The Land Down Under is more than just kangaroos, koalas, and rowdy beer drinkers. The only continent, which is also its own country, is home to one of the most unique cultures on the planet. Most of the population lives near beach, the land is both beautiful, as it is hostile, and the indigenous people have maintained a presence that has lasted for many millenia. Not bad for a country that began as a penal colony.
With my stomach full from lunch, and the day still sunny and warm, I headed down towards the edge of the Hawkesbury River Marina to do something I neglected to do the first time I was here in 2009: take a ferry ride up the river! I remember a small pier and shelter box next to the railroad tracks, where I remember also seeing a small barge; it looked vaguely like...
And so, we return to the present: September of 2013 in the town of Brooklyn, NSW, Australia. I was most fortunate to come back to this idyllic region, especially on such a sunny, warm day! No really, it was one those days that only existed in the minds of daydreams, children, or the animal denizens of the bush. The sky, an azure blanket accompanied by a warm...
To really get this story on the Hawkesbury River moving forward, we must go back to the beginning. To a place, far, far way. To a time, a long, long time ago. To New York City, in August of 2005! I had just heard of a foreign film from Australia that was being shown at one of those fancy, yet obscure indie-film houses in lower Manhattan. A limited run of this...
“HAWKESBURY RIVER NEXT STOP!” was what it said on the electronic display sign inside the train. I sat, my heart thumping in my chest, with my hands stroking my backpack, as I watched the green scenery pass by me in a slow blur. It had been less than one hour since my train took off from Central Station, and I was counting down all the stops along the...
I have to say that even in pouring rain with a sky of grey, Sydney is still a beautiful city. A deluge of rain beating down on the pavement does not bring a bit of gloom to such a scenic city. In fact, in such a dry country, rain is often looked at as a sign of good things to come. During one of my visits to the Redfern Oval, I had a most fortunate encounter that...
After splurging on enough Souths gear that would make both Madge and Reggie red and green envy, I headed back to the oval for today’s match: a meeting of the Souths Juniors against a team from England. I was really looking forward to seeing the game; I was in need of a win after seeing those accursed Roosters beat my Bunnies! In short, I needed some kind of...
Brian, Brigitte, Tanya, and I ambled our way into the four-story building across the street from the Redfern Oval on Chalmers Street. Inside this ordinary building in one Sydney’s most historic neighborhoods, lay a treasure trove of red and green. Inside this building, on the top floor, is a wonderland of items all emblazoned with the beloved symbol of the...
Having already immersed myself in the red and green choir of The Burrow at ANZ Stadium, I was already hankering to experience more of this wonderful sport sub-culture of Sydney. The next morning after the Rd. 26 match, I jumped further down the rabbit hole and into the wonderland that is the Redfern Oval. A place so beloved and revered by every Rabbitohs fan, some...
During my fun-filled road trip along the Illawarra escarpment with my old tour guide, he brought me to his hometown of Corrimal. But, we concluded our day long adventure in the largest city along the escarpment, Wollongong, or as he calls it, “The Gong!” I able to see the skyline of this small city from a rooftop in Corrimal, but it wasn’t until...
Moments after meeting Mario Fenech outside ANZ Stadium, I was practically on cloud nine! Little did I know that I’d be on cloud, uh, I wanna say nine and-a-half? Ten, perhaps? Anyhoo, I went right back to drinking and shmoozing it up with my bunny brethren. I immediately went around showing everyone the latest autograph addition to my poster. Normally, I...