Click for a bigger viewMonth: January 2006
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Sydney – Widescreen
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Sydney
Against several self-imposed raised odds of not making it to Australia, here I am … G’day!
Sydney is fantastic, and justifiably feels proud of itself, but without being smug. The cityscape is ever changing, giving you chance glances of the Sydney Harbour bridge through vintage Ned Kelley tenaments and crystalline high rises. The Opera House is simply EPIC and takes your breath away in its form and thoughtful detailing. And the food mixes masculline meat pies with white wine and oysters – a theme that defines the city somewhat.
It’s certainly very ‘Californian’ – everyone looks like they are a personal trainer, or at least running during lunch break. You can understand why they are so blinking good at sport!
I’m hanging out with Richard and Claerwen – Rich was a colleague from the Web-Imps days of 1999 – and I am feeling pretty blessed again that I was able to meet up with several more friends from Taipei and Canada in the evening.
I’m impressed with Sydney. Another city has been added to the list of those that I would love to live in or raise a family – which is exactly what Richard and Claerwen chose to do.
Brunch of Champions – oysters and white wine at the fish market kicked off the day nicely
Approaching Sydney Harbour Bridge on the ferry – Keep Clear
Engineering Details
Approaching the Opera House on foot, and about 500 Mb of photo opportunities
In the middle of being blown away… I was surprised how fantastic the building was, especially as it is so old
Exploring…
Infinity
Internal details, lifted straight from NASA
The Max Power ‘Utes’ were just fantastic. Deeply cool, and unforgivably crass at the same time
Cheers to Sydney! -
HK -> Sydney
Here I am in Hong Kong once again after a bit of a scary trip to the airport, with a taxi driver that had clearly never driven on the motorway before.
A bit more relaxed now…. and ready for the leg to Australia!
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Louis Vuitton Dental Clinic
Louis Vuitton moves into the dental health care industry -
Zhong He Camping
Excellent photo from Gerd of life as a scooter rider -
Graveyard Sessions
The weather in Taiwan is perfect. What else to do except shred the rad!
Momental -
Welsh Rarebits
One half of my family lives in Wales, but don’t hold that against them. The Biddle unit decamped to the South, primarily focussing on good mountains, food and beer. Here are some wee piccies:
Trecking in The Brecon Beacons
Mum & Dad at one of the amazing waterfalls of the day
‘Now, the GPS says there is one more left to find today…’ – Lady Mio has the last laugh
The Welsh contingent in force (with exception to newl-wed cousins Huw and Alex … Congratulations!) -
Edinburgh Hogmanay
100,000 drunk revellers descended on Princes Street in Edinburgh for the annual Hogmanay bash, and at the last minute Phil and I decided to join them by taking the train up to Scotland. It was really worth it, since I got to see old Glasgow buddies Craig and Ali, plus Masters pals Andrew and Kyle. Plus, of course, I saw Scotland and recharged my Whiskey batteries.
The street was full of horny Glaswegian girls, drunk Aussies and high numbers of bemuzed looking Chinese visitors. Drunk Chinese conversation of course meant that I lost the group within about 3 minutes – and feverish multiplexed cell phone calls to the guys only made matters worse.
Phil and I on Princes StreetAfter the bells, we retreated to my first proper arty party in over a year and a half – a very nice reminder of life in Glasgow. I also met a nice chap who happened to be sales manager for premium Glenmorangie whiskies and I humored him through an extensive sampling session, well into the morning.
Kids – part of the installation, it seems
Craig looking pensive / drunkA stonking hangover, healed only by the MacDonalds (the only open food hole in the morning) was partially soothed by the wonderful train ride, passing by Durham, York and Newcastle – all bathed in clear winter sunlight. Something you do not get in Taiwan.