Dutch Decorations for QUEENSDAY April 30th!


A beautiful sunrise this week over Sydney

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Auckland Warriors

Being Dutch I am not all that familiar with rugby, although having shared houses with Australians, Irish, worked with English & South Africans, I have gained some familiarity with this rough sport. I can even admit I like it. Not sure why, maybe because I think the sport could be an example of how to progress walking even when you have people holding both your legs and try to neck wrestle you to the pitch. Compared to our fragile soccerplayers who fall over in the penalty area when you look at them... this is.... more uhm...manly I think! My Dutch flatmate was interested too and suggested a Sunday match between South Sydney Rabbitohs & NZ Auckland Warriors at the Telstra Stadium.

Telstra Stadium

A great opportunity to be inside one of the Olympic Stadiums and it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day too. Three more friends joined and in the end the Dutch were strongly represented, and UK Dave seemed to be the most verbal Sydney supporter out there. Russel Crowe was also shown on mega screen supporting his Rabbitohs team to a win,.... well untill the last 3 minutes. Us Sydneysiders lost 16-18 in the final minutes with 2 tries against us.

Whose ball is it anyway?

After the game we had a walk around the Olympic Park, and then hopped on the train back to the city.

Royal Easter Show & Blue Mountains

Royal Easter Show @ Sydney Olympic Grounds.

On Easter Sunday after an Easter breakfast Amanda and I went to the Royal Easter Fare - it couldnt me more non religious Easter atmosphere, we were surrounded by horses, ponies, cows, goats, sheep, dogs, and various activities like dog obedience, horse high jump, dressage, a rodeo and various crafts exhibiotioned. There were contests and awards, and you could view the animals up close. Like going to a really big farm. I reall enjoyed the rodeo, the first time I saw something like that. It was quite busy, but we had a real good time.

The cow contest

Kermit passed out

Me in front of Olympic Stadium @Homebush


Jump! Over the Habour Bridge, an attribute used during the Sydney Olympics

Doesnt the Olympic Park look beautiful!!?? The swing reminds me of Dave Matthews Band CD Under the Table & Dreaming...

DMB CD Cover

Merry go round at Easter show

BLUE MOUNTAINS

On Monday we drove up to the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. The weather stayed dry, we walked around, enjoyed the views of forest, valleys and blue-ish mountains. A nice getaway from the city and unfortunately we weren't the only ones having a break as it took us 3 hours to get back due to one long traffic jam.

Tourists loooking to the Three Sisters formation

Checking out the neighbourhood

Me near the 3 Sisters.

Viewing blue mountains

One Love

Had a little session of One Love this evening. Mr Ziggy Marley was performing at the Great Escape Festival where I went with a Dutch friend Lindsey, ...... and wow... was I happy I got to see him. The music & lyrics were beautiful and inspiring. To see Ziggy jamming his own tunes and 2 of his dads (Jamming & Is This Love) was simply amazing.

Love is My Religion

*Love is My Religion*


Top that up with Missy Higgins performance and you have a stellar night. She had a perfect mix between her new album and the previous one and it all sounded more than good! She enjoyed being back on stage with new material, and letting the crowd singing along to the more familiar songs.