Transportation (Post#5) : 1940 Studebaker Commander Sedan with gas producer
During war, lots of products and commodities are being scarce, one of this product is petrol. Lots of vehicles forced to off the road due to this reason. Other vehicles turned to alternative fuel sources such as gas producer units. One of the sedan below has gas producer at its rear end. These photos are part of Canberra Day Tour June 2013 Collection.
Discovery (Post#16) : Mosquito – “Wooden Wonder Aircraft”
Whether its memorial or museum, there is always something to learn and to discover. In all my souvenir photos that I captured inside Australian War Memorial, one of the things that interesting to learn about ‘Mosquito’. Mosquito is one of the aircraft used during World War II which very unique at that time. Why its unique? The aircraft is mostly made of plywood and balsa wood and it was extremely fast and could fly a long distance. Mosquito flew by RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) from 1942 to 1953. The photo is part of Canberra Day Tour June 2013 Collection.
Event (Post#1) : Australian War Memorial – Last Post Ceremony
During my visit in Australian War Memorial, I had a chance to witness the Last Post Ceremony being held everyday in the memorial before closing the building for the day and as farewell to the visitors. When I witness the event, it was a reflective commemoration activity to honor and recognized those who died in the name of service for the country. These people are not only the people died in the past world wars, but even the Australian died in the past and present conflicts they were sent to serve. These photos are part of Canberra Day Tour June 2013 Collection.
Parliament House building tour was completed, what’s next? We were back again in the road and driving around Canberra, and in few minutes we were at the next tour destination which is a museum. One thing that I noticed while touring in Canberra is the idea of making the building in the city to be the national institution. The name of the country or nation is either on the building’s or structure’s name. If Parliament House in Canberra is called as Australian Parliament House, the museum’s name in the city has the same case and called as National Museum of Australia.
While I was still in the bus, when we were approaching the museum, my expectation of its building was different. At the back of my mind, its probably like historical structure, an old and classic building, and then we passed a loop shape structure with bold colors which surprised me as that structure signifies modern art and then we had a full stop in the parking lot. Looking at the nearby building ahead of us, I knew to myself that I was wrong in my expectation. It was my mistake because Canberra was not old enough to its development to have a very old and historic buildings like in Sydney and Melbourne, and the city’s development had been pending during Depression and World War II years.
The Loop (the modern art shape that serve as walkway from parking towards the museum)
The building that we approached has a modern architecture. The bold colours and design of the building is new and unique, even its surroundings convey its modern concept, I like what I am seeing in my surroundings.
National Museum of Australia is not the typical museum with a concept of displaying historical and physical archives about its nations history. Its concept is story telling of people who live in the country and even who just passed by Australia.
At the time of the visit, the museum’s exhibit has a theme of “Glorious Day” which coincides with the centenary celebration of the city. It features the artwork, music, and photographs during 1913.
Looking at my photos during my visit, there is only one photo that I captured related to theme at that time which was just the piano.
The regular or permanent exhibit display in the museum that I found are below and since they are home exhibit in the museum, these can still be found inside National Museum of Australia.
Ernie Old’s Malvern Star bicycle
Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies steam engine
Endeavor Cannon
Simplex Windmill from Kenya Station
The Percival Gull Six monoplane came with a reputation for high performance
Sunshine harvester
Saw Doctor’s wagon
Ranken family coach
I went to the cafe of the museum and I was surprised that I found a scenic views that I will enjoy, where I got a chance to see the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, National Library of Australia, Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and the Lake Burley Griffin itself or Molonglo River.
Captain Cook Memorial Jet
National Library of Australia
Commonwealth Avenue Bridge
Lake Burley Griffin or Molonglo River
After enjoying the museum, we went at the back of the building to see a a place like playground that most youngster can really enjoy at that time. But now you cannot see exactly what I had seen before since this has changed to now they called “Garden of Australian Dreams”.
I enjoyed the visit in the museum. Learned something about Australia again.
