Lunar New Year in Sydney

Lunar New Year in Sydney is a lovely time of year.

It's the middle of summer - just perfect for night noodle markets, lanterns and eating out.

The ferry trip into the Quay - you can just spot the new pink pig installation under the sails of the Opera House

Traditionally the city embraces it's Chinese heritage with a Chinese New Year parade in and around Chinatown, dragon boat races on Darling Harbour and other events. However, in recent years, Sydney has looked to be more inclusive of other Asian cultures who also celebrate the Lunar New Year, hence the change of name this year.

This year events were also planned for Cabramatta, Parramatta and all around Sydney Harbour.

The lunar lanterns have become a favourite of mine.

Giant light installations, representing the 12 signs of the zodiac, are placed all around Circular Quay for the 10 days of the Lunar New Year. Red and pink lights also adorned the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

My birthday usually falls in the new year period to give us an extra reason for having a night out in the city. 

Three new lanterns were installed this year. They included a lattice pink pig designed by Chinese sculptor Qian Jian (Justin) Hua and situated on the Sydney Opera House's western boardwalk; a striped ox atop a gongshi (shaped rocks that have long been collected by Chinese scholars) at Cadman's Cottage in the Rocks; and a tower of juggling monkeys at East Circular Quay. 

Last year's flying pigs with their spectacular spiral of 1000 individual pigs returned near the Overseas Passage Terminal in the Rocks.

Dog by Song Ling

Dancing fight roosters by amigo and amigo, co-founded by Simone Chua and Renzo B. Larriviere.

Pig by daylight...

Pig by night.

Tai Chi Rabbit by Claudia Chan Shaw

The Rat lantern is inspired by Guo Jian’s experience of moving to Australia and being embraced and supported by the Sydney LGBTIQ communities. Sadly only half the lights were working by the last night.

The monkey lights did not appear to be on or working the night we visited.

Tiger by Malaysian-born artist Kevin Bathman

Inspired by the famous chariots unearthed alongside the terracotta warriors of Xi’an, artist Qian Jian Hua reimagines the Horse symbol for a modern Sydney audience.

‘Electric Sheep’ is a reference to the Philip K Dick science fiction novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and the design reflects the Australian merino sheep. Pamela See uses a Song Dynasty (960-1279) traditional method of applying papercut designs to lanterns.

Snake by amigo and amigo

As you can see, I loved the flying pigs!
Sadly, our ferry was due to arrive, so we didn't have time to walk around to the dragon...there's always next year!

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot.

Thursday Travels

Thursday Travels @Exploring the World is a new photographic meme that highlights your favourite and best holiday pics.

One at a time.

Some easy to follow rules:

• Pick just ONE photo that shows something unique, unusual or quintessential about your travels.

• You can label it, write a story or do a travelogue piece about your photo if you so desire.

• These photos are about the place, the environment (man-made or natural), panoramas, macros - whatever captures your eye.

• All photos must be your own.

• NO selfies or family pics please.

We're all about the scenery at Thursday Travels!

Cherry blossoms in Hirosaki Park, Aomori, Japan

#ThursdayTravels

Thursday Travels

Thursday Travels @Exploring the World is a new photographic meme that highlights your favourite and best holiday pics.

One at a time.

Some easy to follow rules:

• Pick just ONE photo that shows something unique, unusual or quintessential about your travels.

• You can label it, write a story or do a travelogue piece about your photo if you so desire.

• These photos are about the place, the environment (man-made or natural), panoramas, macros - whatever captures your eye.

• All photos must be your own.

• NO selfies or family pics please.

We're all about the scenery at Thursday Travels!

Atomic Dome, Hiroshima, Japan - in the spring time.

#ThursdayTravels

Thursday Travels

Thursday Travels @Exploring the World is a new photographic meme that highlights your favourite and best holiday pics.

One at a time.

Some easy to follow rules:

• Pick just ONE photo that shows something unique, unusual or quintessential about your travels.

• You can label it, write a story or do a travelogue piece about your photo if you so desire.

• These photos are about the place, the environment (man-made or natural), panoramas, macros - whatever captures your eye.

• All photos must be your own.

• NO selfies or family pics please.

We're all about the scenery at Thursday Travels!

I love playing the panoramic option on my iphone.
This is a pic of Busselton Jetty in W.A.
First built in 1865, extensions were added over the next 100 years until it reached the whooping great length of 1.841 km. It was closed as a Port in 1972 and is now home to an underwater observatory, museum and shops.
The day were we there, was incredibly windy, but since no selfies are allowed, you will have to imagine a wind-swept Brona on the end of the jetty, bracing herself against the strength of the wind!

#ThursdayTravels

Thursday Travels

Thursday Travels @Exploring the World is a new photographic meme that highlights your favourite and best holiday pics.

One at a time.

Some easy to follow rules:

• Pick just ONE photo that shows something unique, unusual or quintessential about your travels.

• You can label it, write a story or do a travelogue piece about your photo if you so desire.

• These photos are about the place, the environment (man-made or natural), panoramas, macros - whatever captures your eye.

• All photos must be your own.

• NO selfies or family pics please.

We're all about the scenery at Thursday Travels!

Today I'm in the Blue Mountains of NSW
Govett's Leap is a lookout over the Grose Valley.
It's part of the Blue Mountains National Park and is open for bush walking.

#ThursdayTravels

Thursday Travels

I love to travel - overseas, interstate and all around my local area.

I've collected a LOT of photos documenting these journeys.

The aim of this meme is to highlight the best ones.

One at a time.

Some easy to follow rules:

• Pick just ONE photo that shows something unique, unusual or quintessential about your travels.

• You can label it, write a story or do a travelogue piece about your photo if you so desire.

• These photos are about the place, the environment (man-made or natural), panoramas, macros - whatever captures your eye.

• All photos must be your own.

• NO selfies or family pics please.

We're all about the scenery at Thursday Travels!

Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan

Outside Shinjuku Station (apparently the busiest station in Japan) is a pedestrian overpass with a great view of the street scene below.

What this busy, busy scene doesn't convey, though, is the incredible quiet and calm that surrounds the city.

I was expecting an onslaught of sound, sirens and the usual city noise.

Instead, all we heard was the quiet hum of electric cars and auto stop-start engines.

There was no blaring music, loud beeping traffic lights or car horns. 

People spoke quietly, using their inside voices, outside.

Everyone's phones were on silent or mute.

People always left the room or removed themselves from the group to talk on their phones.

The only conversations I overheard in public the whole time we were in Japan were from loud tourists!

It was incredible to be in one of the busiest cities in the world and to feel so calm and peaceful.

This article goes a little way to explaining the phenomenon.

#ThursdayTravels