Sydney - Part 5

---

Sunday the 15th, we’d come to realize that we really didn’t have that much more time left in Sydney, and needed to try and see what more we could fit in. So one of the attractions we saw was the Chinese Gardens. Our hostel was located right near Chinatown, so we tried exploring it a bit and came across this really nice looking park. At one of the corners of the park though was this beautiful Chinese building with enclosed gardens. It was like a small walled off sanctuary. Very zen-like. There were tons (or heaps, which is what they would say in Australia) of strategically placed rocks, viewing areas of ponds, isolated sitting areas and plenty of huge fish in the small lake. It was so cool to be in this peaceful garden and see the high rise buildings in the background, with none of the noise of the city. This was also one of the first times we got to see a wild lizard of some sort when out and about. Not too surprising considering we’d mostly stayed in the city, but fun nonetheless!

Now as if that wasn’t enough gardens for one day, we walked down to the botanic gardens as well! These gardens were huge! It could take up a full day to walk around the whole gardens. Reminded me a lot of a golf course when we first walked in. Definitely a different approach to the Chinese gardens. The botanic gardens were huge open spaces, with smaller gardens interspersed. It was mostly far-stretching green lawns, with tree-covered pathways, and different varieties of plant life in several focal points. In contrast, the Chinese gardens were very confined, and seemed to emphasize the value of making the most in the limited space available. Both were very nice though. That night would be our last at the hostel, as we wanted to try something different for our last two nights in Sydney. We spent the evening chatting it up and saying goodbye to our new friend from Ireland.

Kevin (and Hillary)

---

Photos

Chinatown - 1
The main gate to Chinatown.

Chinatown - 2
This main street sort of cut off the gardens from the main section of Chinatown.

Park - 1
A map of the surrounding area of the harbour.

Park - 2
It's almost as if I were about to be soaked! lol

Park - 3
More of the water fountain.

Chinese Gardens - 1
A collection of bonsai trees were placed near the entrance.

Chinese Gardens - 2
The gardens were really peaceful and serene.

Chinese Gardens - 3
This was a cool mural of a red and blue dragon.

Chinese Gardens - 4
This was the view across the lake with the city in the back.

Chinese Gardens - 5
Walkways throughout the gardens kept you enclosed, but still outside.

Chinese Gardens - 6
This was a stone that resembles a dragon.

Chinese Gardens - 7
A lot of the gardens had descriptions for different areas.

Chinese Gardens - 8
The moongate and clouds.

Chinese Gardens - 9
A bridge with the waterfall in the background.

Chinese Gardens - 10
More descriptions.

Chinese Gardens - 11
The waterfall in action.

Chinese Gardens - 12
The view from the top of the waterfall.

Chinese Gardens - 13
Great areas for pics on the mountains.

Chinese Gardens - 14
The shrine at the top of the mountain.

Chinese Gardens - 15
Great view down from the mountain.

Chinese Gardens - 16
One of our first encounters with a lizard!