25 May 2012: A morning at Milsons Point

Each time when I visit Milsons Point in Sydney, I will recall my first visit to Milsons Point on 16 Nov 2010 when one of my dear friends, RL, went the extra mile to walk with me to Milsons Point. I recalled feeling touched by my friend's gesture of kindness and generosity when she took the time to walk me all the way from Circular Quay to Milsons Point. It was possibly one of my most memorable walks that I had in Sydney.

When I visited Milsons Point on a Friday morning in May 2012, Luna Park was one of the first landmarks that greeted me when the ferry arrived at the Milsons Point wharf. The next two other landmarks that caught my eyes so fondly were the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Such peaceful and beautiful moments inspired me to sketch. 

As I sketched, I fondly remembered a recent visit to another point of Milsons Point which another friend, FH, had brought me to on 21 May 2012 with her daughter. I have to say that Milsons Point is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit.

I was grateful for a chance to visit Milsons Point in the morning. Somehow, the morning rays that fall upon Milsons Point make it especially beautiful. While I was at Milsons Point, a group of school-girls asked for my permission to take a photograph with me. I wonder if one of them may somehow chanced upon this blog one day by a stroke of luck and fate?

Whatever it is, when I pass by Milsons Point, I shall remember the kindness of two friends. I am deeply grateful for these wonderful and kind friends. 

Also see:
16 Nov 2010: The peaceful Milsons Point
19 Nov 2010: Back to Milson Point and the evening stroll

Also visit: Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

25 May 2012: Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House from a ferry.

Sydney Opera House is the place to visit in Sydney even though I have visited it many times. There is a quality about it that inspires me whenever I visit it. The sails of the Sydney Opera House look beautiful against the background of the harbour. Every time when I walk up the platform stairs of the Sydney Opera House, I will be reminded of the Mayan culture and its ceremonial platforms that somehow liberate one from the mundane world to the spiritual world.

I have written about my visits to the Sydney Opera House in my previous posts, so in this post, I shall focus on sharing glimpses of some of the new developments at the Sydney Opera House as well as on sharing some snapshots of this beautiful piece of architecture.

It was here that I had collected my ticket to Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour.

Will it be a realistic dream if I were to desire to perform in the Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall?

Whatever it is, I am grateful that I was blessed with the opportunity to visit the Sydney Opera House once again. I first visited it in the year 1992 and I realized from an old photograph that was taken that year that the landscape has changed greatly since 1992. It has been an amazing twenty years since my very first visit to the Sydney Opera House!

***
Sydney Opera House
2 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Nearest train station: Circular Quay.

***
Please also read:
25 May 2012: The first Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour
9 May 2011: My third Sydney Opera House Essential Tour
Utzon Opera House
20 Nov 2010: Utzon, Sydney Architecture Walks
19 Nov 2010: The Sydney Opera House Essential Tour once more
15 Sep 2008: The Sydney Opera House Essential Tour

Also visit: Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

25 May 2012: Gothic Revival time at Government House

The autumn greeted me at the Government House, Sydney.

While I was in Sydney in May 2012, I was a little intrigued by my choices of places that I had explored. I had initially thought that I would have logically considered a visit to one of the major art museums but in the end, I ended up at two of the historic houses in Sydney on 25 May 2012. I visited the Government House and the Susannah Place Museum.

Within the compounds of the Government House.

Government House Sydney.

Imagination will serve to be a most useful tool to help visitors to visualize the grandeur of the Government House which was said to be "the most sophisticated Gothic Revival building in the colony". Built between 1837 and 1845 for the Governor of New South Wales, I learnt that the Government House was designed to present an impressive front. It was designed by British architect, Edward Blore, who was also involved in the design of the Buckingham Palace. In my mind, I imagined how grand the Government House would look as sailing vessels sail into the Sydney Harbour in those days.

Photography is not allowed inside the Government House. There is an online website that offers a gallery of photographs of the interiors of the Government House. Here is the link: Government House - images. Thankfully, it was possible for visitors to take photographs of the exterior of the Government House. The facade of the Government House exudes an elegant charm that seems to transport its visitors to a nostalgic moment in the past.

