Celebrating a Birthday and Valentine’s Day

Last weekend we flew down to Sydney. It was a double celebration of Bob’s Birthday and Valentine’s Day. I’m not sure who was more excited, me because it was my first time in Sydney or Bob wanting to show me around. Our flight was delayed about an hour and once we landed it being Friday it took a while to get a taxi. After the 30 minute ride to the city, we checked in and headed for the harbor. The concierge told us about this great place to get a steak dinner down at The Rocks. It was called Phillip’s Foote and you get to pick your own cut of meat (steaks, chicken, and lamb) and then cook it yourself on the grills. While you wait for it to cook there is a salad buffet and there are also rolls, bread and baked potatoes. Because of the late hour we were both pretty hungry and the steaks really hit the spot.

The Rocks is an area where the first settlement was established in 1788 and is now a great tourist area with many historical sites, shops, pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and on the weekend they have a market. George street is the main street through The Rocks and is the oldest street in Australia.

We walked down to the harbor and our first sight was a cruise ship getting ready to set sail. We wandered around the Circular Quay enjoying the sights of the harbor by night!



I'm glad I didn't need M'Ladies as I didn't see it!



Taking a Break

I’m taking a few days off from posting but I’ll be back soon. Stay tuned for more adventures!

Shrine of Memories

Underneath ANZAC Square is the Shrine of Memories. It is a memorial to the men and women who fought in WWII. There are memorial plaques in the hallway to the participants from Australia and the Allies. Around the base of the post are the different soils from the cemeteries where WWII Australian service men and women are buried. On the walls there are tributes to the different branches of service-Air Force, Navy, Army and Women’s services.

ANZAC Square

ANZAC Square is in the middle of the CBD and it is named to honor all those who fought with the Australian New Zealand Air Corps in overseas wars.  It is a Queensland memorial to the men and women in those wars. Located in the square are several statues in honor of those who fought. There is the Shrine of Remembrance, the Eternal Flame of Remembrance and the Shrine of Memories.  ANZAC Day is April 25^th and there is a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance each year on that day.

ANZAC Square

Shrine of Remembrance

Eternal Flame

WWI Memorial



WWII Memorial



Vietnam Memorial



WWII Southwest Pacific Campaign
Memorial





Korea, Malaya, Borneo memorial





Boer War Soldier



Last Sunday we walked by and there were these wreaths around the eternal flame.

Different Things

The first few days we were here while Bob was showing me around, he had to keep telling me “left, Karen, left.” While walking on the river boardwalk, you are to keep to the left. I’m doing better, but I spent a lot of time apologizing my first few days here. I was constantly in people’s way while going up and down stairs or just walking down the street.

He also had to remind me that when you cross the street, you have to look right, left, right instead of left, right left to check for oncoming cars. I still look at the cars and see what I think is the driver being awful casual about where he/she is looking before I realize that they are the passenger and not the driver.  I don’t ride of lot of escalators at home but even they are backward. I’m always approaching them and seeing the steps go opposite of the way I want to go! Just this morning I went to the back entrance of the Big W which has a revolving door. I approached to the right and it was pushing hard and the door attendant (it's an entrance only door) had to tell me to push the other side. By the time I finally get used to all this it will be time to go home and I'll still be doing things the opposite way!

Another thing I’ve had to get used to is when you plug something in. Each outlet has a switch for each electrical plug and you have to make sure you have it on in order for you electronics to work. Some have a switch for the whole outlet. Sometimes I wonder why the toast is taking so long before I realize the switch has been turned off accidently.

The date is different. Today is not 2/18/11 but 18/2/11. Now I know why Bob writes the date like that so often, he has to do it when traveling internationally.

Not to be rude but even flushing the toilet (it’s not called the restroom here, but the toilet) is different. You have two choices, half a tank button or a whole tank button (Sorry!)

Our sleeping schedule has changed here because of the sunrise and sunset. When we first arrived the sun was rising at 5am and setting at 6:48pm.  Now it is rising at 5:32pm and setting at 6:31pm. I guess that’s why we can’t sleep in and we always feel tired so early in the evening. On the other hand my day starts early and I can get out and see the sights!!!!