A Little Batty

A trip to Sydney would not be complete without a visit to the Royal Botanical Garden.  The botanic garden, one of the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere, is located in the heart of Sydney's CBD (Central Business District).  The 30 hectares of gardens occupy a prime location on the shores of the Sydney Harbour.  They are the perfect place to learn about over 45,124 plants species, as well as to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city.  Guided walks through the park are offered daily at 10:30 and leave from the Palm Grove Center.

In addition to being home to thousands of plants, the park also boasts a large population of Grey-headed Flying foxes. For 20 years these nectar and fruit eating bats have camped in the Royal Botanic Gardens.  22,000 Flying-foxes can be seen roosting during the day in large treetop colonies.  Unfortunately, the threatened (venerable to extinction) species is causing extensive damage to the heritage landscape and scientific plant collection.  However, there are current relocation programs planned.  The animals will be encouraged, through the use of noise, to roost in alternative camps but feed in the gardens at night.  The removal of the animal should not incur any injuries or deaths.  The relocation is scheduled this month.  

So next time you are in Sydney keep your eyes open and you may see a camp of these critters.  Last month, in different locations across the city, I saw several large bats flying around in the evening.  For those of you in Adelaide you may want to keep your eyes open as well.  I recently read that small colonies of Grey-headed Flying-foxes have been seen in Adelaide's eastern suburbs, and they might soon be moving to a neighborhood near you.

Let The Rain Fall Down...

As I stood in the kitchen preparing our evening tea, a sudden flash lit up the dark horizon.  The unexpected burst of light was soon followed by a loud crack that caused the wall of glass windows to rattle.  Over the next half an hour I was treated to an orchestrated light show--a visual and aural experience that only Mother Nature could provide.
The show announced the arrival of the rainy season.  We had experienced a few sprinkles over the past few months, but the amounts of precipitation were minimal and not  enough to bring the earth back to life.  But the threatening storms that were now gathering on the horizon were different.  Even though I could barely make out the clouds in the dark night, I knew they were heavy with water.  Their arrival would bring the much needed moisture.  The  rains would reverse the destruction that had occurred during the long, hot summer.  The ugly, barren, hills that had been drained of life by the blaring sun and hot wind will soon become vibrantly alive.  The dry river beds once again will flow with water.  But with the deluge will come a different kind of destruction.  The hardened land is incapable of absorbing the amount of water that is about to arrive.  A lack of vegetation will lead to erosion as the strong down pour swiftly carries away the dirt.  Below the sheets of water, that connect the sky to the earth, puddles will quickly form and flood the roadways of the concrete jungle.
In the wake of the storm we will look past the destruction.  We will rejoice, because even though we are able to live with the dust and dryness, it is a countryside textured with life and color with which we dream.

Twinkle, Twinkle....

This week's PhotoHunt theme is sparkles.

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées sure sparkles at Christmas time!  It isn't hard to see why in France the street is known as the most beautiful avenue in the world.

Take A Walk On The Harbour Side

With the Sydney Harbour Bridge being one of its most famous icons, it should be no surprise that Sydney is located on Port Jackson, an inlet on the Pacific Ocean.  Port Jackson--aka Sydney Harbour--is a drowned river that extends 19 km between its entrance at the Headlands and the Parramatta River. 

It is impossible to visit Sydney without becoming familiar with Sydney Harbour--after all, the waterways are an integral part of the city.  What will vary, is how visitors choose to familiarize themselves with what many consider the finest harbour in Australia.  

There are those who will choose to take to the waters by ferry, water taxi or boat.  Others will sit at one of the many wharves and enjoy an elegant meal.  Some will settle for a swim.  The more adventurous may want a panoramic view with an adrenaline rush and join a guided  climb to the summit of one of the world's most famous bridges.  Most likely, all will stand on the Quay (pronounced key) to admire the Opera House.

On previous visits to the Harbour City I experienced many of the above.   I even had a birds eye view--no, I didn't dish out the big bucks ($300) to climb the bridge--, when I was treated to a holding flight pattern over the harbour.  As for as a dip in its waters, that just will not happen for this land lover.  Last month when we returned to Sydney, I decided that I was familiar with its famous body of water, but I really wanted to get to know it.  I wasn't sure how I would accomplish this.  So when I discovered a series of brochures created by the Walking Volunteers I was thrilled.  

I used the detailed brochures to map out a 50+ mile walking tour.  I started at North Head, worked my way up to the Parramatta river, and back to South Head.  Since the harbour has many bays and inlets each map gives several routes to walk, but I tried to stay as close to the water as possible.

