A return to the Magic Flute, Swimming at the Domain, AmericanHustle, The Craft store, The Library of NSW and the Parliment House of NSW

We made a return trip to see the Magic Flute . We had emailed the Opera House to tell them about not being able to see the second half of the performance due to my going to the hospital. They offered us tickets to return and gave us the best seats in the house. Row P, Center!  So glad we were able to see it again and enjoy it!

This is a beautiful 19th century Victorian indoor shopping mall called "The Strand" on George St., Sydney, AU 

These three gents are making delicious Tai dumplings at the Westfield 5th floor food emporium

The 5th Floor Westfield food emporium.

So true! A sign in the bookstore.

This is a salt water pool along Sydney Harbor in the Domain Park.  It is called the Andrew (Boy) Charleton Pool named after an AU swimming Olympian.  Lanes only! And they are SERIOUS swimmers. 

We went to see American Hustle after swimming. It is up for an Academy Award for BEST PICTURE.  We did like it. So many twists and turns, it was hard to keep up!

This shrine is in Victoria Square on George Street. It was donated by Ireland and was part of Blarney Castle. 

A fun craft store in the CBD. I bought some yarn and  rubber stamp.

This statue is outside the Library of NSW.  Flinders was an Australian explorer.  

This is a statue of Flinders constant companion (his pet cat) on his explorations. He met an untimely death when he was eaten in Sumatra.

This is the Tasman Map of 1644 on the floor in the State Library of NSW. Abel Janszoon Tasman made two voyages to Australia.  He was a captain employed by the Dutch East India Company.  He was sent to find new lands for trade and to find a passage to the Pacific Ocean.  The floor map  is made of marble slabs that are cemented to the floor.  It is edged with terazzo tiles and is so colorful and interesting.  We took a guided tour of the library and saw so many interesting artifacts, beautiful art works, and a building that is a true treasure.

Stacks of books in the reading room.

The State Library has many beautiful stained glass windows.

This is a special exhibit of visual poetry.  We found if most interesting especially the following:

The reading room in the State Library

This is the atrium in the Parliment House of NSW in the "new" section.

Lower House of Parliment in the "old" section which used to be part of the first hospital in Sydney.

Upper House of the Parliment.  When members vote, they move to either the right or left side of the room to indicate their vote.

Note: Voting for general elections is mandatory for all registered voters in AU.  If they do not vote, they are fined about 150.00.  They are required to vote in EVERY election.  They get about a 99% voter turnout.

The very modest outside of the Parliment House of NSW. We had a good tour of the building.

It is considered good luck to rub the nose of this pig who stands just outside the first Sydney Hospital which is still an operating hospital on Macquerie Street in the CBD.