Penguins at Taronga Zoo

Feeding Penguins

Among my various exploits in Australia in 2013 was a trip to the famous Taronga Zoo, and whilst there, I managed to get involved in feeding penguins there. Many people associate penguins only with the colder climates of the world like Antarctica, and of course there are several species of penguins who are native to…

The Chinese Garden of Friendship

Chinese Garden of Friendship

There were many famous sights of Sydney that I was hoping and expecting to see on my recent trip – the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, etc –  but these did not include the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour, of which I knew very little before my trip.  The gardens were designed to…

Navy Ships at the International Fleet Review

International Fleet Review Navy Ships

I’ve posted about the fireworks and the aircraft in Sydney at the beginning of October, and of course, one of the highlights of the whole week was the International Fleet Review Navy Ships.  Twenty ships from the Australian navy were joined in Sydney by ships from a series of other navies including the UK, the…

The Manly Jazz Festival

The Manly Jazz Festival

I mentioned recently a trip to Bondi Beach during my recent trip to Sydney, and that this is just one of the many beaches around the city. Another one is Manly, which as well as being home to a series of beaches, is also home to the Manly Jazz Festival, which we managed to visit…

The origin of the Didgeridoo

Of the various cultural items that represent Australia to the outside world, one of the most instantly recognisable, both visually and audibly, is the didgeridoo.  What is more unusual and less well known is the origin of didgeridoo.  I don’t mean the origin of the didgeridoo – the instrument – itself but rather, the word.…

Bondi Beach

A trip to Bondi Beach

The city of Sydney is surrounded by beautiful beaches, some of which are more famous than others.  Among the most famous for those outside Australia is Bondi Beach.  The name conjures up images of surfers and golden sands, and there is some truth in that image.  The name itself apparently comes from an aboriginal word…

Sydney Opera House

A trip to Sydney Opera House

Among the “must see” things on our recent trip to Australia was a trip to Sydney Opera House.  When most people think of Sydney Harbour, two of the sights that spring to mind are the Sydney Opera House building and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the unusual shape of the Opera House being a famous…

Aircraft at the International Fleet Review

International Fleet Review Air Display

I mentioned the fireworks in Sydney at the beginning of October, and that there were other events at the same time.  Those included the International Fleet Review Air Display that saw various aircraft from Australia and other countries flying over Sydney in general, and the harbour in particular.   There had been a series of…

International Fleet Review Fireworks

International Fleet Review Fireworks

The 5th October saw the spectacular that marked the International Fleet Review in Sydney, 100 years on from the Australian navy first entering Sydney Harbour to take responsibility for naval protection from the former colonial power in the form of the Royal Navy. The International Fleet Review 2013 is a huge celebration lasting several days…