18 Nov 2010: The refreshing Blue Mountains

18 Nov 2010, Thu:

It was yet another day of touring Sydney with the AAT (Australian Accomodated Tours) Kings. Our tour was to bring us to Blue Mountains and the Featherdale Wildlife Park. After breakfast, I was ready to head to the Holiday Inn Darling Harbour to wait for the coach. Breakfast is as usual, wonderful.

The coach headed West of Sydney. That meant that we travelled across the Anzac Bridge! We had very good luck to have Steve as our tour guide and driver. He drove safely and he offered very interesting commentary throughout the journey. Some of the commentary included the way of life of the people in Sydney.


Our first stop for the day was the cosy town of Leura. It was a beautiful little town along the Blue Mountains Railway Line. I was attracted to the slower pace of life at Leura. I bought my lunch at the town of Leura. It was a chicken and salad sandwich.

Soon, it was time to leave Leura to head for the Echo Point of Blue Mountains. One thing I have to try to come to terms with when it comes to joining a tour group was that we have to stick to the limited schedule. We had only 20 minutes at Echo Point. Echo Point has the reputation to be one of the best look-out point in the Blue Mountains. Here, one can get a good view of the rock formation known as the Three Sisters.

When we stopped at Echo Point, I was thankful that one of the passengers on the same tour helped me to take a few photographs with the Three Sisters in the background. Perhaps it was because my state of health was better than the day before, I could muster the energy to strike conversations with a few of the passengers who were on the same tour.

Our next stop was the Scenic World. We had about two hours at Scenic World to spend the way we would like. I decided to purchase a ticket that would allow me a ride on the Scenic Railway, a ride on the Scenic Cableway and a return trip on the Scenic Skyway.

I took the Scenic Railway that plunged me down to an ancient rainforest about 415 m below. It was reputed to be the steepest incline railway in the world. I still recalled that I was feeling frightened when I last took the Scenic Railway about two years ago. Two years later, on 18 Nov 2010 when I took it once again, it was a positive sign that I could manage the descent with greater ease.

I found out that the descent had such an impact that all the juices from the beetroot of the sandwich that I had bought at Leura had oozed out and caused a bit of mess. The learning point is that if I were to take the Scenic Railway, it may help to either put all food in ziplock bags or to buy the food only after taking the Scenic Railway. Anyway, I was feeling quite proud of myself for managing the descent onboard Scenic Railway.

After getting off Scenic Railway, I wandered about the Scenic Walkway. I wished I had a bit more time to walk about the Scenic Walkway.  The Scenic Walkway comprises 2.8 km of boardwalk through an ancient rainforest. I enjoyed hearing the sounds of Nature as I journeyed the Scenic Walkway. Due to the limited time, I had to choose a very short path to walk about. That meant I did not walk the entire 2.8 km boardwalk. That, I supposed, was the trade-off for visiting Blue Mountains with a tour group. On the more positive note, it meant that I had more time to visit another place in Sydney other than the Blue Mountains on that same day.

After some hiking about the Scenic Walkway, I took the Scenic Cableway up the valley. I enjoyed the ride way better than the previous time. I wonder whether being more familiar with the ride could have helped boost my level of ease and confidence in taking the Scenic Cableway?

My favourite of all the rides was the Scenic Skyway. I was very lucky that on my first trip on Scenic Skyway, the cabin had relatively few passengers and that afforded me a pretty good view onboard the Scenic Skyway. The Electro-Sceniglass floor continued to amaze me even though it was not my first time riding the Scenic Skyway. I still find it intriguing how at the flip of a switch, passengers could see through the cabin floor some breathtaking views of the Katoomba Falls and the valley underneath.

Passengers onboard Scenic Skyway could also have a pretty good view of the Three Sisters rock formation. The most exciting part was that I felt I was riding a magical cabin across the valley. The ride felt like I had taken some kind of horizontal flight.

After I had taken all the various rides, it was time for me to start having my lunch before it was time to board the coach. That was not an easy task since the impact from the Scenic Railway had the sandwich, that I had bought for lunch, rather shattered from the oozing of the beetroot juices. Nevertheless, I was contented that I had food to make me fill me up after close to two hours of hike and taking rides about the Blue Mountains.

