Sydney Aquarium

So. I asked around 'cause I knew it was pricey to go to the Sydney Aquarium. $34.95AUD expensive. Everyone said go, so I went! Too bad, because the Baltimore Aquarium blows this one away. In fact, the California Academy of Sciences Aquariums blew this one away. It wasn't the worst - the National Aquarium (aka baby fish tanks in a basement) in DC wins the worst award. But this definitely was disappointing for me, and especially considering their tariff.

Oh well, on the the day. It started off POURING rain this AM and I was not relishing the idea of trudging in my slightly-too-long-pants-which-LOVE-to-soak-up-dirty-rain-water to the train station. But as I went down stairs, my building manager was in the house and about to leave - and he offered me a ride to the train station! Yippee! I managed to stay nice and dry and actually got dropped off at the more convenient train station.

Then, the clouds parted and the sun shone - and stayed! It was beautiful this afternoon and so I decided to make use of it and explore Sydney. I looked at my list of things to do (TTD) and decided that I would check off the Sydney Aquarium and a place multiple websites list as having "the best dumplings!"



In order for me to feel like I got something out of the #35 entry free, I decided to take lots of pictures. I mean LOTS. Now granted, I had my point and shoot which is good, but not so great with 1) no flash use and 2) quickly moving fish. I was lucky to get a few decent shots.




Someone's bored!






Peek-a-boo!



I see you!



And seriously, I was not joking about the quality of the aquarium. Check out exhibit A, Sydney Aquarium jellyfish:



Exhibits B and C, California Academy of Sciences jellyfish:




I rest my case. There is nooooo comparison.


Now, as for the second part of my night adventure, the dumplings. I took the monorail and got off at Paddy's Market. I was a little worried about safety, but tuens out the stop is right next to the University of Technology, Sydney. It was busy and safe.

I found the place - not as easy as it seems as apparently it had been known as the Chinese Noodle Restaurant or Cho Dumpling King. But now, it is the Silk Road Chinese Restaurant, noted only because of the fake grapes hanging from the ceiling - WTF? Anyhow, I went in and ordered the Potstickers - good thing I asked about the meat, because all they had was beef/lamb or veggie. I opted for Veggie which was egg and chives only. Again, WTF?? No pork? For dumplings? That's just plain weird. As I was waiting, this other table had this dish that looked like stir fried bamboos and so I asked the server about the dish. Turns out it was potatoes, spicy and sour. I decided to try it because it was just plain different. Here it is:



Considering she asked me twice if I could handle spicy and I said yes both times, it wasn't very spicy. Garlicky, yes. It was definitely interesting, but there was no way I could eat it all and certainly a bit too garlicky for me to want to eat it again. But it was good to try. The potstickers? Just ok. I've had better (ahem, *cough* my mom's and dad's! *cough*). Makes me want to make some myself when I get back to SF. Needless to say, not my favorite.

BTW, the 2 dishes + tea = $16.76

Oh, and I'll just end this post with one observation - the Australians smoke WAY more than we in the US do. I swear. I smell it EVERYWHERE. Very blech.