Colors (Post#7) : Saw Doctor’s Wagon – A Home and A Workshop All In One
Wondering what’s in the photo? It is a mobile home and a workshop. This collection is being displayed at National Museum of Australia. People has instinct to survive no matter what is the condition he has in life. This wagon is both a home and workshop of Harold Wright for more than 30 years who migrated from England to Australia during Depression time. And because of high unemployment, this is one thing he created so he survived and he promotes himself as ‘The Saw Doctor”. Understanding how this wagon survived until this day? This has been sold to a secondhand dealers and before it was scrapped, it was saved by collector and then bought by National Museum of Australia. I honestly admired how this country putting an effort to preserve such wagon so people will know and understand how Harold and other people like him to survived that time. This photo is part of Canberra Day Tour June 2013 Collection.
Source: Informative facts above came from National Museum of Australia.
Discovery (Post#15) : Ernie Old’s Malvern Star Bicycle
Anybody can discover and learn something inside the museum. One of the collection display that I saw is Ernie Old’s Malvern Star Bicycle. What’s the story about this bicycle? This bike has been given to Ernie by Malvern Star company and Ernie used this for long distance cycling across different capitals in Australia. And another amazing facts about it, he did those long cycling events when he is in his 70’s to 80’s of age which is really a remarkable thing to know. This photo is part of Canberra Day Tour June 2013 Collection.
Source: Informative facts above came from National Museum of Australia
I traveled to Sydney for 4 times while living in Australia. But the commonality of these 4 trips in the city, all were short trips, mostly from less than 24 hours up to more than 48 hours. Most of my traveled in the city the intention was to just passed it except during my last flight which was really meant for Sydney.
I knew there were so much places to visit in Sydney and I thought that anyone can create a lots of bucket list because the city offers so much to anyone, to everyone. During my few trips in the city I found myself to be in the following places and I ranked them by my own reasoning and personal preferences. If you had visited Sydney and had been in places in my list, what will be your top list?
TOP 1 – BLUE MOUNTAINS
I had a chance to travel to Blue Mountains during my second trip in Sydney. For this trip, my only itinerary was to join a tour in one of the nearest mountain ranges from Sydney which is Blue Mountains and to visit one of the caves which is Jenolan Caves. Since I didn’t knew how to drive, my only option was to be part of a group tour because there was no public transportation available directly to that place. When I saw Blue Mountains, there was another dream that I was thinking at that time, if only I had a chance to explore even just part of that mountain range.
TOP 2 – JENOLAN CAVES
Another part that I enjoyed was tour inside the Jenolan Caves because its one of the caves that even its being protected, the public still got a chance to see the major crystal formations even from a distance since it has tourist trail to follow. The tour is one of the best time I had while visiting Sydney or let’s say visiting New South Wales.
TOP 3 TO 9
BONDI, TAMARAMA, BRONTE, CLOVELLY, GORDONS BAY, COOGEE AND MANLY
If you are fond with water scenery, enjoy water activities or just wanted to have fresh air while enjoying the walk near the sea-shore, you can select any of the above beaches. I don’t have the intention to really walk the trail from Bondi to Coogee since I have no knowledge about the trail, but because I enjoyed the scenery, I just go with the flow and entrap with the beauty that surrounds me. I never regret that I finished the walking trail.
TOP 10 – SYDNEY HARBOUR
Who does not know about Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge? These are famous icons not only in Sydney, not only in Australia but famous icons in the world. I had a chance to be here twice in my 4 trips in the city, happened during my first and my last trip in Sydney. Here’s my opinion about the place, for me, there is something in the harbour that keeps people on coming back in the place. It’s a place that I thought I will never be tired to visit the area again and again.