I would prefer to have more time to explore the Blue Mountains on my own. In fact, I missed the solo hikes that I had taken about the Blue Mountains when I last visited it about two years ago. A solo hike demanded more of me emotionally, physically and perhaps spiritually, than merely visiting the Blue Mountains with a tour group.

Nevertheless, thanks to good coordination by AAT Kings tour agency, the wonderful tour guide-cum-driver and the kind folks onboard the coach, I very much enjoyed visiting Blue Mountains with a tour group as it offered me a less physically tiring trip to the Blue Mountains and allowed me to have the time to visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park, our next destination, on the same day.



****
People and moments that I am grateful for:
1) I am thankful for a wonderful tour guide and a group of kind tour-mates onboard the coach. I had managed to strike some interesting conversations with a few of them.
2) I am thankful for a good weather.
3) I am grateful to Nature for providing such beautiful and awesome creations.

New things that I did:
1) I visited Blue Mountains with a tour group.

My learning points:
1) It helps not to bring food or fragile items onboard the Scenic Railway.
2) Every event has its merits. Look for it and one will feel blessed. While I would prefer visiting Blue Mountains on my own, a trip there with the tour group offered me a different experience that allowed me convenience in many ways.


****

AAT (Australian Accomodated Tours) Kings

AAT Kings Tours Head Office
Level 7, 35 Grafton Street
Bondi Junction, NSW 2022
Tel: +61 (2) 9028 5182 (outside Australia)
Tel: 1300 AAT KINGS (1300 228 546)
Email: direct@aatkings.com.au

Blue Mountains
http://www.bluemts.com.au

17 Nov 2010: The Evening at Darling Harbour

17 Nov 2010, Wed:

I was rather tired after a day out at the Australian Reptile Park and Port Stephens. At the same time, I was delighted to have seen dolphins swimming in the wild. Thank goodness for good luck.

On the way back to the Sydney city, I admired the vast lands from the windows of the coach. I was lucky that I also saw cows, horses and haystacks from the coach. I was also delighted to cross the Harbour Bridge on the coach. On the ride back to the city area, I had the privilege to catch a glimpse of the Sydney Opera House from Harbour Bridge, on the coach. That fondly made me recall my walk across the Harbour Bridge with my friend, RL, the day before.

The bus brought me to a part of Chinatown nearby Goulburn Street. I visited the hotel for a while and afterwhich, head for the scenic Darling Harbour. On my way, I passed by the Ferris Wheel which was known as "Sky View". This was a feature at the Darling Harbour area that was new to me. When I visited Sydney in 2008, Sky View was non-existent. I wondered who would be the ones who would enjoy hopping onboard the Ferris Wheel to be taken for a ride in a circular path?

Darling Harbour has an air of romance and artistic flair to it. I particularly like it during the morning hours and the evening times. Does the people who visit Darling Harbour make it what it is? Or is it Darling Harbour that makes its visitors enter a world with a slower pace of life and artistic flair.

I had a craving for seafood because I was in Sydney, where seafood is fresh as it can be. I ended up having dinner at Blue Fish Seafood Restaurant. I ordered its Fish and Chips. The choice could be understood if you learn that Blue Fish was voted Australia's Favourite Fish and Chips in the Lifestyle Food Channel's 'I Love Food' Awards'.

I like its lightly textured batter which was not oily. I also like the tenderly fresh fish and the good-tasting tartar sauce. As for the chips, I would prefer the chips from Sandbars Cafe, Port Stephens. Nevertheless, the Fish and Chips was as a whole good enough to satisfy. I also liked the ginger tea that I had ordered. This place played nice soft jazz-style music, and that added a gentle air of creativity to the ambience of the restaurant.

After the dinner, I decided I could do a bit of sketching. Yes, sketching when it was turning dark. Perhaps to some extent, the artistic ambience of the Darling Harbour also got me in touch with the human side of myself. I have a darker side as well that I am learning to tolerate and to seek to improve with each passing day. I had many questions on my mind. Could I learn to trust that the process of life would help me in the quest for the answers? Whatever questions or darker side I could have, sketching was therapeutic. I did my first night-time sketch in Sydney at the Darling Harbour only to realise that it was already 9.30 p.m. when I had completed the sketch. tt did not feel as if it was that late. It was just 6.30 p.m. Singapore time anyway.