Inside the Government House, one can see portraits of the Governors of New South Wales. What drew my attention most of all was the ballroom with spaces for the musicians of the orchestra to perform. The House Music programme will bring the ballroom to life whenever musicians perform in the ballroom of the Government House.

Leaves on the grounds of the Government House.

My parents would mostly likely be bored if they were to visit the Government House. Yet, this place will be a lovely place for anyone who likes to visit historic buildings to experience the charm of an architectural style that seemed to sought to revive medieval forms. Visitors ought to make some time to visit the Government House's garden after the guided tour. I felt very peaceful walking about the garden within the compounds of the Government House. It was like visiting a private garden that was located within the much larger Royal Botanic Gardens.

***

Government House

Royal Botanic Gardens, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Tel: 61-2-9931-5222
http://www.hht.net.au/museums/government_house/2

Access into the Government House is strictly by guided tour. The guided tour is free-of-charge. Tickets to each of the guided tours of the Government House is distributed at the gatehouse at least half-an-hour before each tour.

As the Government House is occasionally closed for functions, please check this website for information on the opening hours of the Government House: http://www.hht.net.au/museums/government_house/2.

***

Also visit: Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

25 May 2012: Picnic at the Royal Botanic Gardens

It can be a blessing to be able to slow down and learn to appreciate the simple things in life.

One fine afternoon on 25 May 2012 while I was in Sydney, I followed the urges of my heart and decided to enjoy a simple picnic at the Royal Botanic Garden. Occasionally, I laid down on the lush green ground and enjoyed the beautiful views of the beautiful clouds against the blue skies. For a long moment, I felt that I am blessed with everything that I would need in the world. Perhaps peace and the space to enjoy the beauty of life were what I would ever need?

When I looked out to the distance, I saw the castle-like Sydney Conservatorium of Music. What a pleasure it was, to be able to have the luxury of time to enjoy the beauty of every moment that Nature and the man-made features could offer us at any point in time. I felt thankful for a peaceful afternoon get-away. The weather had been very kind on me that day.

***
Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney
http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au
Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Tel: 61-2-9231-8111

Nearest train station: Circular Quay.
***
Also visit: Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

What I should work with?

The results of this test reminded me to spend more time making art.

You Should Work with Art

You are a very visual and creative person. You couldn't stop making beautiful things, even if you tried. You are constantly inspired and driven to create. It would drive you crazy to follow too many rules at work. You have to do things your own way. If you're given room to be yourself, you come up with amazing things. You never stop making art, so you might as well get paid for doing something you love!

What Should You Work With?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Island Adventures at National Museum of Singapore

Find out what are the challenges that one would have encountered if one were to travel across the oceans in the 1820s, and learn about how life was on the island of Singapura in the 19th and 20th century through the child-friendly Children's Season 2012: Island Adventures.

Here is an account of my visit two weeks ago: Island Adventures at National Museum of Singapore.


Children's Season 2012: Island Adventures
National Museum of Singapore
93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Concourse, the Salon and Garden, Level 1
26 May 2012 - 22 Jul 2012
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily (Last admission at 5 p.m.)
$5 per child/ adult
For more information, please visit: http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/EventDetail.aspx?id=330&cat=5

Tea break at Strand Arcade

The Strand Arcade, Sydney.
Photograph taken from http://www.strandarcade.com.au/About-Strand

While I was in Sydney in May 2012, I am grateful that my friends made time to catch up. One mid-afternoon on 25 May 2012, I met up with one of my friends, FH, for a brief and meaningful tea-break.

On my own, visiting shopping malls would not be anywhere on the top of my list of things to do as a tourist. Yet, I have had a pleasant visit to one of the malls in Sydney. Credit goes to my friend for highlight the interesting nooks and corners of the malls to me. I am thankful to her for sharing her interesting perspectives to design and how various design concepts were applied by certain stores in the mall.

Interior of the mall.

Question: Which mall did we visit? 

Answer: Strand Arcade.

