Having realized, only this week, that a computer breaking down is the equivalent to a plane crash, sinking cruise ship, or high speed train derailment...in Virtual Travel.
Who knew?
But here we are.
Although the Opera House is the most recognizable Sydney structure...kind of like Paris' Eiffel Tower...there is so much to see in this capital of New South Wales.
Quick City Tour
https://youtu.be/Y98sFP8Z0fc
The first people to inhabit Sydney were indigenous tribes. They populated the area for 40,000-55,000 years based on carbon dating and stone tools found.
On January 26th, 1788 The British would land The First Fleet loaded with convicts to, what they would soon name Sydney Cove, with the intention of establishing a penal colony. Prisoners were not confined in Sydney...the punishment was the transportation.
Now January 26th is considered Founder's Day in Sydney and celebrated.
Like many of America's Indigenous People...and their view of Columbus Day...the ancestors of the tribes that were nearly eradicated during the settlement are less celebratory and lobbying still for another day to be set aside to celebrate Australia.
Convicts were transported to the Sydney colony until 1840.
The average January temperature in Sydney is 79 degrees and January is the middle of Australia's Summer. The high in January has reached 114 degrees.
Today we will begin with Sydney's Chinatown
https://youtu.be/3ndcwIbnSus
12,054 miles from The United States- yet Chinatown is eerily the same as those I have actually visited in Chicago, Boston and San Francisco.
Tight, reservedly friendly, quiet and dignified shop keepers and marketplaces overflowing with fish and fresh produce, the latest gadgets and knickknacks. Strands and strands of beautiful pearls.
And inexpensive.
A beautiful 8-9 mm Akoya Set: Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings in .925 sterling silver only around 10.00 US.
A steal.
The fishmarket with both dried and fresh fish and assorted seafood (and crocodile) an assault on the olfactory senses.
Streetside Quigong exercise...old men playing Mah-Jongg on benches...the pentatonic notes of a zheng being played outside a shop. As if you have suddenly stepped into a different world. Because you have.
And the food!
Everywhere the air filled with co-mingled smells of stir-frying, grilling, baking, steamed jasmine rice.
So wonderful it has actually spawned a side-tourist industry known as the Food Court Crawl. A guide will take you from place to place (for a fee) and you can sample the best of what each restaurant has to offer...their specialty.
PSA:
Avoid the Lotus Bean
Pastry...looks like DELICIOUS food...but as I learned in Chinatown Chicago...NOT actually food at all. Bleah!
Trust Me.
Also avoid the Sesame Seed Balls (Banh-Cam) originally from Vietnam
Nasty.
But don't take my word for it...gag on one yourself.
The Quintessential Chinese Soy Chicken Recipe
(found in every Chinatown...and delicious)
In medium bowl combine garlic, ginger, white pepper, soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar and honey.
Coat pieces of boneless chicken with cornstarch until evenly covered.
Cook the chicken completely in wok over high heat
Add sauce and stir until thickened.
Remove from heat.
Serve over Jasmine rice and garnish with chopped green onions.
Enjoy!
Finally, a quick walk through Chinatown Sydney at Night
https://youtu.be/W7oMn8fcMsE
An online purchase I made. Set in sterling silver.
More soon...