People and moments that I am grateful for:
1) The weather was good throughout the day. Knowing that it had been raining the week before, I was grateful for the good weather.
2) I was grateful for a delicious dinner at Blue Fish.
3) I was treated to a beautiful view of Darling Harbour when I leisurely enjoyed dinner at Blue Fish. The folks at Blue Fish were generally hospitable.
4) I was grateful for the scenic views at Darling Harbour.

New things that I did:
1) I did my first night-time sketch in Sydney.
2) It was my first visit to Blue Fish Seafood Restaurant.

****
Blue Fish
http://www.bluefishsydney.com.au
Level 1, 287 Harbourside Promenade, Darling Harbour 
Sydney, Australia
Tel: +61 (02) 92110315
Email: info@bluefishsydney.com.au

Read: The Highly Sensitive Person

Title: The Highly Sensitive Person
Author: Elaine N. Aron
Publisher: Element, (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)

This was a recent book that I have read. It seemed that I could have browsed through it many years ago at the library. This book provides a glimpse of highly sensitive people. The author herself is a highly sensitive person herself.

This book focuses on the strengths of people who are highly sensitive and offers insight into raising a sensitve child. For myself, I like this book because some of its fundamentally principles are highly influenced by Carl Jung, who was the person who inspired Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers to develop the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

I guess one key learning point I have gathered from reading this book is to learn to celebrate our own individual uniqueness as assets, while developing strategies to cope better in our respective environment. This is quite a useful book to read if you or a loved one could be a highly sensitive person.

***
Also see: http://www.hsperson.com

17 Nov 2010: The Four Wheel Drive Tours

17 Nov 2010, Wed:

After the enchanting dolphin watching cruise, the tour group was led to enjoy the Four Wheel Drive Tour (also known as "4WD") and to attempt sandboarding. We were brought to a place with sand dunes. If I had got it correct, we were brought by the tour coach to Stockton Beach. The Stockton Beach stretches from Stockton (a suburb of Newcastle) to Anna Bay, a suburb in the Port Stephens area.

I was rather awed by the sand dunes and the massive areas of sand. Nature is marvellous.

We got off the coach and board the vehicle for the Four Wheel Drive Tour. Yes, I was travelling on a massive area of sand. It was quite a new experience.

The four wheel vehicle brought us to an area where we learnt how to sandboard. The gist is that one must constantly keep one's toes and feet touching one end of the sandboard. Honestly, I am not the expert in sandboarding because I decided not to give sandboarding a try that day. I merely stood by the side and watched others who gave sandboarding a try.

After the sandboarding experience, the four wheel vehicle got us close to the beach area. I awe at the expansive area of sandy beach. Much of my time was spent admiring the spacious plot of land and the natural sound of the rhythmic waves.

I guess I would not have had the chance to visit this place if not for the fact that I had joined a tour group. Travelling to Stockton Beach on my own would probably have meant that I would have to stay overnight at Port Stephens.

During the tour, I struck a few conversations with fellow guests who were from Singapore. That day happened to be a public holiday in Singapore. It was Hari Raya Haji. I wonder if that had led many people from Singapore to travel overseas for a short get-away?

People and moments that I am grateful for:
1) I am grateful for the good weather.
2) I am thankful for the beautiful sights onboard the tour.

New things that I did:
1) I learnt how to sandboard, although I did not attempt it.
2) I had a pretty cool ride on the Four Wheel Drive Tour.
3) It was my first visit to Stockton Beach. It's beautiful.

My learning points:
Nature is wonderful. One way to help preserve it to continue to bring us beauty is to respect it.

****
Port Stephens 4WD Tours
http://www.portstephens4wd.com.au/index.php
Shop 3, 35 Stockton Street
Nelson Bay, NSW 2315
Email: info@portstephens4wd.com.au

The hawker-food lover's book: The End of Char Kway Teow

 
Congratulations to Dr Leslie Tay for the successful publication of his latest book on Singapore's local hawker food-fare, entitled "The End of Char Kway Teow and Other Hawker Mysteries". In case you do not know, Dr Leslie Tay is the author of the local food blog ieatipostishoot.sg.

