Zǒu Mǎ Kàn Huā @ Sydney & Brisbane - day 2

Day 2 at Sydney... we took the train to Circular Quay which is the hub of Sydney Harbour, the quay is a vibrant, bustling place with ferries leaving every few minutes to different parts of the harbour, including Manly.

On the southern side of Circular Quay is a walkway that leads to the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanical Gardens; while on the northern side, a short walk along lovely landscaped walkways takes you to the Harbour Bridge and The Rocks.

The Sydney Opera House as seen from the Circular Quay's end. The Sydney's iconic building was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, opening in 1973 after a long gestation that had begun with his competition-winning design in 1957. Joseph Cahill's New South Wales Government gave the go-ahead for work to begin in 1958. The government's bold decision to select Utzon's design is often overshadowed by the scandal that followed.

I remember in the late 60s the problem ridden F-111 fighter bombers bought by the Australian Air Force was labelled "The Flying Opera House" by the Aussie press ;)

If you keep on walking towards the North  you will get to The Rocks.

As well as the historic nature of many of the buildings, makes the Rocks very popular with tourists. It features a variety of souvenir and craft shops, as well as many themed and historic pubs.

There are scores of restaurants at The Rocks, but one of the most popular must be the Lowen Brau!  Especially if you love German beer!  We don't drink but was attracted by their pork knuckle! A favourite all over Germany, these pork knuckles (otherwise known as hocks) are the perfect mix of crunchy crackling and tender meat!

Our yummy German lunch, crispy but juicy pork knuckle accompanied with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes with gravy.

Another snack we saw lots of people eating is some sort of pan cakes, it must be very good... Le General found the stall selling them, they are known as Turkish Gözleme :)

Gözleme is a savoury traditional Turkish handmade and hand-rolled pastry. Fresh pastry is rolled out, filled and sealed, then cooked over a griddle.
The name derives from the Turkish word göz meaning eye. Traditionally, this is done on a sac.  Wikipedia

After The Rocks we double back where we came from so we can go and look at the Opera House.

The famous Sydney Habour Bridge where you can climb up, you won't catch me doing it though ;)

Witness a young bride meeting up with her man at the Circular Quay, I changed to my Lumix 45-175 lens to take a shot of the best men trying to block the view of the approaching bride from the groom :)

I used the Lumix 7-14 for this shot of the happy young couple catching the boat to their ceremony (I think) :)

Million dollars waterfront properties  along the quay, I suppose if you can afford an apartment here, you can say you have made it?

What about this guy with all his possession and sleeping under one of the waterfront property?  Sydney's have and have none :(

As we approach the Sydney Opera House, I noticed another wedding in progress!

I waited for the young couple to cross the road towards me...

Goodness, that best man was on his mobile phone all the time! Right from the top stair of the Opera House! Duh!

Shortly after our wedding encounter, it started to rain; we took the train back.  It has been a really hot and sweaty day but we had lots of walking and fun.

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Day 1

Day 3 

Day 4