Sydney, this wonderful cosmopolitan city, also has many suburban communities that are a ferry ride from the Central Business District (abbreviated as CBD which always had me looking for a good pain relief cream). We took a 15-minute ferry trip out to Taronga Zoo Sydney at Bradley’s Head, a spit of land across the harbor from the Opera House and other familiar sights.

In order to reach the zoo, one takes a bus ride from the ferry dock up a winding hill road. The zoo entrance is at the top of the hill. Visitors work their way down the hill to the inevitable gift shop and then a short walk back to the ferry.

If you look really closely at the two pictures above, you will find a Koala.

Two of my favorite groups to visit. The monkeys were mostly chilling on this hot day. The giraffes, as always, we just “hanging out.” The zoo staff at the Naples Zoo once told me that male giraffes are like adolescent boys, always bumping into each other, gangly and getting into mischief. I always enjoy seeing these giants.

The zoo has an incredible aviary (left). See the bird standing calmly on the first level of the rocks. On the right is a Tasmanian Devil with a fake kill behind it. These little creatures are endangered, and the zoo is trying to save and restore them.

And of course, the Kangaroos. These bad boys-red or grey, are amazing and a bit scary. They were free within a caged “family fun” area with a lot of keepers around. I was a bit spooked by having them hop past me. All in all, it was a fun day at the zoo.

Our final cultural visit in Sydney was to the Australian Museum Sydney to see its permanent exhibit on the history and crafts and life of the many aboriginal and island people of Australia.

Baskets on the left and a ritual carrier used in dances on the right.

A bark canoe, one of several on display and on the right, one of several representations of the story of creation, life, and death.

On the left, a picture for my geology-inclined friends, on the right, me and some other interesting creatures. I thoroughly enjoyed the city of Sydney. The people here are friendly, kind and seem to live a low stress life. There is green space everywhere and the architecture is beautiful. It is the kind of place that one hopes to return to and that makes one sad to leave. Now it is on the Canberra, this island continent’s capital.

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