I have had the privilege and good luck to get myself a place to the book launch of "The End of Char Kway Teow and Other Hawker Mysteries" at Littered with Books on 18 Dec 2010. The book launch was made possible thanks to Timeout Magazine, Littered with Books, Kim Joo Guan Bak Kwa and VCTAsia.

It was my first visit to the recently opened independent bookstore, Littered with Books. I like its cosy and homely ambience. If not for the fact that I have practised being prudent in buying books, I might have a challenging time resisting the urge to buy shelves of books from the store to collect. The folks at Littered with Books are known to be book-lovers. They seem to have a genuine love for books and they were ready to help anyone who wants to find a good read. The bookstore has a cosy cafe on the ground floor. Non-fiction books lovers like myself would love to browse the second floor's treats to non-fiction literature. I love the air-well which can be found at the bookstore too.

Back to the book launch, Dr Leslie Tay shared with the community what has eventually led to the publication of his latest book. He was an accidental author indeed. He spoke about why he thought that the local delight, Char Kway Teow, may be at the verge of extinction in time to come. Healthy conscious attitudes and the fact that frying Char Kway Teow is in itself a great art could be what could eventually lead to its extinction, as best as I have understood. One of Dr Leslie Tay's suggestions was that one could get a Hepatitis vaccination. Another interesting anecdote that was shared during the book launch was Dr Leslie Tay's conviction that bak kut teh is an original Singapore dish.

What better ways to conclude the book launch than an autograph session. I had purchased copies of "The End of Char Kway Teow and Other Hawker Mysteries" and was very glad to have all the copies thoughtfully autographed by Dr Leslie Tay.

"The End of Char Kway Teow and Other Hawker Mysteries" is sold at 28 dollars per copy. It is available at various bookstores. I read that collected funds from the sales of this book will be donated to the School Building Fund in Sandakan, Malaysia. The run-raising goal is targeted at 22 thousand dollars. What better way than buying this book to both be charitable and to enjoy a good book that has wonderfully romanticised photographs of our local hawker foodfare?

****
TimeOut Singapore
http://www.timeoutsingapore.com


Littered with Books
20 Duxton Road
Singapore 089586
From 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesdays to Sundays.
Tel: 62206824.

17 Nov 2010: I'm back in Port Stephens

17 Nov 2010, Wed:

I was excited to be back in Port Stephens once again. I felt thankful that I had taken the extra step to book for a dolphin watching cruise with the tour agent just to make sure that if I had not met any dolphin on 15 Nov 2010, I could hopefully catch sight of a wild dolphin on another day. Would I see any dolphin when I return to Port Stephens on 17 Nov 2010?

The coach brought the tour group to Port Stephens from the Australian Reptile Park. When I caught sight of d'Alboro Marinas at Nelsons Bay, I felt a positive sense of familiarity as if I was back home. Before the cruise started, we were given some time to have our lunch. Some of the members of the tour had signed up for the packages where they could have lunch onboard the cruise. For myself, I had initially wanted to have lunch at the Rock Lobster Seafood Restaurant but since it was busy with many guests, so I changed my mind and settled for a meal from Subway.

The cruise operator for our dolphin-watching cruise was Moonshadow Cruises. The cruise was a huge vessel. There was even a small bar that was serving chips and light refreshment. When it was 1.30 p.m., the cruise set sail in search for dolphins. On the cruise, I happily enjoyed the breeze onboard and the beautiful scenery.

The cruise was one-and-a-half hour in duration. When someone shouted "dolphins", everyone onboard the cruise got ourselves ready to marvel at the beauty of the dolphins. We saw several pairs of dolphins. See if you spot where the dolphins were in the photograph below.

The staff of Moonshadow Cruises were well-organised and were thoughtful. They helped to ensure that all passengers get their chance to be as close to the viewing deck as possible so that everyone could enjoy a glimpse of dolphins swimming in the wild. One pair of dolphins swam right under the cruise vessel and I had the pleasure to catch glimpses of them swimming with the cruise.

