Over the last year, work has been taking me to Sydney quite often and it continues to be a unique experience working with the Aussies.
As a travel enthusiast, I attempt to stay the weekends and travel around a bit. Sharing some bits that have caught my interest.
History and demographics -
It's well known that the Aussie outback acted as a prison to accommodate the rising number of UK prisoners . It has indeed come far from the convict-land identity and evolved to be a beautiful efficient country. Some interesting facts to note :
As a travel enthusiast, I attempt to stay the weekends and travel around a bit. Sharing some bits that have caught my interest.
History and demographics -
It's well known that the Aussie outback acted as a prison to accommodate the rising number of UK prisoners . It has indeed come far from the convict-land identity and evolved to be a beautiful efficient country. Some interesting facts to note :
- 80% of the island is uninhabitable; the population of the country is 22 million(huh!) and 20% of the nation lives in and around Sydney. The nation is RICH in resources.
- Interestingly, Terra Australis was not first discovered by the British. The Dutch had made their way to the west coast in early 1700's but found the land uninhabitable and left. Little did they know, had they dug deeper, they would have found a wealth of gold reserves on the western region. History may have taken a different turn.
- The aboriginals like most pagans have very similar elements of nature worship. Can also find the "swastika" amongst the various symbols that are part of the culture. The population has far diminished now and I believe that the northern territories have a more concentrated habitation. Of course, they are they invented the boomerang! Interestingly, the boomerang is always thrown in the direction of the sun during a hunt, as a decoy to slow down the game, and not as a weapon directly.
- The other iconic cultural item - "didgerdidoo" was actually named by the Brits simply based on the sound that the instrument made. The instrument is a creation of nature. Termites eat into branches making them hollow, and the aboriginals tap branches on a tree to find such stretches and then chop them off. Of course they are cleaned, painted and used as a musical instrument.
- The national symbol has the kangaroo and the emu - not only because they are native to the country, but also because neither animal can move backward. An indication of a nation that will only surge ahead.
- Flora & Fauna - The forests of Australia have some fauna from the jurassic age dating back millions of years. Some of it continues to be protected to avoid exploitation.
- Tasmanian Devil - Of the unique animals found in the region, the Tasmanian devil is also known to suffer with a type of facial cancer leading to dwindling numbers. Scientists havent figured out a cure yet and continue to research.
Nicknames
The Harbour bridge is also called "Coat Hanger" - simply because when it was built during the Great Depession era, it was meant to drive some positive economic activity but in reality the depression continued.
The Anzac bridge across the Darling Harbour is called "Madonna's Bra" (http://www.sydneyrocks.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/anzac_bridge_5.jpg)
Finally , the party culture - the Aussies love their watering holes and there are some really nice bars around the George Street area. But nothing beats the view at the Opera House bar. One just cant get enough of the place.
To close this piece, I must comment on the local way of greeting - "How ya going" !
I really dont know how this term came to be used. Maybe it was a combination of "How are you " and "Where are you going" or "How are you goin wherever you're goin" - I dont know. Of course I'm kidding. I sure have heard Russel Peters pick on this.
Cheers!
