After a late night for Michael and I, we had a later start to the day so we decided to check out the Royal Botanical Gardens. It is located in downtown Sydney. We chose to take the train so I started the morning with the HILL. I’m finding not as difficult so maybe all the walking I have been doing is paying off. I walk 83000+ steps from Monday to Sunday according to my FitBit.
Being late summer, the gardens were not at their best especially the rose garden but there is still a lot of local and other vegetation to see. I saw and heard my first Kookoburro today but due to their coloration, was unable to get a good photo.
There was an exhibit of carnivorious plants that we saw. The video presentations were very informative. For example, I did not know that the Australian Desert is home to two carnivoius plants.
We made out way to Lady MacQuaries Chair where we got photos of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. It brought back memories as this was on of the first stops on my Contiki Tour in 1988. I’m looking forward to comparing the photos.
Interesting fact for the day. The photo with the caption is a fountain in the park. The water not only contains fish but also eels. The park has drained the fountain in order to remove the eels but somehow they keep returning.
After enjoying a picnic lunch in the park, we made plans to go the Queen Victoria Building. We’d stopped at one of the park exits to check the map and in doing so, I put down my phone. Only 10+ minutes later did I realize I didn’t have my phone which had ALL our photos. Michael quickly ran back to the location where I’d put down the phone while I sat and waited. About 20 minutes later, Michael returned WITH my phone. I cannot describe how I felt and how thankful I was that no one had taken it.
We continued to the Queen Victoria Building where there were some of the standard high end shops but also some unique ones, like Hobbyco and a miniature military figure store, which Michael enjoyed seeing. The building has a clock with depictions of Australia’s early history as well as some beautiful stained glass windows.
After 5 hours of walking around, we returned back to our accomodations. We had planned on going out for a nice dinner as it was Valentines Day but instead Michael went to a local Chinese food resturanat a brought in take out.
Hopper Oz Adventure 