Tales from the South Pacific, July 13-29, 2011 - Page 20 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Great photos Larry, but it sounds like you had a slip and slide for some of them!
Yes. But it was a slow motion thing. I hit a patch of decking that felt frictionless and grabbed for the railing, but my legs continued to slide out from under me. I ended up going down on one knee before I managed to stop myself and get back upright.
I suspect the expression on my face was pretty priceless.
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We departed Scenic World and motored for a while to Leura, a very nice town where we had our lunch break. It's a bit touristy, but in a nice way, with lots of small cafes and shops. It's sort of a garden spot.
Heading to Leura.
Sue points to Richmond, NSW. Our tour originated in Richmond, VA.
We had a lovely lunch with Mick and Debbye in a cafe that Sladj recommended. I had a beautifully cooked lamb shank (falling off the bone) with mashed potatoes and some English Breakfast Tea.
We had a very nice view out the large windows at the back of the cafe. Unfortunately the picture does not do it justice.
After lunch we wandered around and in some of the shops, including a very charming year 'round Christmas shop.
It was nice to see that Gluten Free food was available in Leura.
A mural painted on a wall in a side alley.
I believe I took the next one because of the trees and the way the branches swept upward.
We departed Leura at the appointed time and went to a nearby cinema, where we saw a showing of the movie, "The Edge". This movie documents the discovery of a grove of very ancient pine trees in one of the valleys (the precise location is a closely guarded secret) that were believed to have gone extinct 65 million years ago. Needless to say, the discovery rocked Paleobotany. The people who filmed were helicoptered in and had to agree to be blindfolded so that they would be unable to return by themselves. The photography was beautiful and the story was quite compelling!
We then hoped back on the bus for the trip back to Sydney. We were not left alone with our thoughts, however. Sladj organized a Tour Trivia Contest. We broke into teams and answered a whole bunch of questions ["I didn't know there'd be a quiz!" wailed a number of folks both young and old. ]
Coming Up: The Promise of Better Weather and the Sydney Tower
Shortly before we were back in downtown Sydney, we saw something that boded well for better weather.
Tomorrow's weather promises to be quite a bit sunnier.
See the Harbour Bridge?
We then disgorged at the Sydney Tower. The elevators that go all the way to the top are not very large, so it took a while for all of us to reach the top.
Also, I gathered later that one of our number was claustrophobic, and was escorted up in an elevator with just one of the staff. A nice accommodation, I thought.
Lobby for the Sydney Tower.
Comparing heights of similar structures to the Tower.
It was getting late in the afternoon, so between the clearing sky and the sun angle and colors, it was a cracking good time to be up there. You could walk all the way around to get the 360 degree views of Sydney and its environs.
Looking down on part of Hyde Park.
I was there!
By the way, that backpack had to go through airport-like security before the trip up.
More of Hyde Park, including the ANZAC War Memorial.
Sigh.
One more!
We made our way down the Tower, and then walked over to the Food Court we had previously frequented for a bite of supper, though I wasn't all that hungry after the wonderful lamb at lunch.
I had a scoop of Strawberry Ice Cream and one of Mango Sorbet. Yummy!
It was dark by this time and we walked back to the hotel through Hyde Park, and I saw the Southern Cross in the sky! It's kind of a small thing when you just say it, but this constellation is not visible from the Northern Hemisphere, so I was thrilled!
Back at the hotel, I did a load of laundry before showering, shaving, and retiring for the night. What a great day!
Great photos from the tower. Looking at these give folks the idea Australia is jammed packed with buildings and people. It's amazing how the majority live in the 5 largest cities, and coastal communities - you go forever without seeing a town once you get 30 miles away from the coast.
Oh, my.... those shots of the golden sunset over the city!! How lucky that the skies cleared just at that moment-- made for such dramatic photos and clear views across Sydney.
First of all, it's nice to see someone else giddy about seeing the Southern Cross. I was thrilled when we were able to see it in Hawaii! My job was a planetarium operator at the time and I had so much fun showing my family the lovely sights in the evening sky. Ah, the memories. Anyway, I digress. The lamb lunch sounds yummy and the tower pics a great. What a fantastic way to see the city.
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Lunch does sound delicious! The views of Sydney, Fantastic!! The pre-prehistoric tree find just fascinates me. I'm surprised anyone could hide anything like that in this day and age! Leura sounds like a beautiful place.
Great photos from the tower. Looking at these give folks the idea Australia is jammed packed with buildings and people. It's amazing how the majority live in the 5 largest cities, and coastal communities - you go forever without seeing a town once you get 30 miles away from the coast.
I am not often a fan of big cities, but Sydney was great.
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
Oh, my.... those shots of the golden sunset over the city!! How lucky that the skies cleared just at that moment-- made for such dramatic photos and clear views across Sydney.
The view was spectacular--the photos of course only give you a slice of the panorama. I was very happy about the clearing weather.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sc507
Gorgeous pictures! How did you do on the impromptu quiz?
Thanks. Uh, I know my team didn't win. I think we were 6th or 8th or something like that. I didn't think it worthy of making a note.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchdisneyfamily
First of all, it's nice to see someone else giddy about seeing the Southern Cross. I was thrilled when we were able to see it in Hawaii! My job was a planetarium operator at the time and I had so much fun showing my family the lovely sights in the evening sky. Ah, the memories. Anyway, I digress. The lamb lunch sounds yummy and the tower pics a great. What a fantastic way to see the city.
Very giddy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Beautiful shots of the city from the Sydney Tower.
Thanks, Cheryl. It's at times like that I wish I was a better photographer but at least you get a taste.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ilovedisney247
I absolutely love that you had ice cream for dinner!
It was a large lamb shank! And I was on vacation!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny
The pre-prehistoric tree find just fascinates me. I'm surprised anyone could hide anything like that in this day and age! Leura sounds like a beautiful place.
Truly living fossils, and actually a conifer and not a true pine. I believe the area in which the grove was found is essentially wilderness and not that extensively explored in more recent times, though I expect the aboriginal inhabitants may have been there. Here is the Wikipedia reference, which has more information on the discovery and the work to preserve this critically endangered species. There are also pictures. One is of a cultivated specimen at a botanical garden, and you'll see that it is surrounded by a steel cage to prevent it from being stolen!
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