Google Maps showed two famous landmarks, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, were a 30-minute walk from my lodging off MacLeay Street. I decided I could get over to the picturesque vantage point on foot and return to my flat before 4:00 p.m., when my friend would pick me up.
I set out on my trek at 10:00 a.m. to take photos of those iconic structures. Although I had Google Maps to show me the way, I still made numerous wrong turns on my journey. (You don’t want me to navigate for you. I’m directionally impaired.) That “easy 30-minute walk” from my flat, around the harbor, and to the photo op point took 1½ hours. But no worries, I had plenty of time.
My journey took me around the south end of the harbor, where I spotted an old-fashioned diner decorated with bright murals—Harry’s Cafe de Wheels. I learned later the cafe was a major tourist attraction and a “must” for visiting celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Robert Mitchum, Marlene Dietrich, and surprisingly--Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame.
I set out on my trek at 10:00 a.m. to take photos of those iconic structures. Although I had Google Maps to show me the way, I still made numerous wrong turns on my journey. (You don’t want me to navigate for you. I’m directionally impaired.) That “easy 30-minute walk” from my flat, around the harbor, and to the photo op point took 1½ hours. But no worries, I had plenty of time.
My journey took me around the south end of the harbor, where I spotted an old-fashioned diner decorated with bright murals—Harry’s Cafe de Wheels. I learned later the cafe was a major tourist attraction and a “must” for visiting celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Robert Mitchum, Marlene Dietrich, and surprisingly--Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame.
Harry's Cafe de Wheels. I loved the retro Coca-Cola sign and hand-painted murals. On the far right is the classic image of a Navy sailor kissing a woman.
Continuing on past Harry’s Cafe, I finally reached the vantage point and caught sight of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and Sydney's downtown skyline. It was nearly impossible to take a bad photo that day. The sun was shining, skies were clear, and sailboats were scattered on the deep blue water. My photos looked exactly like postcards you can buy at the souvenir stores. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad
Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
City skyline, Sydney, Australia
I finished shooting, thought about my 4:00 p.m. afternoon commitment, and checked my watch. It was already 1:00 p.m. and time to mosey back to my flat. The sidewalk led me directly past the entrance to the Royal Botanic Garden and I decided to make a quick tour of the palm garden.
I would just pop into the Royal Botanic Garden for a few minutes. Really! It would be just a few....
Fruiting maya palm tree (Gaussia maya). Something I'd never seen before. This species is native to Central American rainforests, where its trunk is occasionally harvested for construction.
Fascinating tree trunk in the botanical garden. When I was a kid I used to climb trees like a monkey. I wanted to climb this one and sit on a branch.
I visited the botanical garden in April, which was at the end of blooming season. But this lovely flower smiled at me and I made its portrait.
