Sydney-side in +43

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G’day from Australia

Well I have finally arrived and will spend my first week between Sydney and Australia's capital Canberra.

As for my time in Sydney, I have to admit parts of this city are as pretty as any city I have been to on the planet.

I took the ferry in from my sister-in-law’s place in Longueville and got some amazing views of Darling Harbour and the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House that reside there.

As I have been to Sydney many times now I find myself looking at things I haven't seen before, or those interesting quirks that make cities endearing to those who live there.  So without further adieu:

While I was there I witnessed the quietest Apple Store I have ever seen in the CBD (central business district).  Compared to the mad-house that we all witness at Chinook or Market Mall, or what I saw in Santa Monica on Christmas Eve, it was quite a juxtaposition.  I have never seen so many Apple staff with nothing to do but play with the devices.

Secondly, we visited one of the two Ikeas in Sydney (of which Australia only has 5) and it was also pleasingly quiet.  We found a parking spot close to the entrance and wandered around in whatever direction we chose, and did not spend any time queuing for the checkout.  It also had the most wonderful shopping trolleys I have ever had the pleasure of driving.  One could almost imagine the trolley replacing the image of a Jaguar in one of those car ads about the pleasures of driving a luxury car.

Finally, I have included a picture from one of those electronic road sign we pass all the time as we drive down some major road.  Instead of talking about an impending traffic delay, or the need to leave space and not tailgate.  This one, however, warned drivers about the danger of dying while in their car due to heat and lack of water!  I tried to imagine road signs in Calgary warning drivers to wear warm clothes in the winter for fear of freezing to death during their evening commute.