Round-up of week 2 of this challenge and more of my temporary abode. Wi-fi has been in short supply this week mostly due to the corrupt practice that large corporate hotel-chains have of charging exorbitant rates for a connection. Even though we paid for 24 hours in the room, that was restricted to one, yes you read that correctly, one device. Ā I was able to have an hour free in the lobby with a weak connection. My best connection was in the Customs House library, a lovely place close to the Circular Quays, which was not only free, but also not time restricted. Ā And, if you are wondering, you also get 45 mins or 300 Mb on the ferries. All of which leads into the first theme of the week:
Connect
It seemed appropriate to post an image of Sydney Harbour Bridge aka ‘The Coathanger’ because of its arch-based design, as this iconic bridge connects the north shore and the CBD.
More connections are made at the aforementioned Customs House Library and a rather lovely connection has been made Ā with a fellow blogger, the irascible ( š )Margaret Rose Stringer who very kindly provided me with a lovely lunch and a good old chin-wag on one of the hottest days in Sydney so far. Arriving hot, sweaty and red in the face she must have thought I was going to expire on her doorstep – blame it on the Pyrmont Bridge I say, which provides noĀ shade whatsoever!
Landmark
Photographed from various angles I hope you like my perspectives ofĀ this instantly recognizable landmarkĀ in Sydney.
The Natural World
A trip up to the Blue Mountains has provided the material for this theme, though I could have used any number of photos from this trip so far. As those of you who kindly read this blog will know, I love to play with angles, perspectives and composition as well as seeking out shapes, textures and strong horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines. I have some super city shots that will find themselves in a post at some stage. Meanwhile here is the natural world.
More images of the flora in Australia can be found on my Earth Laughs in Flowers blog where I am challenging my Aussie pals to identify the wonderful varieties they have there.
Ā Warmth
Today we are asked to consider how photographers ‘draw with light’. Ā Leaving Shelly Beach in Manly the early evening light cast a warm glow on these sea kayakers.
And I can’t resist a photo of another Eastern Water Dragon basking in the warmth of the sun on a rock in the Chinese Friendship Garden.
Mystery
And finally I leave you with a mysterious art installation in the centre of the CBD.
Hopefully next week I will have a more constant connection and be able to post and comment a bit more, in between finding new subjects to photograph, naturally š
TRAVEL WORDS 
this is a great journey by itself – excellent and balanced with images and details!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment š
I despair of hotels charging for wifi. Outrageous. I love your photos of the Blue Mountains and indeed the art thingy in the CBD. I don’t recall that. Is it recent? I was last there in 2006.
It’s indecent – the wifi charges that is. Only get away with it because these places run on conferences and business men who don’t care as they just charge it on expenses. I honestly don’t know why they can’t all just do video conferencing, except that it would put a lot of hotels and airlines out of business! (Rant over…)
Sorry to hear of your connection problems. Strange to read about the hot weather too, when it is so gloomy here. Great shots of the Opera House though, as we almost never see any unusual perspectives of that building. I hope that you continue to enjoy your stay, despite the Internet problems.
Regards as always, Pete. x
Oh Pete, I wish I could bottle the light and bring it back with me. It is so much brighter than what we get even in the middle of summer. Supposed to get hotter this week too which may limit my travels, I would like to do more walks but I’m not so good in the high humidity. Will look for shady places š
Love your photos, Jude, especially those geometric patterns from the opera house – nicely observed. Sorry to hear of your wifi woes ….
Hopefully it will be OK next week. Have my doubts about New Zealand though…
I have some lovely geometric shots of some of the high rise buildings here in the CBD. I must try and put a post together to showcase them. I have a crick in my neck from looking up!
Look forward to seeing more geometric images, and hope your neck recovers soon! š
Unfortunately NZ connections are worse than here.
The cabin we are renting is supposed to have broadband/internet so we shall see what that means! Still another couple of weeks before then though so hopefully I will get some posts written š Especially if it is too hot to go out!
Weather is definitely indoor computer weather at the moment. Just had friends from NZ visiting and they nearly melted…
Your photos are outstanding and you’ve chosen the most interesting ones. I’ve never been to Australia so this is the next best thing. For now. š
WiFi in hotels is ridiculous, I agree.
Thank you Tess š I have already taken loads of photos so selecting just a few is hard, but I am using this challenge to focus on a few. There will be a lot of posts about Australia when I am back in the UK in the depth of winter – you will get to know this part of the world very well š
I look forward to it. Thank you. Thank you. ā¤
Lovely synopsis of various locations – I was unaware of the intriguing patterns on the opera house. Dragons, lizards, and gekkos always give me pause; they carry our prehistoric past in every step. And the cage art is awesome – i don’t care for birds as pets, but have collected a few artistic bird cages and birdhouses myself š
I was surprised to hear about the wi-fi charges. The hotels I’ve stayed in here and in france & austria did not charge for usage. That is definitely frustrating.
Glad you are enjoying yourself š
Thank you Sammy. The patterns are fascinating! Cream tiles and white reflective tiles. The roof looks amazing in sunlight, but rather dingy when cloudy. The art installation is about all the birds that have been lost since the city has been built. I hate birds in captivity too.
Lost how? Because the city expanded and took over habitat?
Exactly that. The installation is accompanied by bird song recordings from species that once sang in central Sydney, before Europeans settled and forced them away. Some can still be heard on the city margins. The names of the birds are carved into the paving stones, but I didn’t get them.
Looks like a super time, Jude š Processing and editing will definitely keep you out of mischief for a while when you get back.
It will that Jo! Though I hope to get some editing done here so I can work on the posts once back. I have a couple of walks already, and some fabulous windows for Dawn š
I love your mystery photo. It has the makings of an Alfred Hitchcock movie!
Thanks! I hoped it fitted into the mystery theme š
Wonderful set of photos. Totally reinvigorated my need to revisit Sydney again! The mysterious picture is really intriguing. Whereabouts in the CBD is it?
It is in Angel Place nr Martin Place on the George Street side. Glad you are enjoying the photos. When did you visit Sydney?
Ohh! I used to live there for a bit. Somehow I’ve never caught sight of this!
Jude I can very much appreciate the challenges of traveling and searching for the illusive Wifi. what a lovely post in spite of it all. It warms my heart, and makes me a bit envious, that you got to meet the wonderful M-R in person. The bird cage art exhibit is astounding. I feel as though I am standing there with you gazing at it.
Well you know me Sue, always up for a challenge. Even though it can be testing at times (not to mention the fear of meeting the indomitable matron of the internet…). I shall try and be a bit more active this week if the connection at my son’s flat is any good!