Vivid Sydney 2012

Hooray! This is my 1,000th post in this blog!  I just have to acknowledge that because I never thought I'd keep up with this blog for a long time.  Just a quick thank you to readers and people who pass by AWCL. I sometimes wonder why I still do this but knowing that there are people who read and learn from things I share is something that inspires me to continue and soldier on.  So thank you.  Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day browsing thru my articles, appreciating my photographs and joining me in my travel and food adventures.


Since this is my 1,000th post, I would like to share one of my favourite events, the Vivid Sydney. 


Vivid Sydney is Sydney's 3-week celebration of light, music and ideas.  It is a way to promote art and encourage people to come out and enjoy the sights and sounds of Sydney during winter time.  Every year, more and more people come to see Vivid Sydney.  Even tourists visit the city just to see this.

Vivid Sydney has become a tradition for us.  Since 2009, we've been coming to see this event so we can enjoy the city at night and revel in art.  This year, we went twice.  We had a bit of disappointment with the Lighting of the Sails (Sydney Opera House) because we found it a bit "un-vivid" and boring.  However, the light projections on Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), Customs House and Argyle Street Tunnel were stunning.  There were over 50 interactive and immersive light art sculptures all around Circular Quay and The Rocks area which we enjoyed too.

The light projections on Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).

The light projections on Customs House.

Light installations in Circular Quay and The Rocks.

This light installation lights up in some areas when you place your hands on a platform.

This reminds me of an onion.

This one's a friend from the sea.

A giant Tic Tac Toe.

Hop Skotch, anyone?

The Colour Cubed which the kids loved because they can rotate it by hand.

I'm fascinated with lights.  I remember when I travelled to Dubai and arrived at one o'clock in the morning, I looked out the window and saw sooooo many lights from above (Me: OMG! Ang daming ilaw!!! I want to live here!). I thought it was such a great welcome. That's why I love Vivid Sydney--it's about lights! I'm grateful that the Husband took photos of how much I enjoyed this show.

The Enough Ropelight (by Brian Thomson) installation above me.

This was my favourite.  I liked it so much, I wanted one at home haha.  Sooooo pretty. I forgot the name though.  

Gelato on a winter's night, anyone?  Australia is ice cream country. Other than our passion for coffee and good food, we love our ice cream so much, the city is surrounded by ice cream shops. People wait patiently just to grab a cone or two of ice cream even on a cold night.

I had to get on this platform (which I think was for kids) so I could get the attention of the staff. That's what you call determination.

The last leg of our Vivid Sydney adventure was at Argyle Street.  This one's called Light Breezers, a playful light show of colour and fabric.

It changed colours every few minutes.

The prettiest light installation was at the tunnel in Argyle Street.  This one's called Argyle in Bloom. I call this my Spring in Winter.

Related Posts:
Vivid Sydney 2009 - Sydney Opera House in a Spectacle of Colours
Vivid Sydney 2010 - Lighting of the Sails of the Opera House, Macquarie Visions
Vivid Sydney 2011 - Lights Up, Sydney!

Wanderlust Wednesdays: Life in Sydney

I have always shared life in Sydney thru my photographs, thru this blog and my column in Ang Kalatas. Although I haven't made an exclusive account of what I think of living here, I do love living here. Maybe one day I will write about it some more, when I have the discipline to sit down and write; and when I have no more hesitations in doing so.  In the meantime, I hope you get to appreciate my photos, blogging and tweets about Sydney, my beloved city.


I found this video online yesterday and I just had to share it.  It shows a few things that Sydneysiders do: start the day at the beach, have coffee (we're passionate about our coffee), enjoying nature even if we're in the city, find beauty in unexpected spaces, the Vivid Sydney during winter time.  It shows the simple ways we live life here and how laidback we are.  

P.S.  I've been told by some friends overseas that they cannot access this video.  I'm not sure why but I'm sorry if you're having trouble accessing it.  

This City and You from Johnny Abegg Films on Vimeo.

