What a wonderful couple of weeks we've had! A visit from the New Zealand MTC president, Lynn Wood and his wife, Shirlee; working with Mission Presidents near and far; teaching seminars on "Who Moved My Cheese?" (definitely not our idea, or our "thing," but they asked us to--and we did it) because of the possible upcoming changes in the Area Offices here; running into our former Perth missionaries--life here is good. The weather is turning into spring, and everything is all abloom, so things are great. We miss home--but it's good here!
During the week, we heard that everything in town was booked up because of the International Dragon Boat races. Dragon boat races??? We checked into it, and went to see the opening ceremonies in nearby Parramatta. Apparently, it is quite a sport, with boats that have (yes!) dragon heads on the front and dragon tails on the back, and the team sits in a row down the boat--and paddles. (They do not row, we found out!) They even have a drummer in the back of the boat to help the paddlers keep in rhythm! The whole concept originated in China, but has become quite popular, and teams had come from all over the world--about 2000 participants--to compete. The opening ceremony was held on the Parramatta River--close to where we live, and the actual competitions were throughout the week out at Penrith, at the Olympic Rowing site. And yes--the US has a team, and they were here!
On Saturday, we left early to catch the 7:15 a.m. ferry into Sydney. These rides are fabulous--down the beautiful Parramatta River we go, and the ride takes about 45 minutes to land us right at Circular Quay (pronounced "Key"), which is the hub for catching trains, buses, or other ferries to different parts of town. This particular morning, we had a few minutes before catching our next ferry, so stepped onto the wharf and had an apple cinnamon twist for breakfast! Yum!
Our next ferry took us across the harbor to Mosmon Point, where strolled out--in lots of wind and a little rain--to a beautiful point on the water, looking across the bay toward the city. (Good thing we combed our hair!)
From there we strolled around Mosmon Bay, with the water on one side, and beautiful old, elegant homes on the other.
Some wonderful dedicated couple had, out of their own pockets, planted acres of beautiful gardens along the pathway--full of blooms and trees and bushes and buds of every kind, fountains, rock pathways, arbors, and rock gardens that were so beautiful!
And there--so beautiful, was the little bay, with boats bobbing in the water, gulls flying overhead, and the six of us Americans--grateful to be there!
At the back end of the bay, we caught another ferry back to Circular Quay, where we had an early lunch at Vittorio's--right on the wharf: excellent Italian food--and such a sight and atmosphere!
After lunch, it was a short stroll to the Sydney Opera House for a marvelous matinee production (sold out!) of "The Gondoliers" by Gilbert and Sullivan. It is so light-hearted and fun, but was done sooooo well, and we loved it.
At the "interval" (intermission), we strolled out into hallways made of glass which looked over the water and across to the Sydney Harbor Bridge. With the water lapping at the shore right beneath our feet, and with the waves from passing barges, ferries and sailboats, we had the sensation that we were on a cruise ship--having the time of our lives! Marvelous!
3 comments:
I am so jealous! You guys have way too much fun. Those pictures are beautiful and they really make me miss Australia.
It seems to me that you guys just have too much fun. I think you've accomplished more touristy stuff in your last three or four P-days than you did in your entire mission to Perth. Would you have even had time to blog when you lived in Perth? :)c
By the way, I read Who Moved My Cheese years ago by recommendation of Dad, I believe. It's a good way to remember the importance of going with the flow of things. :) Love you guys. Keep up the good work on the mission as well as with the blog!
Hey it's great to see your new blog and all the photos! It does look like you are having a nice 'vacation' down there, haha. We love and miss you.
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