While writing this article, I learnt that The Strand was established in 1891. It was the fifth and the last of the arcades built in Victorian Sydney. Yet, today, it is the only one remaining in its original form. The best parts of the arcade have been carefully restored.

I was attracted to this Shoe Repair store.
It seemed to remind me of the good old days of visiting a cobbler.

Visitors and shoppers can find in the Strand Arcade a number of retailers that have traded in Sydney for decades as well as various Australian designer fashion and specialty stores. One of such examples is Dinosaur Designs which specializes in home-wares and jewellery. I like the organic and simple nature behind its various designs.

Concluding our visit to the Strand Arcade, my friend and I treated ourselves to the Swiss Dark Hot Chocolate with Soy Milk from Strand Expresso.

I am feeling grateful for the opportunity to catch up with one of my friends over tea-break, the time to be acquainted with various Australian designer stores and a wonderful cup of dark chocolate.

During my short visit to the Strand Arcade, I did a few things that were new to me! It was my first time exploring the Strand Arcade with a friend and taking notice of the various Australian designer stores in it. It was my first time taking notice of stores such as Dinosaurs Designs and Strand Expresso. I felt I was not the regular tourist visiting the usual tourist attractions but a visitor who is learning about how the locals of Sydney live their everyday life. Many thanks to my friend, FH, for introducing me to Strand Arcade over an afternoon tea-break.

***

Strand Arcade

412 - 414 George Street

Sydney NSW2000

Location Map: http://www.strandarcade.com.au/Location

Nearest train station: St James.

***

 Also visit: Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

25 May 2012: Susannah Place Museum

The Susannah Place Museum was one of the places that I had visited when I was having a short holiday in Sydney in May 2012. Located at The Rocks, which was once a thriving and close knit working class suburb, Susannah Place Museum lends its visitors a glimpse into the life of the working class from the mid-19th to late 20th centuries.

I decided to choose to visit the Susannah Place Museum because I learnt that the Susannah Place Museum is a row of four terraces that has survived largely unchanged since it was built in 1844. I learnt that the Sussanah Place has a continuous history of occupancy by working class families. My interest to experience a historic building that has survived to my time and yet has retained much of its original character propelled me to choose to visit the Susannah Place Museum during my limited stay in Sydney. I was very pleased with my choice.

Visitors to the Susannah Place Museum will be greeted by a store that has been faithfully recreated to remind visitors of the store that was run by Youngein family in the 1915. Interestingly, this recreated store sells goods from that very era (i.e. 1915). The gas light and the housefly traps in the store caught my attention. This is one place to find interesting items that were sold in the 1910s.

My tour of the Susannah Place Museum began with a viewing of an introductory video on the history of Susannah Place. From this video, I learnt that the first owner of Susannah Place was probably Edward Riley who could have named the terraces after his niece. The video also gave its viewers a glimpse of the lives of many of the occupants who had lived in the Susannah Place. The accounts on the "green ban" and how the Sussanah Place was developed into a house museum caught my interests.

After watching the introductory video, my physical tour about the Susannah Place began. I felt as if I was on an adventure that allowed me to travel back in time. The tour took me to all the four terraces. The decor of the rooms of the four terraces reflected how these rooms would have looked like in different times of the past, for example, the 1840s, the 1920s and the 1970s. There was even a functioning toilet in the Susannah Place Museum that bore the facade of the past.

I felt grateful that there were people with vision and foresight to preserve The Susannah Place for the generations to come to appreciate the living conditions of working class families of the past. Having a glimpse of the living conditions of the past has helped me to be more appreciative of the improved living conditions that I am blessed with today. I have learnt from my visit that with effort and vision, the preservation of historic buildings and sites is possible.

Susannah Place Museum is a place to visit for lovers of heritage buildings who enjoy having a glimpse of the past.

***
Susannah Place Museum
58 - 64 Gloucester Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000
Tel: 61-2-9241-1893
Admission by guided tour only. 
Monday - Friday: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Weekends and NSW School holidays: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Winter closing 5 p.m. (June, July and August)
http://www.hht.net.au/museums/susannah_place_museum

Nearest train station: Circular Quay and Wynyard.

