A Day in Dar

11 December 2015

Our tour today was "A GLIMPSE OF DAR ES SALAAM." Our first stop was Mnazi Moja Park followed by a tour of Mwenge Carvers' market where craftsmen were working on ebony carvings. We then visited a gallery devoted to Tinga Tinga, a colourful form of art unique to East Africa. There was then a change of focus at the Village Museum where we learnt more about the culture of the 120 different indigenous tribes. Finally before heading back to the ship we stopped off at the National Museum. 

Sail in

Western influence

Anh Do - Artist

I didn't realise that the multi-talented Australian comedian and writer Anh Do could also paint.

Here is the portrait of his father he submitted for The Archibald Prize.

My Kind of Girl

Tidying my photos I found this picture I snapped in Santorini in 2011.

Not your Average Fete

Along with some of the family Mr Geniaus and I attended the King's Spring Festival at The King's School in Parramatta yesterday.

Jam and Pickles 1977 (I'm in the Union Jack tshirt)

When my girls were at school these school fundraising celebrations were called Fetes and were very simple affairs with horse rides, home made cakes, a merry-go-round, handicrafts and secondhand goods. My baptism of fire came when I was a keen kindergarten mother; one of the more senior mums introduced me to another young mum, Kay, who has now been my friend for 35 years, and suggested we run the jam and pickles stall. So began our fete career. By the time my last child left school I had convened the whole affair a couple of times.

The Fete Festival at Kings was huge.  The school is set in 300 acres in what is now the geographic centre of Sydney so there is plenty of space for big gig. Gone were the handmade and secondhand goods; there wasn't a homemade sponge in sight but there was plenty to amuse young and old and plenty of opportunities to give the credit card some activity. Part of the festival that was held over three days was The King's School Art Show; it was pleasing to see that the school was supporting a local charity, The Westmead Children's Hospital with some of the proceeds from the Festival.

My favourite artworks were those done by the prep students

My favourite artist shows off his apple art

The male members of the family disappeared  to peruse the British Car Show - there were hundreds of vehicles

Three captivating sculptures from the Art Show

 

People were out in force on this glorious winter's day

There were novelties...

and posh hats for sale. (I got one too)

The boys didn't complain about the long wait for a Dodgem Car ride

We passed on the Teacups and other thrill rides

Don't know what these were

There were performers to get the kids dancing

Ice-cream rewards at the end of the day

Some people just thought the event was a big yawn.

Trees by a Riverbank

Mr Geniaus has terrible trouble finding birthday presents for this girl who "has everything". I didn't expect a gift this year as I considered that my recent trip to Europe with my daughter was more than enough.

But I do like surprises so I was more than delighted when Mr Geniaus yesterday gave me a large parcel that had arrived from England. After I finally removed the surprise from the metres of bubble wrap that were protecting it I found something that I wasn't expecting at all; it was Trees by a River Bank.

Trees by A River Bank

It's a painting by Australian artist Jamie Boyd, son of Arthur, and member of the family that includes a few other prominent Australian painters.

What is surprising is that we're not really into art and don't collect paintings but I guess that we do now. Mr Geniaus found this one on a UK auction site while looking for something else, bought it and had it shipped to Australia.

I was quite floored by this lovely surprise. Thank you Mr Geniaus.