So to Canberra for a week to see the sites. After spending so much time in country towns it felt like a big city. A big city with a million round abouts.
The view from Mt Ainslie Lookout.
Of course a day at the War Memorial was required. Lest we Forget.
The next very chilly morning we were up early for a balloon flight over Canberra. Not much wind but we floated over Royal Canberra Golf Club & Yarralumla. As always we finished with the traditional glass of champagne.
The same afternoon we went for a quiet electric sail on Lake Burley Griffin. The weather was perfect (the cheese & champagne where OK as well).
A day of wandering around the Parliament Houses, luckily all the criminals we call politicians were out lying to their constituants.
First up was Old Parliament House which was built in 1927 & was only supposedly to last for 50 years. A classic old building, if only the walls could talk.
Then up the hill to the New Parliament House. We did the architectual tour & it was most interesting. A great & in its own way beautiful building.
Even Bertha got her photo taken!
Lunch with my beautiful cousin Christine at the National Portrait Gallery & then a look around. Ulrika found her favourite portrait.
Across the road to the Art Gallery for a dose of culture.
I particularly liked this exhibit.
Another busy day with a visit to the Canberra Glassworks to watch the alchemy which is glass making. We could watch this forever.
A quick trip to the mint to see lots of coins not being made.
Then lunch at the Arboretum. The highlight was the Bonsai display. Some of these trees are over 50 years old!
Thanks for dinner Peter & Kerrie, it was good to catch up.
A quick trip to Canberra Ginnery to stock up.
Schrivener Dam controls the water level in Lake Burley Griffin. It was only completed in 1964, 50 years after the idea of Canberra was first developed.
The last few days in Canberra we stayed at the Canberra Zoo & specifcally at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge. Our room was in Ravi’s enclosure. Ravi is a 10 year old male Sumatran tiger & the layout of the room allows us to get up close & personal with him.
Isn’t he a beautiful boy.
In the lodge itself there are lots of wonderful African art.
The food & service was as good as it gets.
When we first arrived we were greeted by the Colobus monkeys, then at dinner the hyenas & white lions.
There are lots of other animals.
Ulrika had the opportunity to get up close & personal with Solo the 5 year old male Cheetah. They were both excited over the encounter.
And so ends our visit to Canberra, off to Normanville housesitting for a couple of months.