The Ken Duncan gallery - The Rocks
Being the top Australian panoramic landscape photographer, there is no better place to set a gallery for Ken Duncan outside one of the oldest areas in Sydney such as The Rocks.
Originally from the town Mildura in Victoria, Ken Duncan's early interest in photography has made him the most acclaimed landscape photographer in Australia. Being a devoted Christian, he uses photography as his way of showing off God's work in creating the world, "To show the beauty of God's creation."
Later in his career he started shooting overseas destinations, and has delivered the same consistency and quality in his work throughout.
The Ken Duncan Gallery in The Rocks has displays of some of Duncan's most famous photographs, from an aerial panorama of Sydney to a stunning wide angle shot of the Australian outback. The gallery holds limited edition prints for sale as well as other less exclusive prints for those just looking for a piece of Ken Duncan's work on their walls.
Even if you are just browsing, Ken Duncan's photographs really capture the essence of the places he went. Looking through his work is like taking a quick trip to some of the world's most remote and least touched places.
Books, posters, CDs and post cards are also on sale here at the gallery.
Gallery hours: Open 7 days 9am - 7pm, closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Ken Duncan Gallery
73 George St
The Rocks
For information on Ken Duncan and his work, as well as to send a friend a free e-card, visit Ken Duncan Online.
Fine dining up the Altitude
Everyone is talking about it. Altitude Restaurant and the Blu Horizon Bar at Sydney's luxury hotel Shangri-La is going to be one of the most romantic, high class and exquisit dining in the city.
Hovering at thirty-six floors above Sydney harbour, the restaurant over looks the waters off Circular Quay, looking into a panorama of the Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Luna Park all in one perfect frame. It's no longer dinner by candle light, rather by glittering white, red, blue and yellow lights that decorates the harbour at night.
The cuisine is modern Australian with a hint of European influence. Chef Steven Krasicki has a wealth of experience from some of Sydney's reputable restaurants and upon joining Altitude as Chef de Cuisine, has brought him modern cuisine styles infused into traditional methods, creating dishes that sound good even on paper. Should you be stumped by choices, the Epi-Curious menu containing eight courses with the best season selection the restaurant has to offer, and is available with matching wine.
The extensive wine list not only features the best of the Australian wines, but also has top international favourites from France.
The restaurant will offer two complimentary glasses of Australian sparkling wine for diners who make reservations between 6pm - 6:30pm Monday to Friday. (Must mention 'Website 36 early diner booking' to receive the offer)
Unfortunately a classy restaurant such as this can sometimes come across a little too - snobby. Expect to be deprived of the window seat when requesting for one, as they are often "reserved for certain people".
Altitude
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
Level 36, 176 Cumberland St
The Rocks
www.altitudesydney.com
Underbelly: Public Arts Lab & Festival
A performing arts event involving every little part of stage production from acting, stage and fashion design to lighting. The merging of artists will bring a pool of creativity and exciting activities at the CarriageWorks, experimenting with various styles of performance and their talents.
Event organiser Rinse Out Inc is a not for profit organisation supporting local emerging and experimental artists, giving them the opportunity and the vanue to expose their works to the general public.
Weekend of 4-6 July, free talks will be held with subjects including Creative Commons Licensing; the navigation between art, craft, design and technology; and Producing for the Arts. Leading up to the festival are public open labs inviting the general public to come and go behind the scene of their production, and experience the activities and efforts that goes into making performing arts.
The festival will run for 2 days on 12 & 13 July with performances, installation and works in progress shows. During the festival the artists will mingle among the audience, projecting their works on the walls or displaying them in person, works including music extravaganzas, dance, aerials and interactive exhibitions creating a realm of surreal bubbling creativity
Tickets to the Festival on sale now through Ticketmaster.
1 day ticket (Saturday 12 or Sunday 13)
Adult $32 plus booking fee
Weekend Pass (1 per person)
Adult $58 plus booking fee
Official Festival Website: Underbelly 2008.
Prague Czech Beer Restaurant
It's easy to find a piece of all cultures in Sydney and Prague Czech Beer Restaurant certainly fits the standard to serve a feast of the eastern European cuisines in the heart of the busy Potts Point district.
On the menu are some of the Czech favourites: Beef Goulash; roast Pork Knuckle; Smoked Pork Ribs and roasted Doung duck, each listed with their Czech language equivalent, making your mouth water as you read. The meals were hearty and not at all 'posh', making it a warm and welcoming dining experience.
