A few hours less than a full week after returning from the Run For The Wall, I left on a business trip to Australia. I’ve been here before, that journey was for business as well. I call it a journey as the entire voyage to Sydney from Olympia, inclusive of layovers and flights took 29 hours.
While I don’t have a great deal of time to sight-see as I’m here to work, the timing of my arrival couldn’t have been better for viewing the world famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Starting May 27th and running through June 18th (Ironically, the dates of my two kids birthdays) Sydney has hosted Vivid. Last evening, I walked the 45 minutes from my hotel down to the Sydney’s Quay (pronounced “key”) district.
Left to Right, excluding the photobomber, are Natalie, Ziggy, and Laura. Great hosts and fun kids.
While taking in the amazing sights and sounds of Vivid, I introduced myself to three college students who I overheard talking about going to the Botanical Gardens. Not knowing the area, I’d wanted to see how Vivid had transformed the gardens, but I wasn’t sure how to get there. So, I kindly interrupted their conversation and asked if I could follow them there. I figured asking to follow them might be better than being perceived as a stalker should they notice the generally round, balding American following them with a camera in hand. They were very gracious and not only agreed to show me the way, but became the best tour guides I could’ve asked for, were there a place that offered tour guides to choose from for middle-aged businessmen with limited time to take in the amazing spectacle of Vivid.
The Botanical Gardens were somewhat
Harbour Bridge and Opera House Lit during Vivid 2016
© 2016 Daniel W. Slocum/SlocumMedia
of a disappointment, but the company was not. They told me about the history of Vivid, how the images displayed on the Opera House were generated by massive projectors with even more massive lenses about 200 yards away across the harbour. They showed me some great places to take pictures and invited me to join them as they walked through the Cathedral of Light installation at the Botanical Garden’s edge.
Overall the experience was ‘illuminating’, insert cheesy grin here. The art of Vivid was truly exceptional. If you get the chance to travel to Sydney, do try to coordinate the trip with Vivid it will not disappoint you.
Opera House Lit during Vivid 2016 © 2016 Daniel W. Slocum/SlocumMedia
Opera House Lit during Vivid 2016 © 2016 Daniel W. Slocum/SlocumMedia
Museum of Modern Art Lit during Vivid 2016 © 2016 Daniel W. Slocum/SlocumMedia
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