Sydney Canberra Trip =]

as it's the only one month break I have before retirement essentially, I've decided to make the most of it.
ah yes,, that means sleep in most of the days til the arvo.
bed. good.
But for I allocated four out of the twenty eight days or so, for a trip up north to visit good pals =]

Tested walking from Syd Aiport to Mascot Station which took 20mins, instead of the often online quoted 15mins. However it was definitely worth it  provided you have sunny weather. You do save $20+ if you take this local train compared to the airport train.

Overall:

Sydney -
. busy busy busy! the green pedestrian crossing man blinks when you are only half way through the road.
.people DRIVE CRAZY! (almost died in the first 10 mins, I'm not sure if they know how to give way)
. roads are in bad contintions, many holes
. roads are confusing with one way streets and no left or right turns everywhere
. public transport is very timely and there are lots of services =]
. lots of good food , even in food courts :P

Canberra
. very flat so great place for bicycles! Everyone rides
. bizzare people that have Thirsty Thursdays (where they drink/party) and reserve Friday for Shopping Night as Fridays open later. weird.
. the closest Safeway is really far away from student accommodation
. rectangular uniform prisms for buildings
. kinda boring not much to do
. very cold but no wind
. everyone you bump into is either student or public servant
. ANU is not really easily defined, i would have mistaken driving through it for the rest of the city 

Here are some snapshots.

strolling through Hyde Park with Amy

Museum Walks. So fun!

We caught the first day of the Archibald Prize Art Gallery NSW, and I must say I'm extremely impressed with the young Archies too!! So talented! Happened to meet one of the 8 year olds whose mother was so proud and snapping shots of him next to his painting. 

Artist is only 15!!!

Behind the scenes :)

Museum Cafe, very reflective mood

We featured in the contemporary art space!

colourfull!!!!

walked over to the contemporary art space and just couldn't stop laughing.
i thought these two totally lost the plot as they were staring at a blank wall, 

instead of the awesome display next to them
turns out their bodies covered the tiny plaque explanation of the art hahaha

Opera House

Super tasty expensive dumplings - Din Tai Fung

The interior was lined with fake brick with the slogan "Eat First, Talk Later"

They should open one in Melbourne and make it much much cheaper :P

The colourful ones were of different flavours.
Highly recommend the corn one!

Medical School at ANU
Probably the most interested building apart from Parliament House
that resides there

fun fact: Jackie Chan donated quite a bit of money to this institute as his parents lived in Canberra

Everything in Canberra is just....flat and blocky. Very easy to get lost as nothing really stands out in terms of landmarks, and as such, I guess they have EXCESSIVE SIGNAGE lol.

Visting ANU but Eman and Susie aren't here *sob*

Man-made Lake Burley Giffin Canberra

Breakfast at The Cupping Room with Mayura!!
very nice mushrooms for brekkie, super friendly staff, 

still falls short of Melbourne awesomeness, but it will have to do :P
Spent most of the day 1 wondering book stores and  yes comic book store and day 2 galleries

*source*

As there wasn't much to do we borrowed Salmon Fishing in the Yeman from Civic Library.
Highly recommend the movie that is! The English accents took us by surprise but you do adapt quickly, as you are drawn to the quirky characters and blunt humour.

Plot: A sheikh has a lot of $$ to spend wishes to bring the artful sport of salmon fishing in the yeman in the hopes of bringing his community together. Harriet Chetwode-Talbot (Emily  Blunt) is his consultant and contacts Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan MacGregor) a fisheries expert to complete the mission.

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Very funny, from the name itself speaks the absurdity. The relations between the characters is what makes this film, the project is just an excuse really to bring these individuals together.

This is then coupled with a feisty press secretary to PM (Kristin Scott Thomas) that demands project go a head for the sake of a good news story between West and East. 

Cinematography: Excellent sweeping landscapes and angles

Editing: Crisp , efficient

Predictability: High. Unfortunately as a film student there are shots, angles, takes, framing that does give away the happenings and outcomes. Here's just one example/still/spoiler below

Alfred and Jones always stood very apart in the opening shots, always wore conflicting colours and dress.
Then ohlala now same colour , same dress. 
We know how it ends from here :P

National Sound and Film Archive =]
very pretty quad in the building, but in terms interior layout of exhibition ACMI trumps by far

Had one hour to spare before my bus trip back and was unable to go far, so headed to Canberra Museum & Gallery of Art. So glad i stepped up to level two and was pleasantly surprised by Bob Graham's exhibition.
Children book illustrator with a simple yet impressively touching back story. I recommend if you are in the area. Very family friendly also.

His work space recreated!

 

Flight home. Delayed two hours due to heavy fog in Melbourne. eek.

witnessed a rather disappointed agro person both in the foyer waiting and on the flight.

Impressed with how cabin manager handled it. 

Watched intensely.

Learnt a lot. 

Walked absolutely everywhere and feet hurt by the forth day.

Glad to be home, to sun. =]