Night Noodle Markets, Hyde Park, Sydney

Wordless Wednesday

The Night Noodle Markets have been an integral part of Good Food Month (October) since 1998.

With over 50 food stalls, several bars and nightly entertainment, Hyde Park comes alive with Asian hawker-style markets.

Entry is free; crowds can be huge!

Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park, Sydney

Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park

"Mirrored in Hyde Park's Pool of Reflection is this 1934 Art Deco monument built to commemorate Australia's WW1 dead. It now records the sacrifices made by thousands of Australians in subsequent conflicts. The Hall of Memory is on the upper level overlooking Raynor Hoff's moving statue, and the Hall of Silence is on the ground floor. A small museum on the ground floor features photographs and artifacts. Open 9am - 5pm daily."

 

One item not mentioned in the Top 10 Sydney blurb is that if you arrive at 11am you will be asked for silence as the Last Post is played and the Ode of Remembrance recited.

 

On the day I visited, I was heartened to see a few returned soldiers there with their families as well as several small groups of tourists. Everyone stopped and remained silent and respectful throughout the brief remembrance ceremony.

 

I've never understood how people can confuse these ceremonies with glorifying war. It's about remembering those who died during war. It's about being thankful and grateful (not only for those who sacrificed their lives and health by fighting but also for my husband and family of boys who have never had to go off to war). It's about hoping we never have to participate in a bloody, brutal, devastating world war ever again.

 

The Anzac Memorial is at the southern end of Hyde Park.

It was designed by Charles Bruce Dellit as a memorial and as a place to assist those who returned.

(Click on the link above if you'd like to read more about the history of the Memorial.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

       This post is also part of my personal Sydney Challenge.

Hyde Park, Sydney

   

The other week, on my way to the Museum, I strolled through sections of Hyde Park, enjoying the lovely summer's day in the shade of the enormous fig trees.

 

Hyde Park is effectively split in two by Park Street.

 

The southern section features the Anzac memorial, while the northern section is best known for the Archibald Fountain.

 

 During this visit I focused on the southern section of Hyde Park (opposite the Museum) where there is an elaborate Gothic-style water fountain. It was erected by businessman and philanthropist John Frazer (1827-1884) who was a Member of the Legislative Council of the New South Wales Parliament in the 1880s.

 

 

 The fountain was designed by the city architect, Thomas Sapsford, and carved in Pyrmont stone by Lawrence Beveridge.

The basin for the fountain is made of Scottish granite.

 

 

There is now a modern bubbler sitting inside the basin.

 

I find the idea of drinking from this bubbler rather daunting.

Such grandeur, pomp and circumstance for a wee drink of water.

I expect applause and a military band to start playing when I walk up the steps!

 

On the city-side of the water fountain there is a monument to Captain James Cook.

The Sculptor was Thomas Woolner. 

 

 

The east coast of Australia abounds with monuments to Cook.

Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne even went so far as to buy the old English cottage he grew up in and transplanted it to Victoria in 1934.

 

In 2010 my husband and I honeymooned in Hawaii.

We visited Kealakekua Bay (below) where Captain Cook was killed in 1779.

(the haze is the vog that covers the main island of Hawaii - not my dodgy photography!)

 

 

 

Saturday Snapshot is a meme hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books.

The rules are simple:

 

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken and leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.  

This post is also part of my personal Sydney Challenge.