***
 Also visit: Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

Read: Stuart Wilde's The three keys to self-empowerment

Author: Stuart Wilde
Title: The Three Keys to Self-Empowerment
Publisher: Hay House, Inc. (2004).


A few weeks ago, I picked a book from one of the public libraries at random, and Stuart Wilde's The Three Keys to Self-Empowerment was chosen. I subsequently learnt that Stuart Wilde is considered by many as the greatest living meta-physician in the world today.

His style of writing is easy to read. In this book, he reminded his readers that life was never meant to be a struggle. He also writes about the concept of silent power and miracles. Some of the ideas seem to me to be slightly similar to some of the concepts of Taoism, yet it is best to read this book to ascertain if this is so since I am not a scholar of Taoism. I find the ideas in the book intriguing. For people with an open mind, it can possibly lend new dimensions to looking at ways to live our lives with greater level of self-empowerment.

To learn more about Stuart Wilde, please visit his official website at http://www.stuartwilde.com

25 May 2012: My first experience of Vivid Sydney

Living on a tropical island of Singapore that is north of the equator, I have had no idea about Vivid Sydney, the festival of light, music and ideas until the year 2011 when I heard about it through Tourism New South Wales. When I had the privilege to visit Sydney in May 2012, I made an effort to extend my stay in Sydney so that I could at least spend a night in Sydney experiencing Vivid Sydney.

25 May 2012 was the night. As it was approaching winter, the skies turned dark by 6 p.m. in Sydney.

Urbanscreen (Germany) - Lighting the Sails.

At 6 p.m., the curious visitor in me had the privilege to attend the first-ever Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour! During the tour, I learnt from our dedicated guide that the projections projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House were a result of the digital mapping of images from projectors installed on the roof of the Overseas Passenger Terminal. What a revelation! Since that night, I looked at the Overseas Passenger Terminal with a different pair of eyes.

The building on the extreme right of this photo is the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

After spending some time near the Sydney Opera House enjoying the digital projections on the sails of the Opera House, I strolled leisurely towards the Museum of Contemporary Art. The weather was cool and dry in Sydney. This made my walk a very pleasant one. Along the way, I was treated to visually pleasing art installations and light projections.

Enough Ropelite

I have much to learn about taking interesting photographs during the night. Nevertheless, the tourist in me could not help but use my camera to take photographs of the first night of Vivid Sydney 2012. It was fascinating to experience Vivid Sydney in person. 

Foreground: UP and Away!

I used to hesitate visiting Sydney during winter because the nights are long and the days are short. I prefer sunlight to moonlight. Vivid Sydney challenged me to be grateful for the longer nights because this will mean longer hours to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the light installations and projections.

Motion Collaboration #1 at Museum of Contemporary Art

Come to your Census. Cadman's Cottage.

Vivid Sydney has a dedicated Facebook Page with photographs of this spectacular festival that will prove to delight: https://www.facebook.com/vividsydney

Make a date with Vivid Sydney!

***

Vivid Sydney 2012

25 May - 11 Jun 2012

http://www.vividsydney.com

Also visit: Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

Art Garden 2012: Be engaged, be delighted.

Does this squid-like artwork entice you? 5QU1D by Ryf is an interactive artwork that responds with blinking lights when people approaches him! Be intrigued by artworks that appeal to the senses and stimulate the intellect this school holiday season by visiting the Art Garden 2012 at the Singapore Art Museum.

Be engaged, be delighted.


Art Garden 2012 at SAM@8Q
8 Queen Street, Singapore 188535
From 18 May - 12 Aug 2012

25 May 2012: The first Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour

On 25 May 2012, while I was visiting Sydney, I had the pleasure and privilege to secure a ticket to the first ever Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour! This tour lends the visitors to an ultimate sneak preview of what goes on behind Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House.

