Day 19

Wow.

Just back from the final walk to the Post Office, the Wharf and to watch some beach volleyball.

It has been an amazing adventure coming to Sydney and the Northern Beaches. I had never had an idea to come here and I am so happy I was given the opportunity.

Thanks to Art in Odd Places, The Warringah Council, the Eramboo Artist Environment and all the folks at The Manly Art Gallery and Museum for making this possible as well as all the volunteers and participants that kept things moving.

Hopefully we will cross paths again further down the line.

Now it is off to the airport for the 25 hour commute back.

Peace.

Day 18

Up at 5am to an amazing sunrise.

Just hanging out at the apartment. Went to the Corso to add minutes to the mini-wifi system and hang out.

Met up with many of the organizers for Ed's birthday lunch at Garfish on the Harbour. After went to the Manly Pantry on the Beach for dessert and coffee with sad good byes to Greg and Susan from Eramboo.

Went back to the apartment and started packing for the return trip tomorrow at 1pm.

Day 17

Another beautiful day in Oz.

Manly is bustling today with Art in Odd Places, The Manly Arts Festival and the Manly Bike Festival.

I am very excited about the final protest here in Manly.

Had an opportunity this morning to walk around and see some of the varied projects happening here. Some beautiful work.

At 1pm walked over to The Manly Art Gallery and Museum to prepare for today's march. The focus today will stray from environmental issues to political and economical. The march will be limited to the Corso and in front of the office of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

It was very successful as we paused in front of the PM office. We then marched to the heart of the Corso for the die in. It is amazing at just how hard it is for the public to process a "non-information" protest.

After the protests it was off to Desire Books for the closing soiree. It was a wonderful get together to say good bye to so many that participated.

 Then home via Benbry Burgers....the best in Australia.

Other interesting images today:

First white man in Manly monument.

Manly Nails

Day 16

What an amazing day.

After breakfast on the beach headed out with Ed Woodham and Rory Golden to assistant in their projects until 2pm.

Lunch on the Harbour and off to The Manly Art Gallery and Museum.

Protesters started arriving around 2:30. It was a wonderful group of seasoned veterans and people that had never participated in a march. All ages.

The march stated at the Museum and headed down the Harbour beach to the Manly Wharf then into The Corso.

Greg Stonehouse on a megaphone....no sound.

 In the Corso we formed a large circle midway to the Manly Beach. There was much interest as we walked with so many people inquiring. It is fascinating how dire many are to be told the meaning of such a protest. With this protest being a "blank" and silent protest I do feel it generates more interest and is much more successful than a verbal protest. It forces the public to think and add their own twist to the marches.

    After the circle in The Corso we marched back to Kangaroo Park across from the Wharf and stood on a ledge forming a beautiful visual that was really emotional. Power in Numbers.

We then proceeded past the Ferry riders down to the Harbour Beach for the "honoring of the sea",  the "human shields" and the "die in". Many participates today expressed interest in the dying of the coral reef. It has become so obvious that environmental concerns...with a bit of politics sprinkled in.....are the main focuses of these marches.

After the marches, wandered back out to see video projections by Tyson Laucher at the Harbour then dinner and bed. Will do it all again tomorrow.

Day15

Oh where to begin.

Up and off to eat breakfast at the Honolulu Grill. Then back to the apartment and off to the "fast ferry" into Sydney.

Revisited Jahmarliy, a young Aboriginal boy, selling his wares near the ferry. He and his family has been performing music and selling paintings and clap sticks there for many years as they had the deed to the area due to laws protecting their people.

Then I headed off to the old part of Sydney, The Rocks. 

Sydney's Oldest Pub

A cobblestone alleyway 

Historic marker under the Harbour Bridge

I love this architecture. Beautiful two story residences.

My newest house.

The people here are so considerate. This sign just went up outside my newest house. ha.

Old mail drops.

A beautiful cobblestone street.

A back alley way for some apartments.

Lunch time. Struck up a wonderful hour long conversation with a local artist that had a pop up studio next door to the G'day Cafe. He uses discarded signs and posters then screen prints on them. A wonderful encounter.

Trees at the Circular Quay.

Detail of Guan Wei's piece in the entrance to the Museum of Contemporary Art addressing the atrocities happening in Australia regarding the "boat people".

Etched detail of Brook Andrews' "Warring" at MCA.

A local.

Snails at the Customs House - a part of Art and About Sydney.

My hand touching the Sydney Opera House as a record of my being here.

Crazy little people on top of the bridge on the left doing the Harbour Bridge walk.

Then caught the fast ferry back to Manly and it was a run to get to the opening of the Manly Arts Festival and the Chris' wonderful paintings at the Manly Gallery and Museum.

I did a performance outside and as always the reactions to a protester is an experiment in human behavior.

Then off to the 4 Pines for an after party and was great. Got home late and off to bed.

Day 14

Work up at 5am to a beautiful orange/peach sunrise with surfers and swimmers already in the sea.

Then off to catch the ferry at 7:30 to go with the business class to Sydney

and then on to Taronga Zoo via another ferry and bus.

I am not a zoo person, but for whatever reason I do feel a duty to visit the zoo here to see so many of the animals and birds unique to Australia. Maybe this a part of some childhood fantasy. I did, however, see a mother opossum and her baby on the roof at Eramboo last night and they are cute. They look like little bears and not like the hideous creatures we have in the States.

It is another perfect day down under and I can't imagine it could ever be any better than being here in early Spring. As I start to think of the return trip, I am so grateful for everyone involved in making this happen. It is another wonderful moment in my life that I never considered and am so very lucky to have experienced.

The Taronga Zoo is like no other. Perched on a hillside overlooking Sydney Harbour,

 

 
this zoo gives the animal lover everything and more. I did experience several creatures I had never heard of and others I had never seen. Such as:


The Tree Kangaroo

The sleeping Koala

The Komodo Dragon

Star turtles

The Emu with attitude

Striped Bongos

You might ask where all the photos of the kangaroo, platypus, wombat, wallabie and quokkos are.....well....my camera battery died.

Other animals to investigate: The Spiney Leaf Stick insect, The Victoria Crowned Pigeon and the Brolga.

Took the bus and ferry back to Sydney and visited a few Aboriginal galleries and shops. Good to get a better understanding of their esthetic and a lot of the symbolism associated with this art form.

After visiting the last gallery, I walked past an outdoor dining area and watched a guy eating his lunch have it completely stolen from him as he put it in his mouth by a pack of urban cockatoos looking for some Micky D's. Too funny......not for him.

Then back on the ferry to the apartment. 

Ed Woodham prepared dinner while the full moon rose over the sea at dusk. 

Absolutely beautiful. Sat down at the beach until nightfall. What a wonderful way to end such a perfect day.