Over 5 days I walked along shared bike paths, streets, and single track paths.  I crossed 5 major bridges.  I visited dozens of distinct neighborhoods, several National and Local Parks, numerous wharves, various lighthouses and countless bays.  I contemplated ancient aboriginal drawings.  I peeked in to the past at the historic Quarantine Station and former Forts--the tunnels, open batteries, barracks and trenches--that date back to the 1830's. I  delighted in  Mother Nature's treasures; her white beaches, rock pools, massive sandstone cliffs, kookaburras, and water dragons.  Of course, the entire walk was not picture perfect.  There were several stretches of busy roads, graffiti, and dilapidated areas.  However, what I found the saddest was the amount of garbage entering the water.  All I can say is that in this day and age there is just no excuse.

I realize that walking the entire Sydney Harbour is not for everyone.  However, I really recommend that any visitor to Sydney take some time and get off the beaten path.  If nothing else the views of the city skyline are spectacular.  To help in planning your walk--which can easily be coordinated with public transportation--pick up a Walking Costal Sydney Brochure or check it out online.

Oysters A LaMaya

My husband loves oysters, but I don't like them and won't eat them. However, with world class oysters being produced less than 60 kms away--as the crow flies--I have learned how to cook them.  After mastering the more traditional Oysters Rockefeller, I began to play around with the ingredients and have adapted the recipe to have a more Southwestern Flavor.  Mark gives the following recipe rave reviews, though I can't comment since I have yet to try it!

One dozen fresh oysters on the half shell, oyster liquid reserved

4 sprigs Cilantro

2 green onions (including the green part)

1/8 cup fresh celery leaves

3 fresh tarragon leaves

1 small pickled jalapeño (adjust to you taste)

1 tsp fennel seed

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Rock salt 

Lime slices

Finely mince the cilantro, green onions, celery leaves, tarragon and jalapeño. Mix minced ingredients with the fennel, bread crumbs and the softened butter.  Make sure you don't over mix, you want a textured paste.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Preheat your broiler. Lower the top rack to the middle of the oven. Line an ovenproof dish or baking sheet with one inch slightly moistened salt (this will keep the oysters level under the broiler, so that they won't tip over).  Plant the shells in the salt, making sure they're level. Place one oyster in each shell, plus a little bit of oyster juice. Spoon an equal amount of the prepared herb/butter mixture over each oyster.

Place the dish/baking sheet on the middle rack and broil until the edges of the oysters have curled and the herb butter is bubbling, 3-5 minutes. Watch carefully to make sure you don't overdo it. Serve immediately with lime slices.

There's Nothing Like Australia

It is no secret that pre 2000, I had no desire to visit Australia.  It was as I watched the Land Down Under ring in the new millennium that the country became a blip on my radar.  At first I envisioned NYE at the Opera House, but as Europe became mundane in my eyes I started to dream of life in a distant, exotic land.  Then my dream came true.  In just two years Australia has exceeded my expectations and it never ceases to surprise me.  It has gone from a distant remote dusty corner of the world to a place I believe everyone should visit.
Tourism Australia also feels the world should visit their lovely continent and they have just unveiled a new international ad.  According to discussions I have seen on Facebook, Blogs, and in the media it seems like the campaign may not be as successful as it creators had hoped.
Personally I find the song a bit annoying, but in my eyes the visual images manage to capture the depth of what Australia has to offer.  The ad makes me want to hit the road and see all that is out there.  How about you?  Does the following video put Australia on your bucket list?

'Tis The Season...

Today is the first day of winter.  For some who live in other parts of the world this may seem strange.  After all, for those in the Northern Hemisphere the short days of winter are becoming a memory as you look forward to summer.  However, if you were schooled in the same way as I you will not officially announce summer until June 21st.  If the seasons between the Northern and Southern hemisphere are opposite, then it would seem logical that winter would start on the same date.  So why am I announcing the arrival of winter on the 1st of June?
Since moving to Australia I have learned that even though the calendar is divided into the same four seasons as other parts of the world,  the "official" start date does not coincide with the equinox or solstice.  Instead, here in Australia the change of the season is marked on the 1st day of  December, March, June and September for the start of Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring, respectively.
So once again my cross-cultural experience has taught me that even though internationally in temperate zones seasons are divided into 3 months and have similar characteristics--amount of daylight and temperatures--, the actual start and end date varies across the globe.