Sydney in My Mind

Australia beckons like a mystery. My first view of the continent was on air. Looking down from my airplane window on a starry night, I saw a large expanse of dark empty space with isolated dots of lights that appeared to me at first as fishing boats. It dawned on me later that the dark empty space was nothing but the vast barren land of the world’s smallest continent. Its very center is empty. Only its coastal borders were adorned with lights of life.

Intoxicating. Sydney is a blending of cultures. No other city that I have been to have such cultural diversity. I saw Middle Eastern people, dressed in their traditional fashion, strolling freely around the suburbs. There’s the ubiquitous Chinese community in Chinatown; Vietnamese majority in Hurstville; Thai, Italian, Lebanese territories in a borrowed land. Sydney offers many flavors of the East and West. I had my taste of kebab, Turkish bread, Vietnamese noodle, Japanese sushi, Thai roll, Italian pizza and “Hungry Jack.” It is what makes Sydney intoxicating. It is the blending of these cultures that gives it its unique character.

Breathtaking. The intrinsic beauty of the country captured my imagination. Its magnificent sights is a visual delight. I was mesmerized by the strong waves crushing with all its power against the rocky slopes of Kiama and The Gap. I was astonished at the agile surfers in the magnificent Bondi Beach as they try to outmaneuver the giant waves. I felt a deep affinity with nature as I strolled through the unspoiled bushes of the Filsroy Falls in Kangaroo Valley and the Three Sisters of the Blue Mountains. I gushed at the sight of pelicans as they glided through the waters of the Myall River at the Tea Gardens. I was captivated by God’s signature in the crystal formations of the Jenolan Caves. I could not help but be awed by the beauty and splendor of our Creator. Australia is indeed blessed with such a natural beauty and wonder.

The "blow hole" at Kiama

Inside the Jenolan Cave

Exhilarating. I felt like a child again as I sand boarded down the steep dunes of Stockton Beach in Port Stephens, truly one of nature’s masterpieces. I was thrilled at the experience of an off road safari adventure in a bush mobile. I marveled at the friendly bottlenose dolphins cruising alongside our vessel at Nelson Bay. I got the thrill of an adrenaline rush as I jumped with the waves while onboard the Moonshadow. My face brightened with joy as I saw kangaroos in the wild on my way to Canberra and a seemingly lost dolphin at Anchorage. I had a visual spectacle of the ocean’s beauty at Fingal Bay.

I tried "sand boarding" at Port Stephens

The Regozos and Velayos took me to Port Stephens

With my mom, nieces Yna and Nikki at Cockington Green Gardens in Canberra

Captivating. The city itself offers first time visitors with thrill and excitement. I had my share of close encounters with “Bruce” the shark and “Nemo” the clown fish at the Sydney Aquarium. The model of the Great Barrier Reef at the aquarium was a sight to behold. It felt like you were really in it – communing with those colorful sea creatures. I got to peek through the lenses of a telescope at the Sydney Observatory. The 3D presentation of the planetary system was just out of this world. I enjoyed the ferry rides to Taronga Zoo and Manly Beach. I have never seen such big chimpanzees as those in Taronga. And of course, one’s trip to the zoo is never complete without a visit to the habitat of the cuddly koalas and kangaroos.

At the Sydney Observatory

My bff Jacqui treated me to a day at Taronga Zoo

The Harbour Bridge and the Opera House are man’s gift to the city. It is an awe-inspiring testament to man’s creativeness and ingenuity. I walked the length of Pitt Street and George Street and admired the many shops and its merchandize. I stood at Circular Quay and watched street performers do their act. I entered Sydney’s past as I walked through the cobblestone roads of The Rocks. I was fortunate to see Sydney high above the ground. On one occasion, I saw the city in the stillness of the night at the 47^th floor of Century Towers Building. The lights below looked like fireflies spread on uneven grass in a meadow. There were birds flying above the towers, mesmerized by the neon lights of the city. On another occasion, I was blessed to witness the setting of the sun amidst a burst of colors in the horizon while on top of the Centennial Towers. There I was transfixed and captivated by God’s beauty and wonder.

My mom and I at Circular Quay, overlooking the Opera House

Interesting. The houses are very European. Mostly made of bricks, houses in the Western suburbs are bigger and sprawling. In the Eastern suburbs, especially the areas of Elizabeth Bay, Rose Bay and Double Bay, the houses are ultra modern and chic. I love the beachfront apartments. Each unit has its own glass- covered terraces where owners or tenants can just sit awhile and enjoy the ocean view. Nearer the city, I have noticed Victorian houses dressed in intricately laced-designed metal balconies. The commercial building in old suburbs reminded me so much of towns of long ago in American Western movies. I had to remind myself that, like America, Europeans first colonized Australia. Sydney is a blend of the old and new. In the city, one will notice 18^th century buildings beside 21^st century structures. They have successfully kept their culture intact. No wonder many Aussies are proud of their heritage.

