Its all a load of Politics

I woke up at around 7 feeling sleepy thinking I would stay in bed a bit longer. About 8.30 I couldn’t sleep any more so I got up and got on with my day. I got to ‘Parliament House’ around 10:30. It’s a very impressive building standing on top of Capital Hill. It’s actually built into the hill as so not to over impose on the old parliament building about 400m down the Federation Mall. What is very impressive is that you can look from the top of Parliament House down the Mall over Old Parliament house over the Lake and up Anzac Parade to the National War Memorial. The design and layout of Canberra is very cleverly done. The ‘new’ Parliament house has been in uses since 1988 and intended to stand for 200 years. They have 2 main rooms here which from what I understand, which is limited being politics, use the British and American systems as there is the House of Representatives [House of Commons] and the Senate. Both rooms are huge and I think it would be interesting to watch a ‘Question Time’ and see some politicians under pressure.

After the tour I went on to the roof and this gives a fantastic view over all of Canberra and got some shots. Next I headed for a cup of tea and had lunch. After which I proceeded to the Old Parliament House and again took the tour here. It’s very similar to the new building but just more character to the place. We could also go into the Cabinet Room and the Prime minister’s office.

I left there and headed to the National Gallery just down the road. This is also Free to visit, but you’re not allowed to take photo’s inside. They have a couple of Claude Monet pieces which one was of his water lilies and so I had a good look at these as I very much enjoy his artwork which can be called artwork compared to a lot of the tosh in there that well a 2 year could make.

Needless to say I didn’t stay long and headed for the shops to get some bits including proper coffee! Before back to YHA to blogging for a bit. After dinner I headed to Anzac parade to get some pictures at night of the Parliament building from across the lake. It is a really impressive place all lit up at night.

I wasn’t feeling all that great so got back to the hostel and sure enough had an upset stomach so bed with laptop and watch Happy Feet 2 before falling asleep.