Australia Day Six. Back To The City. Central Sydney And The Celebration Of the Chinese New Year.

I awoke early yesterday in Katoomba hoping to watch the sunrise from Echo Point, the famous overlook from which a spectacular view of the “Three Sisters’  rock formation can be seen. I left the hotel only to go back inside to get my jacket. It was pretty cool for a Summer morning up in the mountains. I would guess the temperature was in the upper 40’s. I walked through the center of the sleeping town, downward to the overlook.

It was about a 1 1/2 mile walk and it was nice walking through the residential neighborhoods. They homes are small but pretty and well maintained as were the lawns. I got to the overlook and found only a few people had came out to see this magnificent view.

Unfortunately, the weather  again did not cooperate and clouds moved in preventing a view of the sunrise. It was still an awe inspiring scene. So peaceful, calm and quiet. I sat just taking it all in and thinking how the native aborigines must have enjoyed and loved this land. Here is a link to some more photographs from  Echo Point.https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/australia/nggallery/australia/australia-day-six-katoomba-echo-point-february-9-2016

Shortly after the sun rose the forest below became alive with the sounds of birds. And a flock of parrots landed in a tree near the observation point. They sure are noisy birds. And very pretty too. Most of the flock flew down to the trees atop the Three Sisters but a few stayed behind and flew pretty close above my head as the looked for leftover food. Sort of like pigeons back home. Here is a link to some more photographs of the parrots. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/australia/nggallery/australia/australia-katoomba-echo-point-parrots-february-9-2016

I walked back up the long hill to town and roamed about the streets to see what I could see. It was a charming town, nice tidy houses intermixed with hotels and bed and breakfast cottages. As I came atop the hill I noticed some murals on a wall of a house  and came to an amazing street where the houses and apartment buildings where all covered in art. Take a look at the photographs in this link they are amazing.https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/australia/nggallery/australia/australia-day-six-katoomba-the-street-art-walk-february-9-2016

I made my way back to the hotel, had breakfast and decided to visit the United Nations World Heritage Museum before taking the train back to Sydney.  Here is a link to some more photographs from my walk through Katoomba.https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/australia/nggallery/australia/australia-day-six-katoomba-morning-walk-february-9-2016

It was a pleasant two hour ride and I was in the Central Station shortly after one o’clock. My hotel, the Renaissance was only  a block away from the station so I checked in and immediately took off to explore central Sydney.

I headed into the nearby  expansive Sydney Chinatown and found it decorated in celebration of the Chinese new Year. I love seeing the many grocery stores, filled with exotic fruits and vegetables, as well as the many restaurants selling all varieties  of Chinese food.

I walked down to Darling Harbour, where there was a lot of construction going on and found my way around it to the splendid Chinese Garden of Friendship. What a place of beauty in the middle of a busy city.

I love visiting Chinese gardens.  Everything is placed for a purpose and every tree, rock and flower has a meaning. I was very fortunate to visit when they were celebrating the New Year and staff in traditional costumes roamed the gardens. I sat for awhile admiring the waterfalls and made my way from this peaceful haven back into the hustle and bustle of the city. Here is a link to some more photographs taken at the gardens. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/australia/nggallery/australia/australia-day-six-sydney-china-town-february-9-2016

I wanted to see nearby Hyde park and headed over that way but I saw St. Andrew’s Cathedral in the distance and had to have a look. I love visiting churches, mosques temples  and other  places of worship on my travels. I wish I had more time to spend here but it was a lovely place to visit, even briefly. Here is a link are some more photographs from my visit to St. Andrews. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/australia/nggallery/australia/australia-day-six-sydney-st-andrews-cathedral-february-9-2016

I was very tired by now, having put a lot of miles in so decided to leave Hyde Park for another day.  I walked along the streets to Hyde park and came upon this business giving away free pizza. It looked pretty good, Needless to say a huge crowd soon formed. I didn’t stop for a try, maybe I should have.

I did walk by  the lovely outskirts of Hyde park on the way back.  I loved the  heavily wooded park grounds and did get to see this interesting war memorial dedicated to the native Aborigines who fought for their country. From here it was a short walk back to my hotel but it  was a long  five mile walk in the hot Australian sun. I was tired. . I don’t have much time to spend in Sydney, but I will try and make the best of it. Here is a link to some more photographs of my hike through central Sydney yesterday. https://keepyoureyespeeled.net/australia/nggallery/australia/australia-day-six-sydney-walk-in-afternoon-february-2016

. Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe.  ~Anatole France