Hello dear friends, hope you are all well.
The first and the last time I visited Sydney's Chinese Garden was about
thirty years ago when I had just arrived in Australia and slowly and steadily
began exploring our new home. Over the years the Garden underwent a
massive transformation and as I was told by a friend of mine who recently took
her overseas visitors there, looks very pretty and is definitely worth
visiting.
Isn't it fascinating how people go to great lengths, spend
thousands of dollars and an enormous amount of their time to travel across the
globe to see a special place they read or heard about while something truly
beautiful is a short car drive away? So, one Sunday morning we found
ourselves walking along the winding path running between the trees and flower
bushes and admiring the big fat Koi fish lazily swimming in custom built ponds
of the garden.
It sits on a heritage-listed site in Sydney
CBD and is part of large recreational and pedestrian precinct called Darling
Harbour and officially called the Chinese Garden of Friendship.
We went there during the Sydney Lunar Festival - the biggest Lunar New
Year celebration outside Asia, which offers an amazing array of events from
night food markets to art exhibitions and installations to concerts and
workshops. There is truly something for everyone to participate in and enjoy
and its always attracts a huge attendance from locals and visitors
alike.
One installation that caught our eyes was the so called lucky MoonGates, designed by a local artist in partnership with the Chinese Garden ofFriendship. As I stepped through the Moon Gates, I was fascinated by the
rainbow of bright colours and motifs depicting the Rat zodiac including lilies
which are considered the luckiest flowers for the Year of the Rat.
Despite the very dry summer season, high temperatures and recent
bushfires that were raging across Australia for the past 3 months, the exotic
trees looked brightly green and luscious, the wide variety of blooming flower
bushes were saturated with bright colours of the rainbow. The ponds,
filled with big fat white and red Koi fish were clean and looked
tranquil. According to the guidebook, the design of the garden follows
the principles of 'Yin-Yang' – the balance
of opposing yet complementary forces – the harmonious five elements of
wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
Even though there were other people here and there obviously enjoying
the beauty of this inner-city oasis, we experienced a feeling of calm, serenity
and we felt at a piece with the world.
How do you like to spend yours? Is walking in the park your cup of tea or you are an adrenaline junkie?Anna
xoxo
This is exactly why we need to explore our own backyard Anna!! There are so many treasures to be found.
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Jodie
So true, Jodie
DeleteWhat beautiful greenery. I love Chinese/Japanese inspired gardens. Have a great week Anna xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurie and you too
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the fires are out in Australia. I wanted one of those baby Koalas, so adorable! lol. Anyhow, what a beautiful garden Anna! I always think it is wonderful to explore the town or city we live in, as there are treasures such as this. Love your earrings and jean skirt!
ReplyDeletethanks for linking!
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you Jess, those koalas are so cute and cuddly.
DeleteWe've visited that garden a few times when we have been in Sydney, it's so beautiful and right there in the city! I like the moon gates as well, it's been years since we were last there and there wasn't anything special for the lunar new year there when we had been.
ReplyDeleteHope that your week is going well :)
Away From Blue
Not sure when you visited Mica, but it was a lot of things happening around Chinatown
DeleteWhat a beautiful and relaxing spot. Isn't it funny how we ignore what is in our "own back yard?" You look so cute and the MoonGate is pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteWhat a beautiful place to visit! I totally agree with you about exploring our places around. There is always something new to see. And you look adorable and restful, Anna. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteTatiana
Thank you Tatiana and the same to you
ReplyDeleteI love the casual cool look! The skirt is so chic. I adore the place where you took these photos!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.kathrineeldridge.com