in my city should become a regular activity.

Canning Stock Route – Things along the way

Camping under desert oaks at Lake Disappointment

The land we travelled through was mostly Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA lands) which require a permit for access.

An Indigenous Protected Area is an area of Indigenous-owned land or sea where traditional owners have entered into an agreement with the Australian Government to promote biodiversity and cultural resource conservation. Indigenous Protected Areas make a significant contribution to Australian biodiversity conservation – making up over a third of Australia’s National Reserve System.

Canning Stock Route – 2

We were 16 passengers of mature age who had all travelled with Outback Spirit previously. There were 4 terrific blokes who drove the purpose designed vehicles, set up camp, cooked our meals, provided information on the track and the Surveyor Alfred Canning, and kept the show on the road.

Canning Stock Route – 1

Canning Stock Route

Sign at intersection at the start, the intersection with the Tanami Track

Map of the Canning Stock Route from Wikepedia.

Travelling the Canning Stock Route was an incredible experience. We were 16 passengers of mature years with 4 incredible blokes in 2 4 wheel drive vehicles towing trailers and 2 6 wheel trucks. We are on the track for 14 days and saw half a dozen other vehicles and one Polish fellow riding a bike along the route.

Waiheke Island

View from Veronica’s bedroom of Hauraki Gulf

 

My sister Veronica moved to Waiheke Island, New Zealand and I have finally got to visit.     It is a 40 minute ferry trip from Auckland.    It is about 20 km long and described by the Waihike Island website as

a picturesque blend of farmland, forest, beaches, vineyards and olive groves. Waiheke is just a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, and has an international reputation for food and arts.

I am now finding out. The view from Veronica’s house is certainly picturesque, looking towards Auckland.

Danube Delta

One of the 3 main arms of the Danube into the Black Sea.

The mouth of the southernmost arm of the Danube.

Constanta, Romania

Constanta is a city in Romania on the Black Sea coast. It is a large port and holiday destination.   It has a mosque, Orthodox Church, and some lovely buildings from the beginning of the 19th century which have now been returned by the state to their owners.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

I had wanted to go to Dubrovnik for a very long time. However I was concerned that it would disappoint as did Carcassonne and Sorrento. When I visited both these cities I felt that I had come 30 years too late. Too crowded, too many in your face tourist shops. Where was the real community?

Dubrovnik town wall

Dubrovnik was certainly crowded but somehow it was different. I stayed outside the old town, 10 minutes away by bus in a resort hotel on the sea. This was chosen as I thought after 4 weeks of train travel I would need a rest. I was able to swim and just gaze at the sea.

But I visited the old town on 5 occasions and of course walked around the wall and attended a concert as part of the Summer Festival.

Budapest

Giant wheel newly put in a park in the middle of Budapest

I visited Budapest for 1 day in 2012 and wanted to spend more time in this lovely city.
I met up with Gery an exchange student who lived with us in 1997 and his parents, who took me on this wheel so I could see their city.

One of the 15 indoor pools.

Temperature of indoor pools from 32 to 38 degrees. C

Foyer

One of the 3 outdoor pools.

Szechenyi Medicinal Bath

I spent a delightful morning  with Madgi experiencing the famous Szechenyi Medicinal Bath. I tried 4 indoor pools, the sauna and 2 outdoor pools as well as the coffee and cake.

Train Travel Romania

Memorial to 1989 Revolution

I like travelling by train, I like the fact that trains are on the ground, you can see what you are what you are passing, you can move around, the seats have leg room , you don’t need to go through the hoops of airport security where your toothpaste or water can be tossed in the bin and trains go very often from the centre of cities.
I have had enjoyable, generally comfortable and interesting trips by train in Europe.

Bosphorus Express

Istanbul Station

I am now on part 2 of my trip, DIY Orient Express, Istanbul to Vienna.

Orient Express Restaurant Istanbul Station

Dress code is not what it used to be.

We left Istanbul at 10 pm by bus due to track work to the border. We reached the border at 2 am and then had 2 hours at border re passports etc. Then I and about 15 others board train which left at 4 pm. I had booked a 2nd class sleeper which was to have 3 female occupants however I was the only one in my compartment. Train is 3 carriages including one sleeper with me and about 7 others and person who kept announcing ‘ I am shaffer conductor.’ He was wearing shorts, loose shirt and sandals. Compartment had 3 beds with white sheets, doona and pillow.