For today, we started off by sleeping in until 9 a.m., then wandering downstairs to make breakfast. I discovered that our gas cooktop definitely has gas, but that it does not light. I have eggs that want to be fried, and so I keep fiddling with it. I can smell the gas, but there is no flame. I wonder if I am supposed to use a match to light it? That's not usually the case, but... As I keep trying to figure out why the stupid burner won't light, JQ runs away and hides in the other room, because she is afraid there is going to be an explosion.
JQ says she will text Craig to ask him about the cooktop, so I give up and eat toast. As it turns out, apparently you can live on bread alone.
The original plan for today was to go to the Taronga Zoo. I looked online for tickets, then remembered the multi-attraction pass, so went searching for those. There are several varieties, but I'd was leaning towards the Sydney 7-day multi-attraction pass - the big one.
JQ: Wait - did you research this?
CF: I looked it up with my computer. Look! It looks good, right?
JQ: I'm not saying it's not good, I'm just saying that we should check into it a little more before buying. Did you add up the cost of each activity to see if it is cheaper?
CF: I looked at this list of activities, and I like it.
JQ: What is the dollar ratio per pound divided by the amount of fun when the barometric pressure is above 1017 hpa?
CF: WTF. I don't have the time or patience for your stupid researcher questions. I want to buy this pass.
JQ: I only bring it up because research studies have shown blah blah blah poor monetary skills blah blah you aren't even listening to me are you blah.
CF: ALL I WANT IS TO BUY THIS FREAKING PASS.
This is the point where JQ reminds me that she and I may have different travelling styles - that I like to go go go and see see see, and she likes to relax relax relax. As I have been sitting here in this house until 11 a.m., I feel that I am adequately accommodating her lackadaisical travel style. Freaking delicate mountain orchid.
In the end, we do buy the iVenture Sydney 7-day attraction pass, because pound for pound, no matter the barometric pressure, it's more convenient than passing out money at each gate, and it gives us plenty of options. Our purchase is not without a few bobbles, mind you. After an attempt to purchase online, clicking wrong, screwing it up, we then had to head down to Darling Harbour to the iVenture kiosk where the lovely and kind Michelle unscrambled things for us.
We regaled Michelle with tales of life in Canada. She was appalled to hear about temperatures of -28C, and even more appalled when we told her it gets colder than that. The bottom line for us is, even a cool day in Australia is warm by our standards! It does make travelling easier.
While we were at the tourist kiosk, we also booked our Sydney Bridge Climb for tomorrow - can I get a "whoo" and "hoo" from those of you in the bleachers? Yes, this was one of my really-really-really-wanna-do items.
The good news is we now have our iVenture card in hand. Unfortunately, we have now wasted over half the day in getting the iVenture pass sorted out, and - not wanting to make the same mistake that Monica and I made in Chicago - JQ and I decide we will activate the pass tomorrow. So the Taronga Zoo is a no-go for us today.
With that decided, we choose to just walk around and explore Sydney. We start out by wandering through one of the malls at Darling Harbour, looking at all the tacky souvenir stuff. JQ is interested in the fashion shops, so we also window-shop there. Time to stop and have a little lunch; I decide I can afford a quiche.
And, speaking of $$$, while wandering around and taking photos, I dropped $20, which a passerby was quick to hand back to me. JQ has been very impressed with the friendliness of the people in Sydney; I guess that's not always been her experience on her travels.
When we left Darling Harbour, we walked wandered towards downtown. Many decorations for Chinese New Year, and also for a Gay Pride Mardi Gras which is coming up (unfortunately, on the day we fly out of Sydney, so we will be missing that).
While downtown, we stopped in at Australian Opal Cutters (which is one of the options on our iVenture card). Besides, JQ has an eye for jewels, and she wants to eyeball some opals. Let me tell you, though: security in that place is tight. There's an entrance on the ground floor that leads only to an elevator (that has security cameras watching you). You go up to the third floor, then when you get out, you're confronted by another locked door with bars on it and security cameras pointing at you. You have to ask to come in. Then you're finally in their workshop, which is furnished with many more barred enclosures, warnings about cameras, and cameras everywhere, watching you.
