All of the above items were achieved in the morning when we lazed around the apartment. Then we headed via taxi to the Aquarium. The Aquarium was – okay. Here are a few pictures of some unusual sea creatures. Since we are heading to the Great Barrier Reef in about a week, we particularly enjoyed that part of the exhibition.
Post ok-aquarium, we had a nice lunch on the busy tourist street along Darling Harbor. Then we headed to the Museum of Sydney -- an expected gem, and all four of us learned much from the hour-long video on the indigenous people of Sydney. The museum had to close before the end of the video and we were all disappointed. We also learned much from the special room dedicated to the stories of the aborigines, and we now have a better understanding of the names of some of the areas in Sydney and why they are named what they are. For example, Barangaroo is the name of the area next to Darling Harbor (see below for more info).
We also learned more about the time period after 1788 when the 11 convict ships pulled up in Sydney Harbor carrying around 700 convicts and 600 non-convicts. We came away respecting Captain Arthur Phillip who was the first leader in the new colony. He believed in equalizing the classes, so the convicts were not treated as slaves but instead as individuals capable of accomplishing things in the country.
The first government house. The Museum of Sydney is built on top of the location.
It was started immediately, but this version was built from 1788-1845.
It was started immediately, but this version was built from 1788-1845.
Captain Phillip also tried to establish friendly relations with the aborigines after their population had been decimated from small pox. His method of befriending was somewhat unusual, however. One method was to capture and imprison two aborigines. The most influential was a young man named Bennelong, married to Barangaroo (remember that area in Sydney named Barangaroo?). Phillip and Bennelong did become friends, and Bennelong even sailed back to England with Phillip to be introduced to the King of England. Bennelong returned to his people however. The second person captured by the English was Colbee, married to Daringa, but he died shortly after being captured. These were only a few tidbits of the fascinating history of the interaction between the aborigines and the English. Here are a few of the segments dealing with this history:
The shield, rather plain-looking in this depiction, were quite varied and colorful.
Pemulwoy was one of the leaders of the rebellion against the colonists.
Intriguing cloak and background -- see both above and below
Next we strolled through the Botanical Gardens on our way home. It’s a beautiful area, but this time, we paid more attention to the amazing collection of trees.
Elephant foot tree -- an apt name
Flooded Gun or Rose Gum (eucalyptus)
Bermuda Cedar
Lastly, we stopped at a restaurant on Finger Wharf and had a couple of decompression drinks and pizza. Home we went after a relaxing day.
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