This morning we went for a walk around Cremorne Point, a well-to-do harborside suburb on the lower North Shore. The first part of the walk was through a park-like setting, with views of the Central Business District across the harbor. The smaller inlet in the immediate foreground is called Shell Cove.
After a little while, the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House came into view. It was great sitting there on the rocks taking in the view.
The more we walked, the less manicured the vegetation became. This chunk of land closest to the actual point (Robertson Point) is called Cremorne Point Reserve and protects the native flora and fauna, including Sydney red gum (agophora), banksia and other endemic trees and plants.
At Robertson Point, a metal ladder attached to the sandstone cliffs leads down to the rocks from where you have an even more stunning view of the skyline. The sandstone cliffs provide nice framing.
On the left is a view of the Central Business District and the Opera House; on the right is the small lighthouse at Robertson Point.
After dinner, Heather and I struck out on our own for a night on the town. Bill drove us to Milsons Point on the north side of the Harbor Bridge, and we took a leisurely stroll across the bridge. It took us almost an hour because I stopped so many times. As the sun was setting, scores and scores and large bats appeared seemingly out of nowhere and started flying over the bridge—and us. These were very large bats, the size of seagulls, certainly larger than what we see at home.
Heather and I walked through The Rocks down to Circular Quay and around to the Opera House. By the time we got to the Opera House, it was completely dark. The views across the harbor to the bridge and Luna Park just on the other side were simply stunning, as evidenced by the many compact cameras furiously firing their flashes.
I love the way the Opera House is light at night—not too much and not too little, just right for photography. Here are some of my favorite photos from tonight’s outing:
We took the train back to Atarmon from Circular Quay, and as we were going over the Harbor Bridge, I realized that we had now crossed the bridge by car, on foot and by train. The only mode of transport left is by bike but I doubt that we’ll do that on this trip. Still, the most scenic (and my favorite) way is to cross the harbor by ferry. You see so much, in all directions. To date, riding the ferries in Sydney Harbor has been one of my favorite things to do.
It’s 11:28pm as I’m writing this, and we’re in the middle of a thunderstorm. An amazing amount of rain is coming down all of a sudden. After the heat and humidity all day, it feels GOOOOD.
Great Pictures, very nice.
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