Sydney, part two and Finis

G’day, mates! We continued to wander the harbor environs.

The Rocks Christmas Markets was a fun, seasonal, weekend-type event that had many unique items for sale. It was a series of merchandise and food booths that stretched for several blocks.

This booth had giant bugs for sale.

Augh! Could somebody give me a broom?

The Christmas mood was elevated by this lively all-female choir, singing “Must Be Santa” in front of an old police station.

How about a little something from the bar-bie?

Mmm… How about some skewers of crocodile, or kangaroo?

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-rocks-markets-the-rocks

On our last day, our favorite daughter chose to visit the Australian Museum. It was a great choice, having a little bit of everything under one roof.

I had to see the dinosaur exhibit. There was this life-sized model of a gigantosaurus, a meat eater bigger than T-rex!

This certainly catches the eye, as if a display was making its escape.

To see a live platypus would have been terrific, but we had to settle for this stuffed one.

https://australianmuseum.net.au/

https://www.yelp.com/biz/australian-museum-sydney-3

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g255060-d256713-Reviews-Australian_Museum-Sydney_New_South_Wales.html

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There were many interesting signs throughout the city.

Isn’t “lollie” the Cantonese word for “coating on the tongue”?

I don’t know what one does with placentas, and I don’t think I want to know.

This sign was outside the Café Claudine.

And here’s a terrific play on words.

I really would have liked to patronize a clever business like this. Sadly, it was tagged with a sign that read “Permanently closed.”

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Going through an Australian grocery store, one could find oddities.

Would this be pronounced “boo-yah”?

Snap, crackle, pop — Rice… BUBBLES!?!

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Some final thoughts about New Zealand:

I knew I would like New Zealand, but found it to be far more enjoyable than I imagined.

There was a small town feel everywhere in the country. The majority of the highways we traveled were only two lanes. The big cities have expansion limits, in order to protect the regional wild flora and fauna.

 

Visiting New Zealand is like seeing Hawaii and Britain at the same time. Its volcanic soil’s richness nourishes the lush green landscapes; and the ubiquitous Maori tribal culture and friendly laid-back lifestyle all remind one of Hawaii.

Its left-sided driving, English-accented speech, and rich British history made me think of the British Isles.

That’s all for now. I’m thankful for the beauty of the Lord’s creation, and His providential care over our trip. I hope you had a good time!

And I leave you with this old Irish blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.