Chinese New Year, Sydney, 2015

February 2015

With 6.5% of Greater Sydney's population identifying as Chinese it's not surprising that the Lunar New Year is well celebrated in Sydney.

There are a number of activities that happen over the Chinese New Year period and these were the few I got to enjoy this year:

Lunar Food Markets
Pyrmont is always a great location for food markets. But go early and eat while your waiting in line for your next dish!

Chinese Lantern Carnival
These were impressive, maybe it was the time of night I went, maybe it was how they reflected off the water fountains, but it was definitely worth the stop.

Dragon Boat Races
It was hot, there was no shade and it made for a miserable day. Next time I would be better prepared with hat and water.

The Lanterns of the Terracotta Warrior 
I wasn't overally impressed by this one, large crowds and hard to get a good view of the warriors.

Round the World - Seven countries in four weeks

December 2014/January 2015

I've been a bit slack in my posting over the past few months, but hoping that as I sort through my photos from my latest trip it will give me the motivation to start it up again.

Berlin

Prague

NYC

 Vancouver

Tokyo

KL

Taj Mahal

Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

July 2014

A work trip in July took me to the town of Toowoomba, located 1.5 hour drive from Brisbane. 

Like most regional towns in Queensland, Toowoomba has its own Botanical Gardens (Queens Park Gardens), which makes for a nice location to run/walk.

The clubs of Australian towns have interesting stories and histories and the Toowoomba Bowling Club, founded in 1900, it is the fourth oldest bowls club in Queensland.

Taro's Ramen, Brisbane, Australia

September 2014

Taro's Ramen is located in Brisbane, which until this trip I never realised how nice it looked at night. Taro's is famous for....it's ramen, and worth finding if in Brisbane.

Mini Salad $4

Gyoza

Tonkotsu Ramen $14.80

Chur Burger and Brett Whiteley Studios, Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia

August 2014

This was my second visit to Chur Burger in Surry Hills. The burger joint is a popular spot, and while you may have to line to get a table, the wait is never long.

Grilled beef, cheese, tomato jam, mustard mayo, pickle burger $10

Sweet Potato fries $5

Within a short walk is also the Brett Whiteley Studio. Run by the NSW Art Gallery, entry is free and a great way to get introduced to the famous Australian artist, open Friday to Sunday.

Central Park, Sydney, Australia

July 2014

Central Park is located between Central Station, UTS and the suburb of Chippendale in Sydney.

Central Park is a residential, shopping and outdoor precinct, with Din Tai Fung being the reason I visited the area.

The site was the location of the Kent Breweries (later brought by Carlton United) and some of the old heritage buildings still stand, making it an interesting mix of old and new.

Din Tai Fung, Sydney, Australia

July 2014

I originally visited Din Tai Fung at its new location in Sydney at Central Park in July, and then again in September.

Vegetarian Delight $6.80

Shanghai Style Drunken Chicken $10.80

Pork Dumpling $12.80/8 pce

The Pork Dumpling is the most famous of the Din Tai Fung dishes

Spicy Pork Dumplings

Shrimp and Pork Shao Mai $10.80/4 pce

Green Bean and Minced Pork $15.80

Dumpling Gems 

Water Spinach with Garlic $13.80

Golden Lava $2.20/pce