Wednesday 31 December 2008

Finishing 2008 in Sydney

There is no better way to finish the year than going to the beach.

The day started with a short walk in the city centre...


... and a long bus trip to Palm Beach.


After about two hours on the road, there we were...




The waves were beautiful...




A bit of shade was most welcome after a good swim.


And then it was time to get back to the city...


Not for everybody though... Some people were probably going to spend the night in their Magic Bus...




Balmain was a good spot to spend this very special evening...


People preparing for the night... There was a huge picnic going on in the whole city.


Mysterious messages in the sky...




It was becoming dark!


And suddenly the city was on fire!






The finale was crazy. You didn't know where to look anymore!


And then we were all tired... Time to go to bed! And a Happy New Year!

Saturday 27 December 2008

In Forster...

Forster is right in the centre of the Great Lakes District. It is on the edge of the Wallis Lake, where oysters are farmed...






There is plenty of fish out there! Fishing and scuba diving are very popular among locals and tourists.



And that's probably why I met so many pelicans there...


Day-dreaming...


Inquisitive...


Patient...


Performing...


Running for food!


When food is involved, they don't know how to behave anymore.


Australian curiosity in public toilets...


And then out at sea...


A whale, not that far away...


And here come the dolphins!


They were fast! And followed the boat for a while...




Back to the beach... Those who don't like big waves can try the rock swimming pool, catching water from the high tide.




Some little fishes remain prisoners for some hours... Waiting for the next tide!


In the evening, Cape Hawk and its beautiful colours is the best way to finish the day...





Bonne nuit!

Friday 26 December 2008

A day around the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes district is home to many fellow pelicans. What a good surprise! I could spend Xmas with family!

It was fishing day at Green Point: a real social event for some...


... a meditative experience for others...


No wonder, with such a beautiful landscape. I tell you, pelicans know where the good things are in life.


I went into the forest for some cooler air...




... and arrived at the quite surprising Green Cathedral.


This is the most beautiful worship place I've ever seen.


A strange visitor passed by at picnic time... This was my first encounter with a goanna.


He walked around, but finally did not seem that attracted to the smell of sandwiches.


The water was really clear. You could see little fish swimming around!


And the old trees were a paradise for spiders.


The vegetation was rich and diverse. A real collection of exotic bark and leaves.












Further along the way, this aggressive bulldog ant was waiting for a fight!


And the cicadas were giving a giant concert.


Approaching the ocean, the landscape became suddenly more dramatic.


At the very top of the hill, some holiday accommodation with a view of the beach...








... and the white Sugarloaf lighthouse...










It was really well maintained, with beautiful and funny details.












At the end of the day trip, Smiths Lake at low tide...






Night was falling down, and it was time to go back home....