SYDNEY!

We were fairly catatonic yesterday despite having slept a bit on the plane.  Those circadian rhythms again.  We did walk down to the Harbor though and discovered to our delight that we are on the third day of a two-week celebration of the Chinese New Year in Sydney.  The Harbor is crawling with Chinese tourists with their floppy hats, umbrellas for sun protection and ubiquitous cameras having way too much fun.  They laugh, pose outrageously for pictures, swing the children in the air and just seem to be having the time of their lives.  I love to watch them.  

The Sydney Harbor is celebrating the New Year with huge works of art depicting the signs of the Chinese Zodiak.  At first they reminded me of those awful blow-ups that people put in their yards at Christmas, Easter and Halloween (no offense to those who have them), but they grew on me over the day and I found myself wanting to touch them and examine them from all sides.   They are so happy and whimsical.  

Here is me in front of the plastic sculpture of the Year of the Horse.  They are supposed to be giant lanterns I think.

Me dwarfed by the Year of the Monkey--hear no evil, see no evil...  Speak no evil is there but didn't fit into the picture.

Tom, miniscule before the Year of the  Ram.

A truly spectacular plastic Year of the Tiger ready to pounce on unsuspecting travelers below...

And finally, Hizzoner with the Harbor Bridge beyond.