I was busy admiring the dolphins swimming so I have no good photograph to show. Here is a link to Port Stephens' Facebook page where you can catch a glimpse of how it would be to see dolphin swimming: http://www.facebook.com/portstephenstourism#!/video/video.php?v=449978987884

Here is a video taken from Moonshadow's website:

After a hearty viewing of the dolphins, the dolphins seemed to find themselves another place to rest. Moonshadow Cruises have its special way to delight its guests. After viewing wild dolphins, we were treated to the ambassador of Moonshadow, a dolphin mascot! Everyone who had wanted to, could get up very close to our dolphin mascot.

The Moonshadow Cruises also arranged for a special swim for the eager guests right onboard the cruise. There was a special net area where one could happily swim away as the cruise vessel moved. Did you see how much the children and guests have enjoyed themselves?

My favourite part of the cruise was to enjoy watching dolphins and to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Now I could happily share that I have seen dolphins swimming in the wild. I am extremely grateful for the chance to see the dolphins onboard the cruise.

People and moments that I am grateful for:
1) Here I thank the thoughtful staff members from Moonshadow Cruises for organising the cruise and making it a memorable experience.
2) I am grateful for the beautifully good weather.
3) I am thankful that I have managed to see dolphins swimming in the wild. This was one of my key aims of my trip.

New things that I did:
1) I saw dolphins swimming in the wild. Yeah!

My learning points:
1) When we want to accomplish something that is dear to us, make contingency plans and allow for room to make as many attempts as possible. In order to ensure that I get to see whales and dolphins, I had planned for two separate trips to Port Stephens. This was worthwhile.
2) In the event that we have yet to achieve our desired outcome, be happy anyway. At the very least, we have tried our best.

With this post, I wish you delight in whatever you care to do.


****
Moonshadow Cruises

Shop 3, 35 Stockton Street
Nelson Bay, New South Wales 2315
Tel: +61 (0) 2 4984 9388
Fax: +61 (0) 2 4984 9788
Email: info@moonshadow.com.au

17 Nov 2010: Mammals in the Australian Reptile Park?

17 Nov 2010, Wed:

This was yet another special day. I was to revisit Port Stephens, with a tour group. During my visit to Port Stephens on 15 Nov 2010, I did not get to see any dolphin (except those on the postcards). I kept my fingers crossed that I would be rewarded with sightings of dolphins in the wild on 17 Nov 2010.

After a hearty and rejuvenating breakfast, I headed to Holiday Inn Darling Harbour to wait for the transfer coach. The Holiday Inn Darling Harbour has an interesting history. I learnt that the northern wing of the hotel was formerly a wool store. I like the heritage looking architecture of the hotel.

The transfer coach brought the tourists to a coach terminal where we each proceeded to our respective designated coaches. The tour provider for the tour was AAT Kings. It is said to be Australia's and New Zealand'sleading escorted holiday tour operator. My coach was to take me to two key places namely the Australian Reptile Park and Port Stephens.

I realised that the coach driver doubled as the tour guide. That must have taken the tour guide a lot of amazing skills set: to drive, to be learned in heritage and the locality, and to communicate effectively.

On the way to the Australian Reptile Park and Port Stephens, coach travelled north and crossed the Harbour Bridge. My goodness, I have crossed the Harbour Bridge on another mode of transport, i.e. coach.

When we reached th Australian Reptile Park, one of the rangers greeted us together with one of the stars of the morning, a small-size alligator. I asked ranger how he had managed to tame the alligator. I learnt that because the alligator had been nurtured since young by human beings, they were hence tamed and non-aggressive.

Although I was in a reptile park, I realised I was not a favourite fan of reptiles. I was more looking forward to reach Port Stephens. Delightfully, I was nicely distracted by the fact that mammals such as a the koala bears were being raised in the Australian Reptile Park. Wow, I suppose the koala bears were there not because they were reptiles but because they were a good representation of Australian wildlife. I spent quite a bit of time at the koala enclosure. The reward for me was that I had managed to capture on digital film a photograph of myself with a koala bear that was awake. That was a blessing and fortune since a koala bear sleeps an average of 20 hours per day. Technically, they may not be sleeping, they could be digesting their food.

