As I mentioned in my last post – I’m doing Australia in a series of posts called Audrey vs. Australia. LOOK OUT! And my first stop was basically in my backyard – a 15 minute walk from our apartment took us to the gorgeous Chinese Garden of Friendship, right in Darling Harbour.
I’ve walked past the Garden more times than I count, but Saturday marked the first time I’ve been behind the walls. It’s $6 for adult admission, and it’s $6 of beauty, zen, and most importantly, big ass, majestic lizards. The garden is filled with peaceful rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and lagoons; is drowning in greenery; is glowing with flowers and lanterns; and dotted with intricately designed pavilions and secret pathways where you can have a sit or explore. It’s an interesting juxtaposition of traditional zen and bustling city, and I had a blast. Will definitely add “Chinese Garden of Zen” to my future dream house plans.
It was a bit cold, and too late into autumn to see the garden in bloom, but it was still absolutely lovely. I can only imagine how lush and beautiful it looks in spring and summer. Or when it’s raining. Ah man.
Let’s take a tour:
The majestic Bin Chicken beckons you inThe entrance to the garden – a fun bonsai farm.views through the pavilionI love red lanternswalk way of zenlagoon of zenActual PhotographerI am a rat. Zodia-graphically. The Garden had all the Chinese zodiac animals hidden around the place. I almost found them all.
lily pads and sculptures and willow trees, oh my!waterfall!A stranger offered to take our photo. And she didn’t steal my camera. Friendship forever.Love Graffiti Bamboo Forest1 of 1 billion flower picsmore zodiac sculptures2 of 1 billion flower picsSUN BERRIESI want this print on a dress.top of the falls, and the Rising Jade PavilionI love this reflectionIt’s my faaavouriteFake Photographerraise the red lanternRising Jade, for my mom – she had jade plants all around the house when I was growing up.3 of 1 billion flower picsmy lily pads and sculptures and lagoon (featuring casino construction in the background)4 of 1 billion flower picsTwin Pavilion – named for it’s joined roof and benchesThere were SO MANY lizards. I took about 700 photos. In fact, this blog was almost called “Chinese Garden of LIZARDS”fantastic details inside the Twin Pavilion. I’m buying all the red lanterns this year.East viewsWillow trees = best treesbaby falls
I love a good stone stair case – and the Gardens did not disappoint. It’s basically the closest I’ll get to rock climbing.I also love this handsome faceView of the aptly named Grand PavilionMore gorgeous details in the Grand Paviliondat ceiling lanternViews to the westthe red-pink flowers were the bestForest gardenRABBITLIZARD (seriously – I had to restrain myself from only posting lizard photos. Be thankful I stopped myself at 2.)no trolls were foundbabble babblemore bamboo islandsviews to the westDUCKFEEEEESH – we got there right after feeding time, and it was literally a frenzy. These suckers were huuuuge.exit with zengood bye!
I had a pretty stressful Friday, which bled into Saturday morning, and I was surprised that wandering around the Garden all morning absolutely took my mind off of it. As we left, I felt happy, relaxed, and like I wanted to go right back in. I’m not one who is normally fixed by zen gardens, and I didn’t even realise it, but it actually worked. Triumph!
Audpodge and Blither Blather 