Babbleocity 25 (Live From Sydney)

On the road in Sydney, Australia ...

The 'Sybility' of Sydney - I was prepared for something entirely different, but this city has surprised me with it's vigor and variety. The place is positively bustling and seems determined to pack a piece of every interesting city on Earth into it's lovely spaces. If pushed to compare Sydney to anywhere else, I'd reply it was a mix of Seattle and San Francisco, with a seasoning of New York and a touch of Portland, Oregon. Add to that recipe a laid back Southern California feel and you'd just about have it. Of course, although it can be thought of as a city of many personalities, it has its own character - an international hub where vibrant Asian culture meets the best of Australia, the Americas, and Europe.

Two wheels down under - My impression that Sydney was spiritually connected to San Francisco was further heightened by the amount of motorcycles and scooters tooling about the town. Anyone who has visited our 'City By The Bay' has noted how many of its denizens make their way on two wheels. The same is true here. And the connection is even cannier: In San Francisco Ducatis dominate the motorcycle scenery, especially the 'Monster' models. These distinctive machines make up a significant percentage here too. You may or may not love their motorcycles (I do), but you have to give it to the Italians - they know how to spread the love around...

All creatures great and weird - My early years were spent in academic pursuit of biological knowledge. Life and time has taken me in other directions, but I've maintained an interest through hobbies like SCUBA diving, and through the maintenance of a variety of unusual pets over the years. Visiting Australia has reinforced that interest. One of the first sights on arriving was a couple of sulfur-crested cockatoos feeding on a lawn. Not in captivity, but free to fly where they will. Another odd sight was my first live look at a platypus. Actually two of the oddball but engaging creatures were on display at the Sydney Aquarium, along with a saltwater crocodile (Steve Irwin was truly brave and nuts), some nice sharks and rays, and a pair of dugongs, the saltwater versions of manatees. The dugongs truly floored me with their unexpected beauty. Much sleeker and with more dolphin-like tails than manatees, they moved with fluid grace but still had the sad and soulful look of their freshwater cousins. Well worth a long look if you are visiting.