Sydney, NSW, AU

We spent two days soaking up attractions in Sydney, one day indoors and one outdoors. First off we admired historical Sydney Sandstone buildings, then did some lazy bird-watching of stuffed specimens at the Australia Museum, dined at the North African restaurant Aalia, browsed the small Museum of Sydney, and checked out the local art collection at the Library of New South Wales. Then we capped off our highbrow day watching Opera Australia perform “The Barber of Seville” at the Sydney Opera House.

They gave us a sturdy show filled with comic stage business. Their conductor, Daniel Smith, gestured charismatically, making a show all by himself. 

I learned enough Sydney history to nod with comprehension when a local Captain Cook Cruises ferry was named “Pemulwuy” after the fierce Bidjigal shaman. From 1790-1802 Pemulwuy made Guerilla war against the settlers in spite of being outgunned. More about him later. And the restaurant in the opera house is named after Bennelong, an important black who learned English and lived in the Governor’s House. Bennelong and Governor Arthur Phillip both tried for understanding, but the overwhelming force of the Crown decimated the natives in just a few years. There is a statue of Captain James Cook, the navigator, celebrated in Sydney. He is reviled in Hawaii, where he was killed by Hawaiians while trying to kidnap their king. 

The following day we followed the advice in the Judy Small song and rode the ferry to Manly. Manly is a scenic spit with three kilometers of pink sandy beach. I swam between the two “okay to swim here” flags and felt the pull of the surf. The world’s first surfing contest was held here in 1964. How surfing is finely judged seems opaque to me. As with figure skating and freestyle skiing, falling means you lose. But beyond that, I have no idea what makes one dude a champion and the next dude a dog. The lifeguard had impressive equipment at his command: dune buggy, jet ski, radio. 
There was a memorial to Manly soldiers who lost their lives 1951-1972, following the US into battle. Australia is like the little tagalong kid in the neighborhood: “take me along, I’m small but I’m with you, Big Fella.”

Then I spent a few hours looking around the Royal Botanic Garden.

I especially liked the Australian rain forest area, though I can never pass up a rose garden in summer.

Wildlife sightings: white ibis, egrets, and two weddings.