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An Almost Midnight Trip to the Beach

An unexpected trip to the beach with friends on a Friday night led us to capturing this photo of us, freezing in the cold.  It was dark and windy when we got there but our loud laughter brought sunshine to the place.

Its moments like these when no matter how cold it gets, you emanate warmth from the inside because you are holding hands and hugging tight with the one who truly makes you happy. <3

Discovered Inspirations: Gandhi's Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World

Change always starts from within.  I hope Gandhi's Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World inspires all of us to be the change we want to be.

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More Pretty Things at Habitania

Shared about a lifestyle store called Habitania two weeks ago and today I have a few more photos as I took the Husband there so he can enjoy the place too.

Painted Mugs 

Chopsticks Holder (so funky!)

Tea Set (looks soooo dainty! I want it)

Lots of colourful knick knacks!

I found Pochi purses here!  I chanced upon these cute purses at MCA but priced at AUD$25.00 so I didn't buy it.  But at Habitania, they only cost @$12.95 so I bought a small fuchsia purse. 

Habitania 

636-638 George Street

Sydney NSW 2000

0430 515 761

La Banette Patisserie (Glebe, NSW)

One Friday afternoon of Autumn, a walk along the streets of Glebe Point Road led us to a rustic looking patisserie called "La Banette Patisserie".

The view of two abandoned coffee cups seemed inviting.  We decided to have coffee and pastries for a bit.

Ahhhhh life in Sydney.  I'm currently curating photos and planning to compile my Life in Sydney series into a collection.  

La Banette is a bakery cafe.  We immediately saw the counters full of bread and pastries as we entered the premises.

On the far end of the shop, we can see someone kneading dough.  It was a lovely sight as it shows how freshly-baked their breads are. 

The dining area is tiny.  We're grateful we arrived at a good time as there were a few seats available for us.  

They've got cute looking tables and chairs too.  The table is only as wide as the chairs we were sitting on.  

The Husband and I each had a cup of coffee; latte for him and long black for me.  We got the Chocolate Danish and Apple Tart.  The Chocolate Danish was crispy on the outside but pillowy soft on the inside. 

The Apple Tart became an instant favourite with its perfect crust and apples fresh and sweet.

We enjoyed the time we were at La Banette.  The place may be small but I found it cozy and non-intrusive.  It was our beautiful find that one fateful day in Autumn.

La Banette Patisserie
18 Glebe Point Road
Glebe, NSW 2037
Phone 8095 9688

Beauty Stash: Something From Bath & Body Works

If you are a Filipino, you would know that family and friends would usually ask, "Ano ang gusto mong pasalubong?" whenever they are coming to visit or travelling from somewhere.  And whenever I am asked that question, I always think, "Hmmm, Ano bang meron doon na wala dito?" 


So when my aunt asked me what I want from America, my answer was, "Something from Bath & Body Works, please?"  And then I emailed her a list of my preferred items from the store.  And yes, you read it right, we don't have Bath & Body Works here in Australia.


Thanks to my aunt, I now have a few bottles of Bath & Body Works to last me awhile.


The Cherry Blossom Body Mist and Cherry Blossom Body Lotion from the Signature Collection.  The body mist a is refreshingly light floral scent of Cherry Blossoms and makes me think (and smell like) Spring. The body lotion moisturises the skin with the help of  Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E. 

I love sweet scent of Vanilla so I also asked for the Black Raspberry Vanilla Shower Gel and Black Raspberry Vanilla Body Lotion.  The shower gel has aloe vera and Vitamin E that leaves the skin smooth and pampered after every bath.  Like the Cherry Blossom Body Lotion, the Black Raspberry Vanilla Body Lotion has Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Vitamin Oil.  Other than keeping my skin hydrated, these two gives my skin a sweet fruity scent all day.

Having Bath & Body Works hand gels are always a treat. I sometimes forget to use hand sanitisers now that I live here in Australia, but having these around is helpful all the time.