For the past few weeks the shops have been full of paper cups, wacky glasses, caps, towels, bikinis, napkins... you name it; all baring the Australian flag. You could even buy an inflatable kangaroo, or perhaps a blue, red and white cap complete with solar powered fan.
It was all in the name of Australia day, held on 26th January each year. The official national day of Australia; it is the largest civic holiday in Australia.
It was all in the name of Australia day, held on 26th January each year. The official national day of Australia; it is the largest civic holiday in Australia.
With T working for a Canadian company, we didn't get the day off to celebrate; but it turned out the weather was decidedly more English than Australian. The grey clouds grew darker as the day progressed and with that the rain became more persistent.
We did venture out on an early lunch break and walked down the shore to watch the Sydney ferries race on the harbour. The 83-tonne, 25 metre long vessels were decorated with flags for the event, not that we could really tell thanks to the weather...
There was a slightly dodgy moment when one of the Manly ferries seemed to be running as normal, on its route, in the completely opposite direction to the flow of the race, and down the middle of the competing ferries. I am sure it was all planned...maybe...
The first to cross the winning line of the harbour bridge was the ferry, Friendship.
There was a slightly dodgy moment when one of the Manly ferries seemed to be running as normal, on its route, in the completely opposite direction to the flow of the race, and down the middle of the competing ferries. I am sure it was all planned...maybe...
The first to cross the winning line of the harbour bridge was the ferry, Friendship.
The 26th January marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, NSW in 1788 and the raising of their flag. There are many Australians who think the date of Australia day should be moved, as this isn't exactly the best date to celebrate: the Brits invading and taking over their land. I tend to agree with them.
This year 16,000 people became Australian citizens and 824 people received awards, including scientists, charity founders, actors and heroes from the community.
T wanted to buy the cap with the solar-powered fan, which was apparently, "The coolest thing ever!" As I pulled him away from said cap, another couple walked up to it, and the other girl had exactly the same conversation with her boyfriend as I did with T, and that guy was also firmly pulled away from cap...
However we did get into the spirit and purchase something with the flag on it:
However we did get into the spirit and purchase something with the flag on it: