Sydney: Post 6

This is the last post about my brief love affair with Sydney!

These photos were taken on the ferry to Manly, a short hop to a vibrant beach and surf community just 30 minutes away from the center of the city. The harbor is packed with all shapes, sizes and types of boat, especially the racing variety.

Driving north, we saw miles upon miles of beautiful beaches. Incredible!

Sydney: Post 5

During my early morning run in the city, I witnessed an amazing display of flying skill by a helicopter pilot who was lifting air conditioning fans from the street to the top of a skyscraper. The helicopter squeezed itself between the buildings, attached a chain link to the equipment and then slowly lifted it to the top. Standing almost directly underneath it (I didn't realize what a bad idea this was until I watched the video later), the rotor blades were literally just a few feet from touching the sides of the buildings and it was only 50 feet or so from the road. The down-draft was breathtaking and the noise deafening due to the confined space. The Australians must think that cranes are for wimps.

Video of helicopter coming into the street:



Helicopter above the street:


Directly above, connecting to the equipment to be lifted:


Directly above with the equipment, on the way to the roof of the building.

Sydney: Post 4

I read this morning that the Australian government is hoping that the new Baz Lurhmann movie "Australia" will revive it's ailing tourist industry. I was a little surprised that visitor numbers dropped in 2008 on already low numbers in 2007. I'm guessing it's less to do with the country and more to do with the distance/cost of flying. It's a long way and it ain't cheap. But the reward for those that brave the journey are quite amazing.

Here are some more pictures from Saturday, the day I had in the city before I left for London. Sadly, the weather was not so good so the shots look a little dull, but I can guarantee that Sydney is a magificent sight whatever the time of year.

Sydney Opera House.


Video of Darling Harbor.


View of Sydney past the Opera House.


Sydney Harbor Bridge.


Sydney Harbor Bridge with the city and Opera House in the background.

Sydney: Post 3

I think cities sometimes look most spectacular at night. Sydney is no exception. It's skyline is very impressive, especially when lights from the buildings reflect off the remarkably clear, still water in the bay. The full moon lured me into taking this shot.

Sydney: Post 2

For the past five days, I have been ensconced in the press room at the Sydney Convestion Centre in Dean Harbor, Sydney during our biggest event in the region. It's been a fantastic week from a work perspective, especially spending time with my local PR guru, but the toll of Orlando, Cannes and Sydney is starting to take it's toll. The lethal cocktail of Berocca and Red Bull for breakfast no longer does enough to kick-start my brain.

However, I now have a full day before I leave for the monster flight home. I'm going to see how much I can cram into 24 hours......

Here are a couple of pictures from my walks to / from the convention centre. Many more pictures to follow when I have access to faster broadband.

Reflection of Darling Harbor off the Conference Centre:


Some interesting shapes.


I have no idea what this is, but it sits in the centre of the city. Must look it up.

Sydney: Post 1

On the approach into Sydney airport this morning, I had the camera handy and I caught this incredible light effect created by the position of the plane to the sun and cloud. If you look closely (click photo for larger size), you'll see a halo-like rainbow effect and the outline of the plane on the cloud. There's a specific term for this phenomenon - I'll look it up in my cloud spotters book when I get home!

Here's the view of Sydney Harbour from the hotel, including the famous bridge. Boy oh boy, I just adore this city.

Hong Kong: flying visit

The flight to Sydney from London is 23 hours. It's 12 hours to Hong Kong, where I'm currently writing, and then 11 hours to Sydney. Believe me; it hurts.

The last time I visited Hong Kong, I spent a whirlwind 24 hours with my local team and saw a few of the main streets. It's like nowhere else I have ever visited (see my earlier blog post in Feb 2007). This time around, it's just another airport in another country on another timezone. Shame, because this is what awaits just a short train ride away:

Cannes

There are worse places to be in November than the beautiful French bay town of Cannes, but on this -- my eighth! -- annual visit, I could of quite easily traded it for a week at home. The reason? Rain, rain and even more rain. It was certainly warmer than the UK, but it was a lot wetter. Hey ho.

This is what the town looks like in better weather.

US election results as they happen!