The Year of the Ox

I may have neglected to mention Ian and Terry—two guys we met on the hike to Manly. They are highly interested in Aborignal rock carving and are associatated with a tour company—Tribal Warrior Tours—that takes folk out to various carvings in the Sydney area. Though they were obviously trying to recruit us for one of their tours, they told us where a lesser known carving of a whale was, 1 of 7 around Sydney apparently. We decided that this would be our Sunday hike. As a side note, they were familiar with and highly interested in the mounds at Devil’ Lake.

The hike took us around to the rest of the harbor that we handt yet walked around. The whale was exactly where we were told it would be and was was pretty cool. Traditionally, these carvings would be re-done every so often, but since the carvings are now protected by the government, they’re starting to wear away. On the way to meet up with the rest of the crew, we walked across the harbor bridge. We had planned to climb it (with a company) but realized that it would be ridiculously expensive.

Upon arriving in downtown Sydney, we found out that there was going to be a GIGANTIC parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year—it put a bit of a damper on picnic plans, but if one cannot picnic, one might as well enjoy an evening parade, right? We stoppedby Woolworth’s (where I got my pomegranate and gingerbeer) and claimed a spot on the route.

I take a secret joy in pageantry, and celebrating the onset of the Year of the O did not disappoint me. Load of dragon dancers, flashing lights, and elegantly lit paper sculptures filled the evening along with a number of highschool marching bands from China. What more could I ask for?

Fireworks, you say? Well, I was in luck. After the parade we made a mad dash to Darling Harbor and sat and enjoyed a spectacular fireworks display over the water. Happy year of the Ox everyone!