TOP 11 – DARLING HARBOUR
Geographically, Darling Harbour is part of Sydney Harbour. I wanted to emphasize the place since it’s not far from Circular Quay and it offers a different scenery which unique on its own. My visit here was accidental because my intention was really just pass the harbour since I was on my way to a tour. But while walking in the area, I cannot stop myself to stop a bit and enjoy the surrounding area. They usually call the harbour as the ‘Heart of Sydney’ since it’s a place of entertainments that offers great waterfront dining. But if your intention was just to walk around the area like what happened to me, you will be alright.
TOP 12 – QUEEN VICTORIA BUILDING
It is the only building that I visited in Sydney. Just for this building, I was already fascinated. Sometimes I am wondering about the other buildings to see in the city, but I never had a chance to do that anymore. The way I see Queen Victoria Building or QVB, it is the mother of all arcades in Australia as it is the biggest historical arcades that still exists today that I found while touring in Australia.
When we reached Canberra, our tour guide drove us first to see the National Embassies located not far and also surrounds Parliament House. We drove between Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne Avenue to see different and fascinating buildings that unique on their own as cultural identity of the country they belong to.
Then, we drove up to Capital Hill where the current Parliament House stands which symbolizes Australian politics. For me the building is like White House because White House represents American Government while Parliament House represents Australian Government. Living in Australia comes with familiarity with the country. Every time I watched the news in the morning before I go to office, I used to see Parliament House in the TV where most of the time they feature and interview Prime Minister of the country regarding the current affairs of the nation and its politics.
From the moment that I saw Parliament House, I was excited. I never imagined before that there will be a chance that I will see it up close and personal. I had never even imagined that I will be able to do a building tour and see what’s inside of this so-called ‘National Meeting Place of Parliament of Australia’.
The building is immediately recognizable even from a distance with the help of its location which is at the top of the Capital Hill. It’s architectural design is based on two boomerangs, so if you look down to the building from the sky, it is two boomerangs where its rear are near each other or connected to each other.
Below is my Parliament House building tour story.
FORECOURT
We got off from the underground parking of the building. And from there we went up to reached the Forecourt. The rain fell at the time we visited Canberra, the clouds view outside the building was gloomy and the ground outside has been wet due to rain.
Raindrops in my bus window approaching Parliament House
The scenery was different because of heavy and dark sky, but even that was the case, I had been happy to be in that part of the world at that moment. While waiting for others in our group, I had a chance to witness from a far the Old Parliament House (Provisional Parliament House which used in 1927-1988). When the group has been re-assembled, we entered the building.
Forecourt
Scenery From the Forecourt
Old Parliament House (Provisional Parliament House)
MARBLE FOYER
The first thing that I saw when I entered the building are the semi-marble clad columns stands all over the ground on its lobby. Second thing to notice are the two grand marble staircases in both sides. My overall impression in the foyer, it showcases how grand the Australian Parliament House is.
Marble Foyer
THE GREAT HALL
The Great Hall is part of the building that I saw from the 1st Floor since I immediately went up when I saw the grand marble staircase at the foyer. As a discovery in The Great Hall aside from being used for large national gatherings, receptions or events, is the art displayed in one of its space. The ‘Great Hall Tapestry’ which created by collaboration of finest artist when the building is being built.
The Great Hall Tapestry
(One of the Five Treasures in Parliament House)
The Great Hall
I strolled around the building and below are some of the displays to be found inside the building at the time of our visit. This means that these displays might not be available anymore aside from the arts that are permanent display in the building.
Some of the exhibits found during my visit in Parliament House
Opening of Parliament House by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988(1994),
by Marcus Beilby (1951)
The picture on the right side is call “The Big Picture” By Tom Roberts
(One of the Five Treasures in Parliament House)
Some photos of 1st Floor
The Parliament Idealism
MEMBERS’ HALL
While walking around inside the Parliament House and after enjoying some of the displays found in the first floor, next part of the building to be discovered is what they call Member’s Hall. It is a square-shaped located at the center of the building and directly under the huge flag mast.
