the land downunder

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Back in Sydney!
Not a lot has changed since we were here 4 years ago - we planned this trip to spend some time with Ian's mother Joy, his family Garry, Jan & their son Jarrad (daughter Tracey is in the US now) and with some old friends.
As usual, the photos speak for themselves.

From here, we return to Canada for a family Christmas, then back to Gust O'Wind for one last season down south.

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Photos

on the harbour
Sydney's landmarks - the Opera House and Bridge, taken from one of the many ferries used by tourists and Sydneysiders to get around the magnificent harbour

Harbour sails
the best experience in Sydney is riding the ferries - they barge through racing sailboats of all sizes during the summer months

Manly ferry
a great way to get to and from work!

Manly
schoolies playing mass volleyball on Manly Beach - one of 23 beaches in Sydney

outing
with Joy at Manly - an outing that took us by train, ferry and bus to Harboard for lunch

Sydney skyline
if there is a more spectacular harbour anywhere in the world we'd love to see it!

beach lovers on Manly
Sydneysiders love their beaches - they are lucky to have so many to choose from

pie lovers
...and they love their pies - most of them savory - we haven't tried the Voodoo yet!

Mr. Cohen
we were lucky enough to be able to attend a Leonard Cohen concert in Sydney with Ian's brother Garry and his wife Jan - what a treat!

Sydney Nov. 2010
surfers on Bondi Beach

Sydney coastline
looking towards Coogee Beach

Bondi Beach
Ian has very fond memories of sufing and swimming here (many years ago) - his mother Joy once lived in a rental home with this view - her father gave it up so she wouldn't have so far to walk to school!

sculpture 1
we enjoyed a beautiful walk from Bondi to Coogee looking at the spectacular scenery and 80+ sculptures that were currently on display

sculpture 2
this couple was enjoying the view too

cocky
wild white cockatoos are common in many parts of Sydney - they are raucous and aggressive - raiding school children's lunches is a favourite activity. This one stopped for a snack in Joy's backyard

kookaburra
a great Aussie alarm clock = the early morning call of 4 or 5 kookaburras

Susex Inlet
this town was a small holiday resort when the Rasmussens lived here many years ago - it has not lost its charm and natural beauty. We spent 4 days here with a group of Ian's friends from his teachers' college days. It is about 200km south of Sydney on the Pacific coast

"Sunways"
Ian & family lived here for 15 years - there were 7 rental cabins and boats for fishermen and holidaying families

Inlet cruise
we rented this pontoon boat and cruised the beautiful waters of Sussex Inlet

Sussex Inlet 2
on the Inlet with Ian's teachers college mates Bruce, Gunno, Keith & Des

Sussex Inlet 3
exploring rock pools with Paddy

Inlet residents
this roo and her joey were not camera shy

Berowra
bush walk with Gunno - Hawkesbury River north of Sydney

Old convict road
this old road was hand built by convicts in the 1820s - it took years to build but was barely used before a better route out of Sydney was found

..I thought it was New York..
a good example of Aussie humour!

Mixed Grill
Gunno arranged an evening at his place with a multi national flavor. Attendees representing Australia, Canada, South Africa and India were treated to numerous dishes , including Aussie snake (not really!) and South African boerewors.

Comments

[Lin]

You know how to live life to the full
Once again, spectacular pictures. Thanks for sharing your journey. Australis is definitely on the bucket list. Look forward to seeing you at Christmas. i trust you are going to be our Santa Ian?? all that lovely food you are devouring you will fit into the Santa Costume very nicely HAHAHHAHA. LUV LIN AND RICK

[Peter]

Hey, I represent that crack ...
Oh, right, I'm not a New Yorker any longer. In fact, I'm on the loose having driven from Jacksonville to Aiken SC, then to Grand Rivers KY to meet with Evil Dave, from there Dave and I drove to Omaha, NE where he lives for a pot luck Thanksgiving. I've since continued west to Centennial, CO where I am staying with a friend who joined me in the Exumas last year. Looking forwards to some hiking, a day on snow mobiles, possible skiing, and a ride up Pikes Peak ... will be wearing a LOT of clothing. Cheers. Peter

[Karen]

Howdy!
What a life you two have! Wonderful!!!!!!!!

[Judi/ohn]

Talked with Mcghee this morning. Seeing your 'blog' he is checking his bank account. I am afraid that if you keep this up you will put him in the poor house. Have you thought of hiring out to the Oz tourist dept.? Many thanks for providing such a georgeous respite from Holland Centre winter. Looking forward to meeting in the New Year. Love to Joy Jdi/John

[Khoa]

Thanks for the great Blog. Australia is a fascinating country with a lot sightseeing locations. Espcially Sidney was on my trip (February until April) a great city with a lot of Asians. In this way you won't miss Asian stuff. It's different from Munich where I live. Here, you just have two korean restaurants but many Chinese food locations. Oo