Vivid LIVE is Sydney Opera House's Contemporary Music Festival that is held within the Vivid Sydney's Annual Festival of Light, Music and Ideas. Vivid LIVE, I learnt from the tour, is an artist-driven festival, defined by special commissions, one-off events and Australian premieres. It seemed to be a special honour for contemporary artists to participate in Vivid LIVE.

The meeting point of the Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour was at the Stage Door of the Sydney Opera House. This meant that participants of the tour would be taken to the backstage of the Opera House to gain insider knowledge behind the Vivid LIVE festival. Be prepared to receive a warm VIP welcome at the registration booth.

To respect the privacy of the performers and the crew at the backstage of the Sydney Opera House, photography is generally not allowed at most places. However, participants can still look forward to selected photo-taking opportunities at special corners of the Sydney Opera House. During the tour, our group had the privilege to visit one of the vacant dressing rooms and be treated with photo-taking opportunities right there.

One of the dressing rooms.

What was exciting was that while the music group, PVT, Australia's foremost live electronic trio, was rehearsing, our tour group had the special access to listen to them from the back of the very stage that the trio stood on! I learnt that participants of the Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour will be treated to insiders sneak-peek. I wonder what the participants on the other Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tours were treated to?

Our tour guide for the evening, Robbie, was clearly enthusiastic and excited to be the first guide leading the first ever Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour. He wore a smile that was filled with excitement and joy throughout the entire tour.

The Opera Theatre.

During the tour, we also learnt the magic behind the famous Lighting the Sails. How did the Sydney Opera House transform into an icon of colour and light with moving digital projections? The secret will be revealed during the Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour.

As I had to catch a flight back to Singapore on the afternoon of 26 May 2012, I had to miss the opportunity to listen to many of the noteworthy performances such as PVT (AUS), Karen O for Stop The Virgens (USA), and more.

Each ticket to the Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour comes with a complimentary drink (house-wine, tea, coffee, soft drinks, sparkling wine) redeemable at the Vivid LIVE Festival Bar, The Bennelong Bowlo, which makes a cosy place for some dance or a drink.

Vivid LIVE Festival Bar.

I am very pleased with my choice of attending the Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour. It was a positive and memorable experience. I highly recommend it!

***

Vivid LIVE Stage Door Tour
Sydney Opera House
2 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.
http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/vivid_live_stage_door_tour.aspx
Tour Tickets sold separately to Vivid LIVE show tickets. Limited spaces available.
Price: AUD$55 per person (no concession price available)
Dates: 6pm before evening performances 25 May – 3 June 2012

Please also visit Vivid LIVE.

Also visit: Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

Sydney, May 2012: A time to heal and to be inspired

Sydney was the choice when I was deciding on how to spend a week away from my usual routine. It was originally the destination to visit for the month of May 2012 for a music exchange trip which has yet to materialize, and so my mind must have been primed to choose Sydney as one of the first options.

The possibility of spending some moments to reconnect with a few of my friends who are living in Sydney, the chance to visit scenic places and be closer to Nature, the temptation to take ferry rides across the Sydney Harbour, the chance to attend an interfaith service by Dr Stephanie Dowrick (one of my favourite authors) and the pleasure to catch the first night of Vivid Sydney were enticing factors that influenced to decide that Sydney was the place to visit.

In the upcoming posts to follow, I shall pen down some of my observations, experiences, thoughts and learning points from a recent visit to Sydney, from 20 to 26 May 2012. In these posts, take a glimpse of Vivid Sydney and the first Vivid Live Stage Door Tour, find out a few of the wonderful places to enjoy breakfast in Sydney, be moved by the beauty of Berowra Waters, North Head, Watsons Bay, Milsons Point, the Blue Mountains and more.

Nature is healing. I am grateful for the therapeutic effects that visiting National Parks, the Sydney Harbour, and many other places have on me. I am also deeply appreciative to my friends in Sydney for their kindness, hospitality and generosity. I am very thankful and grateful to the kindhearted folks whom I have met during my visit to Sydney. They have provided timely help, directions, guidance and kindness to me, the solo traveller.

What better way to share my gratitude and delight than to pen them down? May you find comfort and inspirations from the posts to come.

***
Also see: Sydney, May 2012