More Sydney

We’ve been somewhat forcefully reminded that travels are much more pleasant when the sun shines. Tuesday was once again gray. We decided that we would use the day to see inside things and use the other hop-on-hop-off bus that travels a more in-town route.

We had a relaxed start to the day, did a little shopping, and then toured through the historic Hyde Park Barracks which was initially used to house convicts. On excavation, archeologists also discovered endless rat nests!

Mark, the convict!

the rat display

When done we stopped at the on-site café for a flat white. While in the café, in came a barrister in robes and WIG! We were sorely tempted to ask to pose with him, but he then removed the wig and the moment passed. We walked around the corner and, having just missed a confirmation ceremony with hundreds of teenagers in various private school uniforms, walked through St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral which is beautifully reminiscent of European cathedrals. Here we could have mimicked the Japanese tourists who were posing with groups of the uniformed schoolgirls on the front steps! Across the street, we encountered ibis birds in the lovely, even in the rain, Hyde Park.

St. Mary's

ibis

We boarded the bus to take us across town through Kings Cross and Woolloomooloo (such a great name) neighborhoods out to the end of Mrs. Macquaries Point (sorry, Di, the spelling is wrong). This point, named after the first governor’s wife since she loved the view from there, now gives spectacular water views back towards the opera house and bridge. This is also the far end of the massive Royal Botanic Gardens.

By this time, the rain had abated so we walked through the gardens, caught lunch at the café, and began to walk towards our next bus stop. Along the way, looking up into the trees, we wondered what these big, dead-looking, brown, bag-like things hanging from the tops of trees were. All of a sudden, we realized that the dead things both moved and shrieked. We had stumbled on a colony of flying foxes or fruit bats that live in the garden. We were amazed and fascinated. Must have stayed for ten minutes or so watching. Several flew around during that time showing off their 3 ft. wingspan. Impressive.

the bats

The New South Wales Art Museum is also located within the park. We walked in and found a friendly, informative docent who gave us a one hour “highlights” tour especially concentrating on Australian artists. Perfect!! Back on the bus, we toured back around town to a stop near our hotel and called it a day.