It was Chinese Culture and Harmony days celebrated at the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour.  I attended the first day when the celebrations started with the lion dance to open the day.  The children squealed with delight as the lions head came right up to them.  In the top picture it shows how on performer jumped on the shoulders of the other and made the lion very formidable.  The Chinese Green tea ceremony and Tai-chi demonstration took about two hours and I really enjoyed it. Three different teas were served plus a sweet dumpling.  Two Chinese men were displaying their art of calligraphy, one drew symbols of words and I took home the symbol of 'dragon' done on rice paper.  The other chap was painting koi fish and as the queue was very long, I didnt wait.  The gardens are so tranquil and it hard to believe its in the middle of so many high rise business buildings.  The koi fish are at least a foot long in the ponds and children had more fun feeding them than themselves.
Also through Probus, another outing I went on was the law courts in the Downing Centre where we were given a very short talk then could sit in on any trial going on.  The one I sat in, the three young men were accused of armed robbery.  The next part of the outing was the Reserve Bank  in Martin Place where we were given a great tour of the museum.  When this was over, I took the opportunity to walk up to the Lion Walk House in the Botanic Gardens where there was a photography exhibition.  Really good and a great day out.