Sydney - continued

Captain Cook Buffet Lunch Cruise

As a Christmas present we were given a gift voucher for a Captain Cook Buffet Lunch Cruise which we chose to use to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary last Tuesday.  We boarded the Cruise Ship at 12.20 pm and the ship left promptly at 12.30 pm.  It was a glorious Sydney day and we had a window table from which we could enjoy the passing landmarks in Sydney Harbour whilst enjoying a delicious buffet lunch.  Afterwards, we wandered around the vessel taking photos from fore and aft decks and enjoying a refreshing breeze from the water to cool us down on such a hot day.  The ship berthed at Cockle Bay Wharf, to let some passengers disembark and then we finally left the ship back at Circular Quay.  Here are some highlights from the cruise.

The ocean liner Sun Princess was berthed at the Overseas Terminal at Circular Quay.  Taxis and cars were driving into this flagged off area and dropping off passengers.  There were plenty of people walking around wheeling luggage, excited at the prospect of going off on their cruise.

After a cruise up the harbour towards the Heads, our vessel sailed back and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge on its way round to Darling Harbour.  This bridge is the central focus for New Year's Eve fireworks display.  The poor old bridge gets a real battering from the fireworks!  Hope it doesn't explode one year!!

This is the Anzac Bridge built in 1995 and situated in Johnston's Bay between Pyrmont and Glebe Island.  This is an eight lane cable-stayed bridge.  I like the design of this bridge.  We could only see it in the distance.

Sydney's newest foreshore park Barangaroo Reserve can be reached via Hickson Road, Walsh Bay.   This place is on my list of "must do" places to visit.  The transformation of an old industrial site into six hectares of parkland looks spectacular.  There are many walking paths, coves and inlets to visit.

Sydney

Lunar Festival, Circular Quay

Yesterday we were in Circular Quay, Sydney waiting to board our Captain Cook buffet lunch cruise.  As we had some time to fill in we took a walk around Circular Quay and saw some of the giant lanterns celebrating the Lunar Festival to welcome in the Chinese New Year.  These lanterns would be best seen after dusk when they are lit up and can be seen in full vibrant colour.  They mostly measure up to thirteen metres and are giant animal lanterns representing the creatures of the Chinese zodiac.  They have all been designed by Asian-Australian artists.  Here are just some that we were able to see before our cruise.

This Giant Tiger in Chinese culture represents the greatest earthly power, as well as protection over human life.  He is sitting in the First Fleet Park in the Rocks.

This lantern representing the horse is inspired by the famous chariots unearthed alongside the terracotta warriors of Xian.  It depicts ancient war horses leading a chariot. You could mount the steps at the back and enter the chariot.

I loved this cheeky flying pigs lantern.  In Chinese culture the pig is a happy and lucky character with a sense of humour.  Up the top the pigs appeared to be flying!

The Ox and the Scholar Rock Lantern.  The Ox is loyal, reliable and strong.  The determined ox is always diligent.  A surge of strength and knowledge.  This lantern is outside Cadman's Cottage.

The Electric Sheep pays homage to the favoured breed of sheep in Australia, the Merino.  There are three sheep and they stand 2.5 metres tall.  Visitors can walk underneath and between.  It is like a paper cut-out standing on the lawn.  I liked this bright blue one.  The others are red and green.

It would have been nice to see all thirteen lanterns but they were stretched out along the foreshore as far as the Opera House and we wouldn't have had the time, or energy to see them all, plus the weather was very hot!