How to Tame Your Dragon

I watched the live-action movie How to Train Your Dragon at the cinema, which is a remake of the 2010 animated classic. The film tells the story of Hiccup, a young Viking who lives in a village that hunts dragons. Everything changes when he injures a rare Night Fury and, instead of killing it, chooses to befriend and train it. This decision challenges the beliefs of his people and sets off a journey of understanding, courage, and transformation. The live-action version closely follows the plot of the original and features stunning visual effects that bring the dragons and Viking world to life. As a fan of the animated trilogy, I appreciated how faithful the remake was while adding a new layer of realism.

Animated trilogy

Dragons and the nostalgia they stir

Dragons have always stirred something deep in me—an emotional nostalgia tied to two powerful childhood memories. At St George’s Grammar School, where I spent my formative years, the presence of St George loomed large, both in name and in symbol. In the foyer, a commanding artwork depicted the legendary moment: St George, lance in hand, vanquishing a dragon. I passed it daily, and it etched itself into my young imagination—not just as a scene of conquest, but as a symbol of courage, myth, and mystery.

Around the same time, in early primary school, we read The Hobbit, and I encountered a very different dragon—Smaug. Unlike the defeated beast of the foyer painting, Smaug was cunning, regal, and terrifying. I was utterly captivated by the scenes where Bilbo, cloaked in invisibility, crept through the vast halls of gold to face the dragon alone. The tension, the quiet bravery, the shimmer of firelight on treasure—those images never left me. Between St George’s lance and Bilbo’s ring, dragons came to embody something more than monsters; they became symbols of the unknown, of imagination, and of the hidden treasures we discover when we dare to face what frightens us.

St George slaying the dragon

Bilbo and Smaug

Chinese Friendship Garden

A lovely outing to the Chinese Garden of Friendship; such a beautiful, peaceful place.

Interesting facts about the Chinese Garden

• The garden was a gift from Sydney's sister city, Guangzhou, China, to celebrate the strong bond between New South Wales and Guangdong Province.
• Opened in 1988: It was officially opened during Australia’s Bicentenary celebrations.
• The garden follows ancient Taoist principles of balance (yin and yang) and incorporates the five natural elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
• Its tranquil waters are home to vibrant koi fish and are surrounded by lush vegetation and rock sculptures.
•  Curved paths and hidden vistas encourage wandering and reflection, mirroring life’s natural flow.
• Many materials, such as tiles and stonework, were imported from China, and artisans from Guangzhou contributed to the construction.
• The garden features plants that bloom at different times of the year—like cherry blossoms in spring and lotus flowers in summer.
• The garden is also home to water dragons, turtles, and various bird species, adding to its lively serenity.

 

Chinese Gardens (Sydney)

I spent a lovely morning strolling around these stunning gardens near Darling Harbour. A very tranquil place.