Australia Day - Boats, barbies, bands and beer!

Australia Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there on January 26, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia.  Now you know why the Indigenous people refer to this as “Invasion Day”. 

Why would a country celebrate the sending of its motherland’s convicts to fend for themselves in an unknown land? Well it also happens to be the anniversary of the Rum Rebellion, the beverage of choice in 1808. This was the only military coup in Australian History and explains why the holiday is often likened to our Independence Day. Now that sounds more like the Aussies we know and love.

But there is more.  In 1999 the Australia vote to become an independent republic was defeated by a mere 46%.  (That’s even closer than Texas ceding from the US!)  The Queen of England is still the head of state, with an appointed Governor General of Australia.  Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was elected in 2007.  The combative election hinged on a referendum to cede from Britain and change the national anthem from “Advance Australia Fair” to “Waltzing Matilda”.  The next referendum is in 2011, and has gained momentum since, during a visit this month, Prince William got in the back of a taxi instead of sharing the front seat with the driver.  Not very mately!   True story as reported by the BBC – you can’t make this stuff up.

Barbies are fired up, there is beer-a-plenty, antique cars and bands galore.  The harbour is choked with boats following the Ferrython and Tall Ships racing from Harbour Bridge around Shark Island and back.  Hundreds of boats surge along in the highly competitive race where using diversion, including smoke screens, to confuse the competition is legit.  Is that a Kanga I see driving that boat? Click here to join the fun!

What do you MEAN something landed on the car?

Living in "The Rocks" may be convenient to the ferry with a panoramic view of the harbour and Opera House, but there are certain risks.

We laughed when the local realtor suggested he could sell us Boulder Insurance.  "Hey mate, you may have hail storms where you come from, but here our rocks fly during a storm.  Why do you think we cal it The Rocks."

Who's laughing now?

Where exactly do we live?

Click this for pics of our flat

We live at 88 Cumberland St. in The Rocks - the name of our neighborhood, not the building.

The Rocks is Sydney's oldest area.  In 1788, it became the site of the first English settlement. (Much more on that later.)  Today, most buildings are over 100 years old and few are over four stories tall. Few roads are open to traffic.  Located on the harbour, it  is built into the rocky cliff that begins under the Harbour Bridge and cascades down to the the harbour that is home of the main ferry warf, Circle Quay.

For those of you familiar with Sydney, our home is just below the Observatory Hill, on the highest road near the entrance to the Harbour Bridge Climb.  (YES, Steve has and NO, Karen has NOT done that yet.) There is no escaping stairs in this part of town.  They are everywhere, as are pubs.  Life is all about balance!

What does all of this mean?  Our four story building is the equivalent of being over twenty stories high, providing panoramic views of the harbour looking east over the Sydney Opera House.  The building's four residences, are all on its top floor.  It was designed and is owned by the building's architect.  And yes, our 60 feet of balcony space does have a "barbie."  After all, this is Australia.  Take a look at our album.  The guest room could be yours!

You've arrived at your destination.

Yes ladies and gents - we made it!  Boston to New York to visit friends.  Ft. Myers and Useppa for Christmas. Then onto Miami for a quick Dolphins game, Oregon via San Francisco to visit with Jeremy, Erin and Clara.  And finally Los Angeles to take off and spend New Year's Eve in the friendly skies.  Several movies and a little Ambien later, we arrived in Sydney.  Life is wonderful!

New Year's Eve - Aussie Style!

So you think you've seen fireworks before?  Really great fireworks?  Well take a look at how they ring in the new year down under mate, and then let us know if you've ever REALLY seen fireworks.  Click below onto  "Sydney Harbour Fireworks - Wow! and watch the slide show!
Sydney Harbour Fireworks - WOW!!