I found peace

St Mary's Cathedral

This is where I found peace.
This was last Sunday, I had to visit Australian Museum (I wouldnt go otherwise). On my way, from the relaxing confines of Hyde Park, St. Mary's majestic was inviting. 

Sydney Tower from Hyde Park

This is the place where I found peace, first time I came to Australia. I felt an incredible sense of peace and calm when I entered this old Cathedral. This has nothing to do with religion. Even if you are not of Catholic faith, you will find this church beautiful. It has some sort of majesty. It is one of Sydney's most treasured historic buildings and one of the finest example of English-style gothic churches in the world. Photos were not allowed inside; however, I managed to take few with my phone. The church has some stunning altars, paintings, artefacts and stain glassed windows. The entry is free unlike Australian Museum just across the road at College Street.

Framework of survival

With limited time on my hands, I paid $8 (concession) to get in. I did not take much notice on native livings, birds, insects and gem stones but bones, basically of dinosaurs, elephants and human(Framework of survival). Beside the permanent exhibits, there was 'The Alexander, the Great' on show. 

Parade

Pretty warm day to be inside and enjoy the exhibitions but since I was in hurry, I had to leave. I saw a parade on my way back, I couldn't tell what was the parade for. Also, I met Pope (I guess he is) in Cathedral giving his blessings to visitors.

'The Alexander, the Great'

Inside the Cathedral

Wireframe birds

Wireframe

The Cathedral

 & I pose like a tourist. Yes, I did!

St. Mary's Cathedral & The Australian Museum - NSW, Australia

Kuring-Gai Chase

Kuring Gai Park

The regime(2013): I will probably have to add a few more things to my regimen, but I will hike more frequently if not every week.
Started our walk at Lady Davidson Private Hospital in Bobbin Head Road, North Turramurra. The route followed Cowan Creek, past extensive areas of mangrove swamps, through to Bobbin Head then followed Cockle Creek back back to North Turramurra. 

             

A first time hiker, my sister (not blood) was excited to see the wilderness. She was more anxious when we encountered few unwanted visitors. When the team leader would stop by for a brief. Say, he would explain why water creeks would be favourable spots for snakes and lizards. We would watch around for possible attacks, and that would creeps us out thinking there's no way out (we being the last in the line). There were few screams in the group. Yes, leeches and lizards, on the trees, under the hoods and a huge one crawling our way . Besides, we had a wonderful time. 

Red hooked crabs

The route offered an amazing view. We explored Cockle Creek at water level. We witnessed, thousands of little red hooked crabs in the mangroves and a wallaby in Kuring-gai chase National Park. 

Suspension

We also passed through few rock overhangs and cave like, must be old aboriginal midden (just a guess). We popped into the cafe at Bobbin Head for a light meal. Well, our light meal was not light, therefore I had to feed the fish (although the sign said Not to); that was the fun part of the walk. I fed them Vitamin 'J' (Junk, as the team leader says).

Feeding Vitamin J

That was the thrill of the Kuring-gai chase...  chase of the creep.

Bobbin Head, Kuring-gai chase - New South Wales, Australia 13 km Grade medium