The Australian Reptile Park also housed spiders just that I did not take much interest in the spiders.I must admit that I was figuring out how to while my time away at the Australian Reptile Park after I have seen the koala bears. To be fair, I was told that the Australian Reptile Park does some wonderful and extensive research work on both Australian reptiles and spiders. It was just that I needed someone who's madly in love with reptiles and spiders to inspire me to know how to appreciate these animals.

Back then, I was looking forward to Port Stephens and the dolphin-watching cruise. Reptiles? I shall be grateful that I get to know a bit more about reptiles.

People and moments that I am grateful for:
1) The weather was surprisingly and wonderfully good.
2) The drive drove safely even though he had to wear several hats. Good job!
3) The koala bear woke up when I touched it so I had a photo taken with an awake koala bear.
4) The Australian Reptile Park was thoughtful to include an enclosure that housed koala bears. While it is a reptile park, I must say that this place has one of the most interactive koala bears enclosure that I have seen in Sydney thus far.
5) The ranger at the koala bear enclosure was very kind to share with me the names of the koala bears. She seemed to be someone who takes pride in her work. Great for the koala bears and us tourists.

New things that I did:
1) I visited the Australian Reptile Park.
2) I stepped into the enclosures for spiders even though I admittedly did not have much interest for spiders that day.
3) I touched a koala bear for the first time in my life.

My learning points:
1) First thing first. It pays to start sightseeing by going for what one loves first. I like to see koala bears so the koala bear enclosure was one of my first stops even though I was in the Australian Reptile Park. As such, when I stepped out of the Australian Reptile Park, I have seen what was most important to me, i.e. the koala bears.

****
AAT (Australian Accomodated Tours) Kings
AAT Kings Tours Head Office
Level 7, 35 Grafton Street
Bondi Junction, NSW 2022
Tel: +61 (2) 9028 5182
Tel: 1300 AAT KINGS (1300 228 546)
Email: direct@aatkings.com.au


Australian Reptile Park
Pacific Highway
Somersby
NSW 2250
Tel: +61 (2) 4340 1022 (International phone)
Tel: 02 4340 1022
Email: admin@reptilepark.com.au

16 Nov 2010: The peaceful Milsons Point

16 Nov 2010, Thu:

Learning to go with the flow presents one with wonderful blessings. I let go of the obsession to visit Rose Bay and in return, I was treated to a memorable visit to the tranquil and peaceful Milsons Point with a wonderful friend. I was very happy with my choice. Many thanks to my dear friend, RL, for the extra mile that she took to walk me to Milsons Point. I felt touched by her kind and generous gesture.

The view of the Harbour Bridge from Milsons Point was awesome. I later found out that "Milsons Point was named after James Milson (1785-1872), a free settler originally from Lincolnshire who settled in the then-almost uninhabited district in 1824. " (Source: wikipedia).

It was comparatively quieter at Milsons Point than at Circular Quay. I welcomed the opportunity to view the Harbour Bridge from another perspective different from that when I was looking from Circular Quay. One thing that I appreciate about Milsons Point was its general ambience of peace and tranquility. I like the greenery there too.The view of sunset was beautiful from Milsons Point. It was a very wonderful place to spend time reflecting. I think I could have fell in love with it.

My friend and I spotted an interesting looking toilet. It was not that we needed the toilet, I was simply amazed by the interesting features of the modern looking toilet in the middle of Milsons Point. I suppose that was a sign to tell me that Milsons Point was a place that was way ahead of its time? Whatever it is, I hope that decades later, Milsons Point will continue to be beautiful and tranquil.

More wonderful than the beautiful scenery at Milsons Point was the precious opportunity to catch up with one of my good friends. Beside a great chat, I fondly remember the simple joy of reading a Chinese book out aloud to my dear friend. It was something I don't usually do. I read, though I seldom read Chinese books out aloud. I did not know that simple things like reading out aloud to a friend could bring such delight and pleasure. I was glad to be reminded of the power of the simple things in our lives.