Members’ Hall
Surroundings of Members’ Hall
Another part of the building that excites me was at the time that I got a chance to see up close the chambers of the House of Representatives and Senate. Before, I only saw these chambers in TV but during my Canberra’s tour I got a chance to be inside of it. One significant thing that I observed inside of both chambers are the direct sunlight coming through its glass ceiling at its center. The color scheme on each chamber has been based on colors of British Parliament’s House of Commons for House of Representatives Chamber while British Parliament’s House of Lords for the Senate Chamber.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER
House of Representatives Chamber
SENATE CHAMBER
Senate Chamber
THE ROOF
After enjoying what’s inside the Parliament House, another part of the building that excites me during the tour was at the time we went outside and walked at the grass roof of the building. First thing to enjoy were the scenic views to see around Canberra. Because Parliament House stands at the top of Capital Hill, everyone can enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful surroundings where the building is almost at the center of the city. Another thing to enjoy is the up close view of the world’s largest stainless steel structure and its 81-metre high flag mast with its own unique features. And last but not the least to enjoy was anyone can just lie around and have a rest in the grass, enjoy the sky, the fresh air and feel like you are in a park, the only difference, you are at the rooftop of Parliament House.
Scenic Views to enjoy while at the Parliament House Rooftop
Parliament House Rooftop and its World’s Record Flag Mast
COURTYARD
I only got a chance to see the Courtyard which is the garden within the Parliament House through glass windows while I was roaming around the first floor of the building, these pictures also shows the recent rain that occurred in the city.
Courtyard snapshots from inside the building
Reflections, Inspirations and Perceptions (Post#2) : A Formal Apology to Forgotten Australians and Lost Innocents
If you live in Australia for sometimes and able to travel around the country, most likely you heard about the ‘Forgotten Australians and Lost Innocents’. At first when I heard about it, I was curious. I wanted to understand what those words really means. And then I learned from different tours that I had in the country that ‘Forgotten Australians and Lost Innocents’ are referring to aboriginal children that were forced to be away from their parents to experiment the development of these ethnic children to adapt to modern society instead of growing from their natural birth family and its tribes. It is also referred to children that migrated to Australia and grew up to national institutions instead of growing with a foster parents. Last 2009, the Prime Minister of Australia had a formal apology to the nation about the mistreatment given to these children. And that apology transcript has been displayed in Parliament House and I had a chance to see it during the visit.
When I found this piece of document, I stopped for a while to read the whole script. While reading it, it’s a profound discovery because, its one of the apology that I learned coming from a government. The acceptance of mistakes that was done from the past and the willingness to correct it to move forward and to be responsible of what the nation has done is something unusual. Apology between people are already common as innate feature of humanity, but nations apology is something different, it’s a huge responsibility. Yes, we cannot go back from the past, but accepting it and making a difference is something the government or the nation can do right now. Please refer to the link Forgotten Australians Apology for the whole transcript of the apology since my photo is not as clear as it should be. This photo is part of Canberra Day Tour June 2013 Collection.
Something To Look At (Post#5) : Parliament
Most of the time, during a tour inside a building or museum, if quote or a saying caught my eyes, I made sure that I able to capture it. Going back to the photo, I pondered the idea and it’s amazing the truthfulness behind its words. The two photos below were some of the snapshots that caught by my eyes and the idea behind Parliament. These photos are part of Canberra Day Tour June 2013 Collection.
Interior (Post#10) : Canberra’s Parliament House – Marble Foyer
The Parliament House Marble Foyer is one of the lobby that I saw how grand it is in a different way. The ceiling lights, pendant lights, hanging clocks in the middle are all in white colors. The walls with balustrades, the columns partially covered with marbles, the flooring designs with different shapes had complimented to each other. The grand staircase in both sides, by just looking at it and thinking if I started walking on it I felt I am a debutante, it’s so simple but so elegant. Its design seems to be basic but its refreshing, comforting and relaxing. These photos are part of Canberra Day Tour June 2013 Collection.
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