They ask what we are here for. I say, "I'm here for my free gift with my iVenture card." Flash my card, and hold out my hand - gimme gimme. JQ says, "I am interested in purchasing expensive objects d'art and would like to peruse your wares, while discussing whether or not they were ethically sourced - money is no object."
So guess which one they pay attention to? The cheap little peasant wanders around, looking at everything marked $30 and under. The jewel hunter sits regally at the table, asking endlessly research-y types of questions, while a grand assortment of opals is laid out before her. The dimwitted one says, "Ooh, sparkly! Pretty!"
Anyway, we get to see lots of very lovely opals, and by proximity, I have learned more than I ever wished to know about opals. But they are very sparkly and pretty. 😄
JQ is vacillating between opals, and then segues into jewel settings (CF dies a little inside as yet another topic is introduced into this day-long conversation). JQ is very specific about what she likes. She sketches a haphazard drawing of a possible jewel setting. CF's eyes light up, and she asks JQ to hold up the picture so that it can be included in the blog. JQ is immediately (and justifiably) suspicious and refuses to comply. Thus, dear readers, you are denied the opportunity of seeing JQ's drawing of a vaguely uterus-shaped jewellery setting. (It's not her fault - she's just a really bad artist.)
Finally, after hours and hours and hours (okay, maybe it was only one hour, or an hour-and-a-half - I admit I lost track of time), we escape the Australian Opal Cutters. JQ promises to return to buy the largest opal they have in stock. (Disclaimer: I might have made that part up.)
Anyway, off we go, hoofing it down city streets and through markets. I have caught sight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge through the buildings, so we decide to walk out far enough to take a looksee. We end up at Circular Quay (and "quay" is pronounced "key". Did you know that? I did not know that.)
Circular Quay is also Grand Central Tourist Station. It's the waterfront, and a whackload of ferries stop here, and there are a bajillion people wandering around. There is also a massive cruise ship parked in the harbour - the Explorer of the Seas - so probably a full 2,000 are from that boat alone. There are hotels all around, green grass and park space, art installations, bookended by the Sydney Harbour Bridge on one side, and the Sydney Opera House on the other. This is our first sighting of the Sydney Opera House, so that's pretty cool.
Time to sit down and relax for a moment. I stop and pick up a water for $4.50. JQ decides to eat her rice crackers, inciting the sharp-eyed interest of many seagulls (who seem slightly smaller than our own).
Slightly rejuvenated, we walk towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge, watch a couple getting wedding pictures with the Opera House in the background. After that, I want to verify where the Bridge Climb leaves from tomorrow. We head up under the bridge to Dawes Point, find the Bridge Climb office, then decide to head back to Circular Quay to catch a ferry ride home.
We wander through the side streets back towards the Quay, and find that we have stumbled onto The Rocks. This is an old, historic area, part of the first European settlement in Sydney, and it still uses a winding little warren of roads and pathways between buildings. It is very, very cool. We will have to come back here.
When we reach Circular Quay, we run for our boat, but miss it. Fortunate, as it turns out, since that was the wrong boat. It was going to Darling Point, not Darling Harbour. Darling Point is way over in that other direction. I am miffed, and think it was a mistake to have such similar names that are not in the same neighbourhood. Don't use Darling again - go for a synonym. Like Honey Point, or Sweetie Point, or Dear Point. But that doesn't matter, because there are multiple ferry stations in Darling Harbour, and the one we want is called Pyrmont. So that clears that up, anyway.
With that sorted out, we head to Wharf 4 and await the correct boat to Pyrmont. Our boat arrives, and it is called the Catherine Hamelin. I like this boat. I think it has a good name, and it will be a good boat. Also, the boatswain has swoon-worthy arms, probably from constantly tying boats to docks.
