This is the personal blog of Amit Karmakar about web, mac & life in Sydney, Australia
Too much work and no play is making me dull and boring… well, not exactly… work has been busy and yet another travel plan is brewing… so hold your horses I will write soon. But until then here are 2 photos from around Mosman.
Sunset from Middle-head, Chowder Bay, Mosman
Realxing at Berry island. Photo credit: DS
Another beautiful Weekend… the good news more than anything else is that it has indeed started to feel like Spring. Finally! Unfortunately though, I have been down with a bit of hay fever and allergies. I took some medication off the counter to get rid of the hay fever but most non-prescription medications don’t seem to work well! I tried the non-drowsy Sudafed and that got me no where, then I tried antihistamine — Livostin worked only temporarily. By this stage - 3rd day by the way and I was fed up and feeling miserable I decided to go ask for the real Sudafed off the counter after explaining the conditions and an ID check. I mean the one that has Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride in it, the only good decongestant at the chemists probably. We have had a busy week last week and the weekend was busy as well… of many things we did including catching up with friends at Amo Roma Italian, Sailors Thai, coffee at The Rock’s Cafe, Wall-e, T2 some home cooking and some yummy Ravani that D had baked… and to a lovely little picnic with the family down at Berry Island.
We went down to the big smoke this morning. Since we didn’t have any particular plans for the morning, we strolled around and walked into the Queen Victoria Building and had lunch (more on that at D’s soon). Its not often I take my camera along with me these days but if you do have a camera in hand and happen to walk in QVB don’t they all look at you like a tourist? 
Funny that!
Continue reading ‘That beautiful old Queen Victoria Building’
I am going to start this post of by quoting a few things of Andrew Denton’s Elders on ABC. Much of what I am going to say is actually better summarised in those quotes and having watched Andrew interview Bob Hawke left me more than just inspired. The simplicity of the chat, the truthfulness and the love for honest human feelings expressed juxtaposed with pauses and deep silence and reminiscence of yesteryears warmed the inner cockles of my heart. It is very hard to surmise these feelings in a post however long it may be. If you watched this interview you’re probably in agreement but if you haven’t you could still catch the abbreviated videos online. Remarkable honest and touching interview. Brilliant work there Andrew.
We had a short but lovely break at the enchanting picturesque Kangaroo Valley last weekend. Kangaroo Valley is situated between the regions of Shoalhaven and the Southern Highlands. Last weekend despite a rainy Friday out of Sydney and the late start on the motorway — the drive was really smooth all the way through and actually look less time than expected. Since we left late afternoon we couldn’t see much beyond the lights of our own car racing down the pitch black of the night but the meandering roads around the Morton National Park past the Fitzroy Falls and then on to the historic sandstone Hampden Bridge and then Kangaroo Valley is really breath taking. We took a little turn off the main street into the golf course which was going to be home for the next 2 nights. In the morning while we were making our big cooked breakfast we had a pack of kangaroos big and small… a whole little family of 5 that hopped along and came by almost to our breakfast deck and stopped to check out their new neighbours! It was a sight to behold how they came by to check on us as we made breakfast… not to mention a huge wombat came and stopped in the middle of the road as we were coming into the valley the previous night… The Wombat knew we were going to stop so it didn’t really hurry across rather stopped and inspected us and then shuffled away slowly into the bush across the road, ah life is so difficult! It made our day… and then to see wild kangaroos up so close - it was commune with nature in more ways than one. There is a very good reason they call this place The Kangaroo Valley.
We were up in Mt Tomah for the morning the other weekend soaking up all the autumn colours. As we walked past the different Waratahs and Proteas this particular King Protea caught my attention. When I got closer to the Protea and was ready to shoot I realised there were some bees buzzing inside the beautiful flower and I heard another 2 buzz past my ear and land right in the centre of the flower… I didn’t waste any time and shot away and was happy with the result. I’d make a wallpaper out of this shot soon, if you want a copy make sure you leave a comment.
