I’d be lying if I said we were okay. We’re not… but only recently, we are no
longer overwhelmed with sadness. Not a
day goes by that we don’t talk about Sabi and memories we have of her. When I got back from my Bangkok/ Cambodia
trip (more on that later) one of the first things I did was hold her box and
say “hello”. Eloise talks to her every
night before bed.
VIVID Festival couldn’t have come at a better time this year;
it was the perfect distraction for us.
It’s our favourite festival so over a few evenings we hit the
highlights. It’s grown so much over the
last few years, it’s impossible to see it all.
Our highlights were the new sections this year.
On the first weekend of the festival, we checked into The
Shangri-La Sydney. We made a day of it
and after dumping our bags, we introduced MrH to our favourite burger (Burger Project) then donut (Doughnut Time) joints in Sydney. Then returned to check-in to our room for the night.
 |
| Room with a view |
We had a swim in the indoor pool (it is winter after all)
then headed into the crowds. But dinner
first; Mama needs her mushroom sauce.
 |
| Searock Grill, Circular Quay |
Royal Botanic Gardens/ Garden of Light
This was their first year participating as part of their 200th
birthday. And wow! We felt like we were in Pandora (Avatar). The Cathedral of Light: 60m long and 8m high, made of tens of
thousands of white LED lights.
After the Cathedral of Light, there was an amazing light
projection show on the trees “Synthesis”
 |
| That tree is full of snakes! |
One of my favourites of the night: Will o’ the Wisps
 |
| These 'fates' would change colour! |
Customs House had Sydney’s Hidden Stories
MCA/ The Matter of Painting was hypnotic. It was a loop of paint spilling, dripping then peeling off the Museum of Contemporary Art.
After a dreamy night sleep, we indulged at Café Mix for our
included breakfast.
 |
| Who sleeps like this??? |
I then jumped on the
train into work while MrH and the kids leisurely made their way home after
another swim.
VIVID, Darling
Harbour
Later in the week, on a school night… shh! We headed to
Darling Harbour precinct and were able to catch 2 different Laser-Dragon
Water-Theatre shows on the water.
VIVID, Taronga Zoo
Our final VIVID experience as at Taronga Zoo “Be the Light
for the Wild”. 
There was a light trail
and a few sneaky animal sightings. We
saw one of the Asian Elephants out and the giraffes were sitting hidden in
their den, watching us. We could see the
top of their heads moving! The light
sculptures were excellent, even having moving parts to them!
 |
| The light trail |
 |
| Asian Elephant Light Sculpture |
My favourite was the building projections at the entrance. These photos (I took video too) do not do it justice. I could have sat there all night watching this projection on conservation.
We can't wait to see what's new next year!