Inspiring. But Sydney is just a city. Probably just like any first world city. What make Sydney in my mind memorable and inspiring were the people that surrounded me throughout my 3 weeks stay. There’s Mary Carroll and Adrian Warren, my first Aussie friends. I met them during a “Tony Robbins” seminar I attended at the Sydney Entertainment Center. They proved to me that Aussies are warm and friendly.

Then there’s Connie, Edith, Arni and Elenita – all my brother Bong’s friends. They are the sweetest strangers I have met this side of the world. Only my first time to have met them but they showed me such thoughtfulness and hospitality. Elenita and Edith took turns to pick me up at 2 in the morning – after a long day’s seminar. Connie and Edith, who are siblings, shared their talent in cooking by preparing special dinner in their respective pads. In return, I’d share with them some nuggets of wisdom I gained from Tony Robbins. I spent several long evenings with them just singing the night away. They are beautiful people, single but not lonely; and they have the best of hearts.

With Connie, Edith, Bong, my mom, sister-in-law Tiffi and her daughters

Heartwarming. But my fondest memory and most heartwarming experience of Sydney were the moments with my forever friends - Bobby and Jette, Titoy and Jacqui. I guess Sydney in my mind became most extraordinary and pleasant because of the love and friendship I felt during my weekends with them.

Drs Bobby and Jette Regozo

Titoy and Jacqui Velayo in front of their house in Penrith

I have very few earthly treasures. Among the few I kept closest to my heart are my fabulous “forever friends” – Junette, Jacqui and Nerissa. Imagine the joy in my heart the first time I saw Junette after 7 years. Her exquisite beauty is a sight for sore eyes. She has maintained her youthful glow. We could not help our gibberish talk because we were so excite to see each other. Ever the sophisticated lady, she treated me to a luxurious facial at the Hopewood Health Center on the second day of my visit to her adopted country. Jette is a friend I truly admire. Despite the struggles of a hands-on mom in a foreign land, she was able to bring up three excellent gentlemen – Rainier, James and Jaron. Rainier is the typical teenager – so cool and in love with his fine featured car. James has the looks of her mother – very handsome. And Jaron has the smartness of his dad. Jette does deserve all the caprices and whims she desires since she has done very well as a mother and wife.

My favorite doctor turned I.T. whiz, Junette Regozo, at Fingal Bay

I have not seen Jacqui in fifteen years. Yet, she has remained ever the angelic beauty. Despite being five months pregnant during my visit, she was still radiant and beautiful. I could not have imagined her as a successful professional at the center of one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. She is a city girl, knowing all the ins and outs Sydney could offer. I had a hey day with her strolling along the guarded fences of the Taronga Zoo. It seemed that both of us had this affinity with nature. We could go about a day just resting in a park, watching seagulls fly; or having lobster mornay and grilled salmon at the Fish Market while the world goes by. Equally as angelic is her little Hope who impressed me with her command of the written language. Jacqui is a blessing and a source of inspiration to her mother and sister. And, likewise, Tita Aling and Mary-anne are blessings to her, Hope, Titoy and yet to be born child.

My corporate executive friend, Jacqui, in the valleys of the Blue Mountains

Titoy, I know very little of. But I have heard much about him from my brother Bong. Titoy did reminisce with me those days when he was just starting off his life in the land downunder. Was that 15 or 18 years ago? And look where he is now! Indeed, he has gone a long way. God is good to both him and Jacqui. They have a lovely home in a beautiful community in Penrith. He took pleasure capturing every moment Jacqui, Jette and I had together through the lenses of his video camera. I am forever grateful to him for that one moment in Baguio many years ago where he was able to capture the “forever friends” in a bench in Burnhan Park. That picture has remained a memorabilia of the happy years of our youth. A naturalistic person, Tito has this gift for all things green. I could still see in my mind’s eye his lovely garden in the valleys of the Blue Mountain.

Titoy, Jacqui, Bobby and I

And Bobby.. a sweet and gentle soul, has the kindest of heart and spirit. In Jette’s absence, he took the burden of driving me around to showcase the beauty Australia has to offer. I learned quite a bit about Australia from him, I had my share of thrill and excitement at Port Stephens and the Jenolan Caves because of his adventuristic spirit. Jette is indeed blessed to have a loving partner in Bobby. And so does Bobb. He has proven how determined Filipinos can make it big in a foreign land. I gained a friend in Bobb and that I will add to my treasure chest.

As I go back to the memory lane of my Sydney experience, I feel a gnawing pain in my heart. I did enjoy my visit to the land down under tremendously. I do miss my friends. But these beautiful experiences are now an addition to my emotional bank account. Each time I will feel depressed or lonely, I can always go back to these happy memories and remember the many deposits of love and affection I have received while in Australia.

My "forever friends in Frisco!"

I thank God with all my heart for letting me feel Him through the beauty of Sydney and the love of my friends. It had been a truly extraordinary experience!

Written October 12, 2003