King Protea was originally from the Cape Town area in South Africa. It is the national flower of South Africa. More information can be found here, here and here.
It was about six in the evening when we walked back in the Boathouse Restaurant… the place was immaculately set and looked very nice. In the short time between the wedding and the reception, you’d remember me mentioning the sun being out followed by the promising rainbow — but by this time it was raining again. It started off with a light drizzle and kept alternating between heavy and light pours. We were inside chatting, congratulating, jubilating and having a good time… it was fun to meet so many of Ruth’s childhood friends and their partners some of whom I had met earlier in Sydney. Loretta & David, Katie & Gavin, Nick, Laila, Rebecca, John, Jake… the list continues. We got to meet a whole new circle of her childhood friends and Andrews family and some of his friends too.
It was three in the afternoon. We were at the Boat House in Noosaville mingling with friends, family and loved ones to share in Ruth and Andrew special day… such a privilege indeed. There was a vague hint of a rainbow in the sky. Soon we heard lots of smiles, squeals of joy and I could tell Ruth was about… that long awaited beautiful moment was upon us. The bride had arrived — she looked really beautiful and busting with joy from within… what a precious and memorable moment it was. The celebrant started in earnest.
Saturday was Ruth and Andrew’s big day. The ceremony was to be held at Maison La Plaga Grove in the backdrop of the Pacific ocean skirting the hills in the horizon. Noosa is truly gorgeous, you’d already know this if you’ve been up there… It poured on and off all day. We had wandered down for a walk earlier in the day to the Noosa Heads when there was a short respite from rain. The sky had cleared out as you’d notice in the photo below but in just about fifteen minutes from taking this photo we were running for shelter. It pelted down so heavy we gave the leisurely walk down Hasting street a miss and ran back to our car! Good thinking Ruth and Andrew for having an alternative arrangement in mind!
Continue reading ‘Before the wedding’
UPDATE: Oops! The slideshow is not working at the moment as I have changed a few things around but will be back before you know it. Thanks for your patience.
We have been lucky to escape the Aussie summer this year as we’re in Europe for what is usually the worst sultry part of the summer in Australia — end of January and February. But as luck would have it even though we officially entered Autumn on the 1st of March 2008 we had a few rather humid and somewhat stifling days in March, possibly making up for what we had tried to escape…
Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.I have written about Animal Cruelty before and here again I got a lovely little something from Liz that echoes my thoughts. I much rather quote:
If you live in Sydney and love walkabout trails you’d already know that access to the Headland Park is now open to the public from sunrise to sunset. There is a gorgeous walking track that links Chowder Bay and Balmoral on the other side of the headland. The newly found park covers the former defence lands at Chowder Bay, Georges Heights and Middle Head in Mosman and holds a spectacular view of the north and the south heads. We had a little stroll there the other day and came back with some photos. Here are a few.
If you live around Sydney do not miss this hidden gem. There is a lot of information here about its history and access and of course the famous Gunners Tearoom. Sydney Morning Herald did a review on them sometime back! And of course you’re like me and love the thought of walking but not really… shh! its accessible by sea plane and water taxi. Take your pick.
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A couple of photos from last weekend
Not long to go now before we head off to Cairns. We are all very excited about our upcoming trip. We did have the luxury of visiting Sunshine Coast, Queensland earlier this year in February even though it was a short holiday. Holidays are never long enough are they? It was a lovely few days of soaking up all the decadence we could at the lovely sun drenched beaches of Noosa and picturesque hinterlands of Maleny and Glass House Mountains. Queensland is beautiful. Fascinating! Stunning! No wonder they say “its beautiful one day and perfect the next“.
New South Wales is lovely but Queensland is just stunning. It really is… and now you know why I just cant wait to get on that plane and be in that beautiful paradise state of Queensland yet again. And in the company of loved ones its heaven on earth.
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