The Sydney Experience
The Sydney experience started mid August 2001. I accepted a 2 year position at the University of New South Wales as a research assistant and resigned from my job in Melbourne. Early March 2002 I also enrolled at the uni to study my Master of Science. Since I didn't know much about Sydney, I planed to do as much exploring as possible. I hope that many of the adventures will be reported here, and hopefully with some photographs as well.
A New Place to Live
When I first got to Sydney I stayed with my friends Gabe and Julie. I slept on a futon mattress on the floor of the loungeroom and my wardrobe was their couch. This arrangement lasted for 3 months, during which time a baby Rainbow Lorrikeet also came to live. Because of the bird's tendency to bite me, I (fondly) call her 'Cranky'!! Cranky and I shared the loungeroom, and I must say that Cranky was a very restless roommate!In November 2001 I moved into a 1 bedroom apartment, about 5 km from the city, in the suburb of Kensington. I am very close to Centennial Park which is quite a large park and I spend time there for some relief from the noise of the traffic. I live on quite a busy street, and for some reason the traffic noise seems to magnify by the time it reaches my third floor flat. I think it will be nice here, once I get used to the traffic noise.
Near Centennial Park are the Fox Studios. This is an interesting place, but what I like most is the Farmers Market which is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Obviously I don't go on Wednesdays because I'm at work, but I often go on Saturdays. The market is quite small, but there are fresh fruits and vegetables sold there, as well as many other products. For example, there is a berry farm that sells not only fresh berries, but also berry sauces, vinegars, cordials and a liqueur. You can get everything there from olive oil to chili and lime cordial and lavender soaps!! There is also a stall there that sells Danish waffles, and they are to die for!
The beach is not far away either, and I started frequenting a small inlet called Clovelly Bay. This is quite a nice place for snorkelling and cooling off after a hot day.
The best part about where I live is that I no longer have to rely on public transport to get me to work and back. I live a 25 minute walk from work, and it takes about 10 minutes if I ride my bicycle. The funny thing is, that when I was living with Gabe and Julie, I had to leave the house by 7 am to ensure that I made it to work by 9 am (though mostly I was there about 8:15). Now that I am only half an hour from work, I struggle to be out of bed by 8 am! I blame the traffic noise for me not sleeping well!!!! I guess there are other reasons like my bed is also more comfortable (futon mattresses on the floor are not terribly comfortable) and there is no Cranky to wake me up. I guess I will get used to the flat soon enough.
Stay tuned for my Sydney travels and photos.
Photographs of the Blue Mountains
Sea kayaking around Pittwater, Sept 2002
One morning at Beuladelah on the farm
Photos from Blue mountains, Jenolan caves, Royal national park and Shoalhaven River, and more from Mt. Banks and kayaking the shoalhaven, and a couple more working on soil blocks at work
Our field trip to a farm at Marulan, June 2002
Bushwalking in the Blue Mountains ~ Up the Castle Stairs, June 2002
A day spent in a helicopter, April 2002
A storm at Port Stephens....AHEM...
Bushwalking in the Blue Mountains ~ Fedral Pass, March 2002
Cycling capital Canberra, Day 1 and day 2
Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park