When it was time to part with my friend, I continued to spend some time at Milsons Point to sketch. I was more productive in sketching in a foreign land than in my own country. I suppose my body is urging me to slow down my pace of life and to treat myself to new experiences.

When it was late evening, I headed to the nearby wharf. I had no idea how I could get myself back to the hotel. Somehow, I had learnt to be more trusting of life. I had a trust that somehow I could figure things out. With some help, I finally figured out which would be the ferry that I could take to Circular Quay. While waiting for the ferry, I was acquainted with a lady from Malaysia. She was waiting for a ferry so as to get to Circular Quay and then to head to the Sydney Opera House to catch a dance performance. I hope she had caught the performance in time.

That night, I had dinner at Cha For Tea nearby Goulburn Street. Afterwhich, I visited Coles the supermarket to buy some light snack for the next day.

16 Nov 2010 was a good day and I have had fun with my spontaneous get-away as a tourist.


People and moments that I am grateful for:
1) I thank my dear friend for her precious company at Milsons Point, and the extra mile that she had went to accompany me to Milsons Point.
2) I was grateful for the wonderful scenery at Milsons Point.
3) I was grateful for a chance to be of some service to a friend by delighting her with my reading of a Chinese book. That helped me practise reading in Chinese too.

New things that I did:
1) I visited Milsons Point for the very first time.
2) I learnt to take a ferry from Milsons Point to Circular Quay without any guide book to rely on.

My learning points:
1) Make time to share time with friends and family, this is precious.
2) Going with the flow and letting go have their blessings.
3) Trust the process of life to bring us where we need to be.
4) Walk the extra mile. This action in itself brings positive effects to its recipients.

16 Nov 2010: The trees with purple flowers and the Harbour Bridge cross

16 Nov 2010 (Tue):

During my visit to Sydney, I was attracted to one particular species of tree. It has purple flowers and it blossomed in glory during the spring period. I do not remember seeing it in early spring two years ago during my last visit to Sydney. So when I met up with my dear friend, RL, I casually asked if she knew what tree that was. We happen to see a few of such trees near the Museum of Contemporary Art. Does anyone know the name of this tree with purple flowers?

I have found out the name of the tree after I returned to Singapore. Anyway, have fun figuring its name out.

So where next would the spontaneous tourist go? My friend and I decided that we would use the ladies first. So we have went to a nearby ladies recommended by my friend. It was generally clean. After our visit to the ladies, when my friend asked me where I would liek to go, I wonder if she would find me a bit fixated that my mind was still contemplating to catch one of the the last ferries to Rose Bay, and then return back.

She suggested an alternative, and I decided to go along with the flow. It was rare to have the chance to catch up with a friend and I supposed I would be happy sacrificing my visit to Rose Bay. I was, indeed.

Sydney city along George Street was full of urban activities and I felt rather overwhelmed. My friend, RL, showed me to some quieter streets in the city of Sydney. Eventually, she walked the extra mile and accompanied me to cross the Harbour Bridge. It was to be my first time crossing the Harbour Bridge on foot. The view was amazing. It was simple yet there was something delightful about the harbour view from the Harbour Bridge.

I think it would be a special bonus if a wise person discovers my love for the harbour view and engages me to be the resident tourist of Sydney for at least a few months. Then I could do some of the things that I love to do: share with people about the beauty of places that others may not see, to write, and to sketch.

I realised my friend was feeling cold and hungry by the time when we reached the other end of the Harbour Bridge. Ooops, I figured I had went too deep into the mode of being a spontaneous tourist, I could do with a bit more sensitivity.

We walked towards Milsons Point, strongly recommended by my friend. On our way, we saw a beautiful church, Church by the Bridge. I fell in love with the evening skies of that day. It was a great blessing to enjoy such lovely sights with a good friend.


***
People and moments that I am grateful for:
1) My dear friend, RL, went the extra mile to walk with me to the other end of Harbour Bridge. She need not, and I am touched that she did.
2) I am grateful for good weather and lovely sights when I crossed the Harbour Bridge.
3) I am grateful for a loan of camera which allowed me to take all the photos in this post, and the rest to come, to share with my readers.

New things that I did:
1)  I've crossed the Harbour Bridge on foot for the first time in my life.

***