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Museum shows off souvenirs of travel
Trash or Treasure? |
A NEW exhibition coming to the Australian National Maritime Museum presents an extraordinary range of more than 200 travel souvenirs, spanning 1000 years, and begs this question of all of them: trash or treasure?
Variously they are hand-made, quaint, cheap, compact, expensive, stylish, mass-produced, kitsch, unique or beautiful… what they have in common is their ability to carry memories of a distinctive place somewhere else in the world.
The earliest souvenir in the exhibition, dating from the 10–11th century, is a miniature of the temple at Bodhgaya, India, where it's said Buddha attained enlightenment. The model, finely carved in stone with scenes from the life of Buddha, may have ended up on a pilgrim's home altar.
Several Christian pilgrim souvenirs from the 14–16th centuries including badges, dress pins and an ampulla (tiny vessel to carry holy water) are also included, along with contemporary equivalents produced for national and international pilgrims coming to Sydney this year for World Youth Day and Pope Benedict XVI's visit.
In other areas of the exhibition there’s a collection of items that a well-to-do Australian family brought home from Europe in the 19th century — including an intricate model of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and a boxed set of Italian teaspoons; a cross-section of sea travel souvenirs including the familiar cruise company branded keyrings, ashtrays and sailor dolls; and an assortment of items representing Indigenous Australia and the Pacific Islands.
Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, July 5-February 1. Open 9.30am-5pm daily. Admission to its exhibitions, including Trash or Treasure, is free.
Rocks Aroma Festival
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Coffee time at The Rocks
IF YOU'RE a lover of coffee, or just the occasional sipper, mark July 6 on your calendar.
This is when the Rocks Aroma Festival takes place when you can sample some of Sydney's best coffee for a $1 a cup, indulge in mouth-watering chocolate and sweet treats, pick up tips on cooking with some of the world’s most exotic spices and discover dozens of teas you’ve never tried before ranging from Pina Colada and Moroccan Mint to Rose Oolong and Sweet Almond.
More than 25 roasters including Toby's Estate will be brewing up a storm at the festival. Pick up a freshly brewed cup and enjoy comparing the different roasts as you wander through Sydney's heritage quarter.
Then skip to sweet treats at the Chocolatiers Boulevard where you can indulge in chocolates from local producers such as Adora Handmade Chocolates and tempt yourself with delicious goodies including liquid chocolate shots, chocolate-dipped strawberries and marshmallows and chocolate fountains.
Head to the All Things Nice stalls which will abound with fabulous fudge, rocky road, nougat, gingerbread, coconut ice, pavlova, biscotti and all things honey. Treat yourself to an exquisite cupcake that looks too good to eat.
Tea-lovers will delight in the exotic brews from Emporio, Bondi Chai, Valley Green and Kenteco including lively green teas, delectable infusions of fruit, flowers and spices and full-flavored traditional favorites.
There will be cooking demonstrations, coffee machines on display... and yes, all-day live music.
Sydney in pictures
Sydney walking tours
Where to stay in Sydney
Sydney attractions
Visit Captain Cook's landing place
A LEISURELY drive from the Sydney city centre brings you to Captain Cook's landing place in 1770 in Botany Bay National Park, a significant part of Australia's early history. It would be another 18 years before the first European settlement was founded at Sydney Cove.
Not only is Botany Bay National Park a historical site, it is also a place for waterside leisure and, during the whale migration season, a vantage point for whale watching.
It's a quieter place to visit and certainly less crowded than, say, the Royal National Park with its altogether different ambience.
Luna Park is open daily
LUNA Park has kept drawing in the crowds, particularly during the school holidays. It has had a chequered history of being open, closed, opened again. It may be open now for good now ...
Luna Park has reinvented itself not only as a Coney Island fun fair with the usual carnival rides, clowns and cotton candy, but it is presenting itself as a glittering venue for circus performances, concerts and stage shows.
Luna Park is open daily. Take the ferry from Circular Quay to Milsons Point, or take the train to Milsons Point station. The main entrance to Luna Park faces is right on the wharf and, if taking the train, it's a short walk from the station to the amusement park. Keep track of Luna Park events at its website.
Art
Aboriginal Art
Where to find and view Australian Aboriginal art in Sydney.
Sydney's Museums
Where they are. Wide variety of museums throughout the city.
Beaches
Sydney Beaches
When it's time for soaking up the sun on white-sand beaches.
Bondi Beach
One of Sydney's best-known beaches.
Coogee Beach
Probably more intimate than Bondi Beach but beginning to rival it in popularity.
Manly Beach
Just across Sydney Harbour from Circular Quay -- take the ferry and avoid driving hassles.
Churches
St Mary's Cathedral
Mother church of Australian Catholicism. Sydney landmark.
Ferries
Harbour Ferries
Ferry tales can come true, and they usually do in this city.
Food
Sydney Cuisine
Sydney is in a world of its own with its cosmopolitan cuisine.
Parks and gardens
Bents Basin
Discover Sydney's outer suburbs on your way to Bents Basin.
Botanic Gardens
An oasis of green in the heart of Sydney. A paradise of flora.
Chipping Norton Lakes
In southwestern Sydney. Birdwatching, picnics, boating, the lot.
Picnic Point
Along the Georges River. Part of a larger national park.
Sightseeing
Darling Harbour
What makes Darling Harbour a Sydney star attraction.
Kings Cross
Take time to savor the atmosphere at Sydney's Kings Cross.
Northward
North to the Central Coast, Nelson Bay and the Hunter Valley.
The Rocks
The Rocks at Sydney Cove. Here the first white settlement was built.
Sightseeing Selection
Discover the heart of Sydney -- in only a day, or maybe two.
Southward
South from Sydney through scenic coastal towns and beaches.
Westward
Westward ho! -- to the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves.
Skiing
Skiing Down Under
In the northern summer, come Down Under for winter fun.
Theatre
Sydney Theatre Guide
Up-to-date information on what's on in Sydney theatre with season details and booking information
Sydney Theatre Venues
Take a trek through theatre town.
Wildlife
Sydney Wildlife
Where to find the roos, wallabies, crocs, koalas, wombats.
thesydneyscene is published weekly except in the last two weeks in December and the first two weeks in January.
Copyright 2008 Larry Rivera