Those who do like their beer will love the restaurant's extensive offering, with two of the Czech largers on tap and the friendly wait staff will gladly explain the difference between the beers and make a recommendation should you be unfamiliar with the Czech labels. My personal recommendation would be the Krušovice Lager on tap.
Vegetarian options are available and a special menu especially recommended for beer lovers has great selection of food for the peckish.
Booking is essential as this popular restaurant often cannot accommodate walk in traffic. The restaurant is also located close to trains and some buses, making it easier to have a late night out in the nearby Darlinghurst and Kings Cross districts after a satisfied dinner.
Prague Czech Beer Restaurant
42 Kellett Street,
Potts Point 2011 NSW
Online bookings available on:
www.prague-restaurant.com.au
World Youth Day coming to Sydney
Sydney is counting down and in preparation for the biggest event being held in Australia, an event bigger than the year 2000 Olympics itself and will be attracting more than 120,000 international visitors to the harbour city.It's World Youth Day 2008, with the Opening Mass and concert on the 15 July at Barangaroo and events and teaching sessions will run for 5 days.
For the faithful, it'll be an event to celebrate their religion and their love of God, and a chance to meet Pope Benedict XVI, who will be parading through the Sydney streets on the 17 July in the afternoon, and close the event on the 20 July with a Final Mass at the Randwick Racecourse.
Pilgrims coming for the World Youth day is requested to register online for the events they wish to attend.
However it's not all fun and games for everyone in Sydney. For those planning to visit during the World Youth events, ensure that you plan your stays and avoid areas that will be used for World Youth Day. The local government has warned of major road closures that will affect getting around the city as well as restrictions to certain areas dedicated for the event.
For the World Youth Day events information: World Youth Day 08
Plan your transport with the transport information hotline: www.131500.info
Shark diving at Manly Oceanworld
There are people who likes the blood rushing experiences of staring danger in the face, of being locked in a cage or even freely exploring underwater areas infested by one of the world's most feared marine animal just to get a taste of what its like being around them while there are others who may even fear hearing the name of these creatures.
Then, there are those who are not game enough to throw themselves into the open water but still thirst to fulfil a curiosity about the sharks. For these type of people, there is a cure, at Manly Ocean World Shark Dive Extreme program.
Located just beside the wharf in Manly, Manly Ocean World is like a miniture Sydney Aquarium with tanks full of fish and marine life on display. However, its shark dive program is the only one in Sydney, giving visitors a chance to experience what its like being surrounded by sharks.
The sharks in the tank are Grey Nurses, a specie that is one of the most endangered shark kinds in the world. They are known for their gentle and non-aggressive stance unless provoked, and hence, visitors do not need to fear of being bothered by the sharks - they are well fed before any one even try to dip a toe into the waters.
No diving experience is required although it would be cheaper if you are a certified diver. Your guide will brief you on underwater behaviour and guide you through the dive so that your only worry would be putting on the chunky wetsuit.
Booking essential.
Manly Ocean World
Shark Dive Extreme
$245 - Introductory divers
$180 - Certified divers
www.oceanworld.com.au
Oceanworld Manly
West Esplanade, Manly, Sydney, NSW, 2095, Australia
Web Site
The beginning of the whale season
June marks the beginning of the whale migration season across Australia's east coast, and it is possible to see the large mystical creatures from the shores of Sydney. Hundreds of them journey north at this time of the year making their way to their birth grounds in the warmer waters off Queensland. Then, they'll turn back and pass through the shores of Sydney again in November on their way home.
Whales can be spotted along the shores of the North and South Heads of Sydney as well as from the cliffs of the Botany Bay National park. All you have to do is to get a spot along the railings and wait patiently.
Alternatively, get up and close to the beautiful whales on a whale watching cruise. Whale Watching Sydney.net has 100% Whale sighting guarantee and has won the NSW tourism awards in 2005 and 2007. Tours depart daily during May to December from Darling Harbour and Circular Quay.
Another cruise company offers a similar guarantee. True Blue Cruises has morning or afternoon whale-watching sessions on their purpose built sea cat and its low viewing deck means you can get as close as possible for a fantastic photograph without bending too much overboard. Should no whales be sighted during June and July, they'll give you a full refund, or a second cruise for free.
Both will offer free coffee and tea on-board to keep you warm in the cold southern hemisphere winter.
True Blue Cruises
www.sydneywhalewatching.com
Whale Watching Sydney
www.whalewatchingsydney.net (Quote coupon No. WT02008 for 20% off)*
*offer until Dec 2008