Sydney's Museums

One of the great things about Sydney is the art.  My hotel was convenienently located within walking distance of the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Sydney Museum, the Australian Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and lots of galleries in the business district and on Circular Quay.  Here are some pieces that caught my eye.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Aboriginal paintings on bark:

One of the galleries.

The view from the roof, the Museum Cafe:

Museum of Sydney

Edge of the Trees, installation by Janet Laurence and Fiona Foley (1995).

Art Gallery of New South Wales

The Art Gallery of New South Wales has a great collection of aboriginal art as well as other modern Australian artists.

detail

Snapshots of Sydney, Australia

Waiting for the bus to Bondi Beach.

Bondi Beach

First views of Sydney Harbor from Circular Quay.

The Wildlife Park at Featherdale.

The aboriginal cultural center at Katoomba.

The Blue Mountains west of Sydney.

The newlyweds, Sydney Harbor with the Opera House in background.

Downtown art.

Views from Circular Quay.

Sculptural railing, The Rocks.

More harbor views.

Detail, Government House in the Royal Botanic Garden.

St. Mary's Cathedral.

Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park.

Views from the Sydney Tower.

Quilts Delivered in Guatemala

Here are a couple more photos of the Mayan Families-sponsored recipients of some of our Guatemala Bound quilts.  The quilt at top left is by Pat of Idaho.  Unfortunately, I can't identify the quilt on the right; the photo is of the back of the quilt.  But this family does look happy.  The quilt below is by Chris of Vancouver.  Thanks so much to all who've donated their time and talents!

Fabulous Trip

Just returned from a fabulous trip.  It started in Australia.  The main reason for the visit - my son Eric and his Australian girlfriend/now wife, Mel, were getting married.  Mel grew up southeast of Melbourne in the Rosebud area.  Beautiful beaches and small beach towns (reminiscent of where I grew up in Southern California), surf shops and restaurants. There's the happy couple above.  Below is the gang the day before the wedding, including three friends from Alaska - Bryant, Tim, and Rachael. Mel and Eric are on the right.

The beach at Portsea, Victoria, Australia

Wedding day, March 21, 2013. It poured rain during the night, and in the morning there was a pretty fierce windstorm, but the weather cleared up and afternoon turned into a beautiful evening.  There were porpoises playing  in the water nearby.

The boys get prepped.

 The beach at Sorrento, the wedding venue.

Ready to go.

Mel and her dad.

So, after 27 years with just boys, I have a daughter!  I couldn't be happier.