The Botanical Gardens and Mardi Gras

This was the day we did 22,000 steps. I can tell you that my ankles, knees, and hips know it for sure. The day started out quietly and reflectively and ended with Mary and me in the middle of 300,000. This is how it all went down.

We took the train to Circular Quay (pronounced "key") on the Harbor and then walked to the Opera House. We were able to get into the lobby to have a look around. With Stephanie being an Opera Singer we felt we needed to make this pilgrimage.

Then into the Botanical Gardens which are like the Central Park of Sydney.

There is a beautiful view of the Opera House and the Bridge.

We rested for an hour or so and then went off to see the Fish Market, shopped in a huge downtown flea market called Paddy's market, drank a beer in the Palace Hotel and then went off to see what this Mardi Gras thing was all about. It all began in 1978 with a few people making a statement about recognition for LGBTQ people. Since then it has grown into an international celebration. We had no idea it was happening when we scheduled our visit but realized that we had to go and take a look. As we finished our beers Mary said, "let's just go and see what is happening." We'd heard to get a good view of the parade you had to get a place by 11:00AM and certainly no later than 4:00 PM along the parade route. As we got closer and closer to the parade venue the crowds got more intense.

Here are some people making their way to the parade with us.

We thought this might get a bit wild. We were shocked that when we arrived at Oxford Street, we were in the third row back. We had a perfect view.

Slowly the excitement grew as more of the parade walkers showed up.

And then the fireworks began and the paraded was underway. The theme was fearless.

Here's how it looks live:

I kept feeling the crowd pressing in on us from behind but had no idea about how many people had arrived and lined up behind us until we decided it was time to leave. People were pressed shoulder to shoulder and back to front all trying to see for at least 25 rows. Mary and I took at least five minutes just getting through the press of people who were all in a very celebratory mood.

Tomorrow we leave Sydney for Cairns.