We are about to commute home by boat - how exciting! And you know what? It is pretty darn wonderful. I'm standing at the front of the boat while JQ is sitting down. I asked her to come here. Why? she asks, as she starts to stand up. I wanna do the "I'm King of the World." JQ immediately sits down again. That's a no. Too bad. It would have been a great video for you guys.
I did get this nice photo of a sailing ship for you.
Once we've docked, it's just a short walk of a few blocks home. It's been a lovely day. And I am sitting in my back yard as I write this blog entry, and some strange bird is calling out. Nedeene wanted to hear a recording, so don't judge the video quality - just listen to the bird calls. (Hope this works!)
JQ says she will text Craig to ask him about the cooktop, so I give up and eat toast. As it turns out, apparently you can live on bread alone.
The original plan for today was to go to the Taronga Zoo. I looked online for tickets, then remembered the multi-attraction pass, so went searching for those. There are several varieties, but I'd was leaning towards the Sydney 7-day multi-attraction pass - the big one.
JQ: Wait - did you research this?
CF: I looked it up with my computer. Look! It looks good, right?
JQ: I'm not saying it's not good, I'm just saying that we should check into it a little more before buying. Did you add up the cost of each activity to see if it is cheaper?
CF: I looked at this list of activities, and I like it.
JQ: What is the dollar ratio per pound divided by the amount of fun when the barometric pressure is above 1017 hpa?
CF: WTF. I don't have the time or patience for your stupid researcher questions. I want to buy this pass.
JQ: I only bring it up because research studies have shown blah blah blah poor monetary skills blah blah you aren't even listening to me are you blah.
CF: ALL I WANT IS TO BUY THIS FREAKING PASS.
This is the point where JQ reminds me that she and I may have different travelling styles - that I like to go go go and see see see, and she likes to relax relax relax. As I have been sitting here in this house until 11 a.m., I feel that I am adequately accommodating her lackadaisical travel style. Freaking delicate mountain orchid.
 |
| These birds were sitting in a tree outside our house. Awesome! |
We regaled Michelle with tales of life in Canada. She was appalled to hear about temperatures of -28C, and even more appalled when we told her it gets colder than that. The bottom line for us is, even a cool day in Australia is warm by our standards! It does make travelling easier.
While we were at the tourist kiosk, we also booked our Sydney Bridge Climb for tomorrow - can I get a "whoo" and "hoo" from those of you in the bleachers? Yes, this was one of my really-really-really-wanna-do items.
The good news is we now have our iVenture card in hand. Unfortunately, we have now wasted over half the day in getting the iVenture pass sorted out, and - not wanting to make the same mistake that Monica and I made in Chicago - JQ and I decide we will activate the pass tomorrow. So the Taronga Zoo is a no-go for us today.
 |
| Check out the GAYTM - a blinged up ATM decorated for Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras |
When we left Darling Harbour, we walked wandered towards downtown. Many decorations for Chinese New Year, and also for a Gay Pride Mardi Gras which is coming up (unfortunately, on the day we fly out of Sydney, so we will be missing that).
While downtown, we stopped in at Australian Opal Cutters (which is one of the options on our iVenture card). Besides, JQ has an eye for jewels, and she wants to eyeball some opals. Let me tell you, though: security in that place is tight. There's an entrance on the ground floor that leads only to an elevator (that has security cameras watching you). You go up to the third floor, then when you get out, you're confronted by another locked door with bars on it and security cameras pointing at you. You have to ask to come in. Then you're finally in their workshop, which is furnished with many more barred enclosures, warnings about cameras, and cameras everywhere, watching you.
They ask what we are here for. I say, "I'm here for my free gift with my iVenture card." Flash my card, and hold out my hand - gimme gimme. JQ says, "I am interested in purchasing expensive objects d'art and would like to peruse your wares, while discussing whether or not they were ethically sourced - money is no object."
