Waggamamma

(Louvelle’s Apartment, Glebe (Sydney), Australia)

We woke up to what appeared to be a decent day, weather wise. As we were eating our breakfast the rain started, however, but it was hardly severe. We finished up, then hopped on a bus to Darling Harbour to take in the Aquarium. As far as aquarium’s go, this one wasn’t too bad. Not as good as the one in Camden, but this one had a far superior underwater tank. Filled with tons of fish, tons of sharks, sting rays and giant turtles, it was definitely the highlight. Also neat to see was the platypus which was pretty active in its habitat.

From there we walked over to the Domain. We ended up getting caught in the rain at one point, so we hopped into the local library for shelter and because I was interested in seeing what it was like. Nothing terribly special, as far as libraries go, but Louvelle found some teaching oriented books she could flip through. The rain died down a bit, so we headed across the Domain to the art gallery.

Free admission to the gallery, which was nice to see – as Sydney is quite expensive. We toured the gallery for a bit. Lots of Australian artists, and aboriginal work, but nothing comparable to the galleries in Europe.

On our way out of the gallery, we walked through the domain again and came across Brian Wilson’s sound-check for the Sydney Festival First Night later that evening. We watched them muddle about on stage for a couple of songs, then met Louvelle’s friend, Julie, for lunch. We went to Sushi Train, where plates of sushi travel past the tables and you grab what you want to eat, and later pay by plate. Not a bad system.

Julie dropped us off at the Glebe market, so we could get Louvelle a replacement nose ring. Louvelle had to rush home to get to a dance rehearsal, so I wandered around the market on my own, then hit up some of the shops on Glebe Pt. Road.

Lee, one of Louvelle’s roommates let me borrow a couple of books, so I started reading one of those, and before long grabbed a cab to the Sydney Festival with Lee and another of Louvelle’s roommates, Doc.

Sydney Festival was super busy. We walked through Hyde Park, but the food area was packed, so we grabbed dinner in a nearby food court and headed to the Martin Square stage. Doc was keen on seeing Chromeo perform. I had no idea who they were, but it turns out they’re from some place called Canada. Kind of a dance, club kind of sound. Not really my thing, but the DJ beforehand, Ember, was pretty good.

We met up with Louvelle a little before the close of Chromeo’s set, and headed back to Hyde Park where there were some big bands performing. Stayed there for a bit, then split with Lee and Doc, and went in search of Louvelle’s dance friends at a place called Waggamamma. Waggamamma was, surprise surprise, a Japanese restaurant. We chatted for a bit, then hitched a ride with them to Central Station and caught the bus home.