Sydney Visit to the ANMM (Written on Feb 06, 2013)
‘Whale Song’ amongst the treasured heritage fleet at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, NSW.
Photo credit M.Jenner
Whale Song has had a lovely and busy five days alongside at the South Jetty of the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) in Darling Harbour. We caught up with colleagues from the Museum whom we met last year and made new contacts with many exciting ideas regarding project possibilities between the ANMM and CWR.
View from the aft Albatross Deck of ‘Whale Song’ towards the Sydney CBD across Darling Harbour.
Photo credit M.Jenner
Iconic lighthouse and the distinctive masts of ‘Endeavour’ seen at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Photo credit M.Jenner
It is wonderful to feel the vibe of the city with all the energy and vibrancy that comes with 4 million inhabitants, especially from her heart in Darling Harbour. As well as the roads and foot-paths jam-packed the harbour is a hustle and bustle of daily activity including the integral ferry system linking many bays with central Circular Quay for regular commuter traffic, huge charter vessels laden with excited, well-dressed and inebriated dancing guests, smaller convenient Water Taxis zipping from landing to landing through to the tugs neatly positioning massive white towering cruise-liners full of well-heeled world-travellers. Private sailing yachts and class racers jostle finding the best wind shifts gracing the water-ways like pale butterflies beneath “The Coat-hanger”, our fabulous, famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. In the differing lights of the day, the unusual tiling and gorgeous shapes of the Opera House glow magnificently.
Micheline enjoying the Sydney sights as we depart.
Photo credit I Ford
Slowly two by two the Science crew from the journey across (SAAP) of Visual and Acoustic observers dispersed to homes in Perth and Melbourne until the next transit journey back to WA. For the next couple of weeks Whale Song and her core Marine crew will work exclusively with Defence in the Jervis Bay region. We were sad to see everyone leaving, none-the-least our Tas returning to St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School for Year 9. It was an interesting early Sunday morning send off for Tas and Nic, as somehow a pub brawl made its’ way to our awaiting taxi and a male beating victim hid in the back luggage area while we were closing the rear door of the station wagon taxi… during the few minutes that we spoke with him nicely requesting he get out of the boot, his 10-12 angry and drunk pursuers scattered, clearly put off by the taxi driver, Curt, myself and Skipper standing at the rear of the car, inadvertently “protecting” their victim. Eventually, we convinced him to get out of the car, so Tas and Nicole could make their 7am flight back to Perth. Welcome to the weirder side of cities…
We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Sydney, as always and felt right at home, even more so with friends waving and calling from the ferries while we casually enjoyed our take-away fish n’ chip and wine Sunday lunch on the Albatross Deck with lovely friends Martin and Jez. We were most excited to see Chris Bray from the Explorers Club and Australian Geographic and Natsumi and Amy, journalists from AG. Seeing Renata and Pete again was awesome and we are thrilled with potential plans with fellow EC member Sue Clothier, Founder and Director of Northern Pictures. We got wet, very wet, we became warm under the sun and changed jackets several times with the changing weather conditions during our treks across and around the CBD and beyond. Thanks Sydney, it was fun! ‘Til next time Syders!
Micheline pointing to her early childhood home in Sydney, NSW.
Photo credit M.Jenner
Inday and Micheline in their ‘Whale Song’ team attire.
Photo credit C.Sorgiovanni
Dropping our lines from the South Jetty at the ANMM in Darling Harbour at 0835 we set sail for our next adventure! Thanks all at the ANMM! Ahoy me hearties!
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