So guess which one they pay attention to? The cheap little peasant wanders around, looking at everything marked $30 and under. The jewel hunter sits regally at the table, asking endlessly research-y types of questions, while a grand assortment of opals is laid out before her. The dimwitted one says, "Ooh, sparkly! Pretty!"
|
|
Anyway, we get to see lots of very lovely opals, and by proximity, I have learned more than I ever wished to know about opals. But they are very sparkly and pretty. 😄
JQ is vacillating between opals, and then segues into jewel settings (CF dies a little inside as yet another topic is introduced into this day-long conversation). JQ is very specific about what she likes. She sketches a haphazard drawing of a possible jewel setting. CF's eyes light up, and she asks JQ to hold up the picture so that it can be included in the blog. JQ is immediately (and justifiably) suspicious and refuses to comply. Thus, dear readers, you are denied the opportunity of seeing JQ's drawing of a vaguely uterus-shaped jewellery setting. (It's not her fault - she's just a really bad artist.)
 |
| I really have been looking for love in all the wrong places. It's in Sydney, Australia! |
Anyway, off we go, hoofing it down city streets and through markets. I have caught sight of the Sydney Harbour Bridge through the buildings, so we decide to walk out far enough to take a looksee. We end up at Circular Quay (and "quay" is pronounced "key". Did you know that? I did not know that.)
Circular Quay is also Grand Central Tourist Station. It's the waterfront, and a whackload of ferries stop here, and there are a bajillion people wandering around. There is also a massive cruise ship parked in the harbour - the Explorer of the Seas - so probably a full 2,000 are from that boat alone. There are hotels all around, green grass and park space, art installations, bookended by the Sydney Harbour Bridge on one side, and the Sydney Opera House on the other. This is our first sighting of the Sydney Opera House, so that's pretty cool.
Time to sit down and relax for a moment. I stop and pick up a water for $4.50. JQ decides to eat her rice crackers, inciting the sharp-eyed interest of many seagulls (who seem slightly smaller than our own).
 |
| JQ prepares to make her photo-bombing run |
We wander through the side streets back towards the Quay, and find that we have stumbled onto The Rocks. This is an old, historic area, part of the first European settlement in Sydney, and it still uses a winding little warren of roads and pathways between buildings. It is very, very cool. We will have to come back here.
When we reach Circular Quay, we run for our boat, but miss it. Fortunate, as it turns out, since that was the wrong boat. It was going to Darling Point, not Darling Harbour. Darling Point is way over in that other direction. I am miffed, and think it was a mistake to have such similar names that are not in the same neighbourhood. Don't use Darling again - go for a synonym. Like Honey Point, or Sweetie Point, or Dear Point. But that doesn't matter, because there are multiple ferry stations in Darling Harbour, and the one we want is called Pyrmont. So that clears that up, anyway.
With that sorted out, we head to Wharf 4 and await the correct boat to Pyrmont. Our boat arrives, and it is called the Catherine Hamelin. I like this boat. I think it has a good name, and it will be a good boat. Also, the boatswain has swoon-worthy arms, probably from constantly tying boats to docks.
We are about to commute home by boat - how exciting! And you know what? It is pretty darn wonderful. I'm standing at the front of the boat while JQ is sitting down. I asked her to come here. Why? she asks, as she starts to stand up. I wanna do the "I'm King of the World." JQ immediately sits down again. That's a no. Too bad. It would have been a great video for you guys.
I did get this nice photo of a sailing ship for you.
 |
| Look! So pretty. |
Once we've docked, it's just a short walk of a few blocks home. It's been a lovely day. And I am sitting in my back yard as I write this blog entry, and some strange bird is calling out. Nedeene wanted to hear a recording, so don't judge the video quality - just listen to the bird calls. (Hope this works!)
Hmm I can't play it on my ipad or cell phone it just shows up as an image. I'll have to try at work on Monday. Those parrots are sure pretty! And i would have had a grande time with the opals. And I would have asked the same questions about the passes....haha. Exciting to see the bridge climb!
ReplyDeleteOn a work note, I've been putting the IT B team through some paces - fun fun!
I changed it to a YouTube video. Hopefully that works!
DeleteIt does! Wow they are loud. Need earplugs!
ReplyDelete