I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas Day and survived the Christmas feast! I had a traditional Australian lunch of the most divine selection of seafood: scallops, lobster, prawns and salmon. Desert was cognac ice cream and berries: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and baked peaches in champagne. Goodness me! I think it was the best Christmas lunch I've ever had!
Anyway, back to the matter at hand, here is my shadow shot submission. It is the top of one of two towers that flank the face of Luna Park in Sydney. They were modelled on New York's Chrysler building.
Shadow Shot Sunday, by the way, is a fabulous meme set up by the gorgeous Tracy of Hey Harriet! Anyone can enter and here are the instructions on how to do so!
Meanwhile, here are more Luna Park shots.
Luna Park was opened in 1935 so all the architecture and artwork in the park is very art deco. It has had a checkered fortune over the years but these days it is in very fine form having been meticulously restored quite recently.
My Dad used to take me there quite a bit when I was little so I am very fond of Luna Park - I have a lot of happy memories associated with it. However, these days I am more interested in the historic art deco sculptures and art work in and around Luna Park rather than the amusement rides themselves.
These cartoony paintings below are by the legendary Hoppy Arthur 'Art' Barton.
Next to Luna Park and probably built around the same time, is an olympic sized swimming pool which has recently been refurbished. I was super pleased to see that they had kept all the delightful and quirky decoration around the perimeter of the pool.
They're fun, aren't they?
Hope everyone is having a great holiday - I know I am!
What gorgeous photos, darling S!
Hope you had a magical Christmas!
xoxox,
CC
Posted by: Couture Carrie | December 27, 2009 at 08:55 AM
The art-deco detailing is fabulous! The meticulous pain work on the towers by the way in is stunning, The arches by the pool are great, the look of the sea (gull, scallop and fish) wonderful. Your fine description of the seafood causes one to salivate, and I am sure the Aussie seafood is fresh and delicious :>)
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Ralph | December 27, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Looks like a fun place! Great photos! Does sound like you had a fun Christmas!! Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | December 27, 2009 at 10:17 AM
One of the many many reasons I must visit one day dear Sam! I adore the look and sound of Luna park and your amazing photographs... thank you so much for sharing and for making me completely envious of your Christmas lunch! Yum...♥
Posted by: Gabbi | December 27, 2009 at 10:36 AM
What fun shots!
Posted by: Bobbie | December 27, 2009 at 11:17 AM
What an amazing place that must be. I am so glad it is being restored in a way that preserves all its quirky art. Thanks for sharing it with us in you wonderful photos!
Thanks too for stopping by at my blog and for your kind comment.
Posted by: Vicki | December 27, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Oh I want to go to Luna Park! These are such fun shots! Your Christmas lunch sounds exactly like mine! Except for the deserts. Your deserts sound much yummier than the triffle and pavlova at my family gathering. And the mangled gingerbread house. Mangled because I dropped it on the way (I was carrying it for relative). I felt so bad! Weeks and weeks of work went into the making of it I was told. But hey, my shortbread cookies were a big hit. I didn't drop those :)
Isn't this rain just the best!?! Yes we have rain here in Brissy also at the moment. Makes our holidays all the more sweeter when not sweating like little piglets :) xo
Posted by: Tracy | December 27, 2009 at 03:02 PM
They don't make 'em like they used to! The details are so great! I especially like the shell and dolphins at the pool. Great shots!
Posted by: Amanda | December 27, 2009 at 04:35 PM
cognac ice cream~ yummmm...droool*
I had crab sandwich earlier today~ seafood glorious seafood indeed!
Great photos Sam, I think the ladies from your illustrations would be very happy in Luna-Luna Land! The colors go so well together no?!
Fabulous weekend darling!
BIG humongous XO back to you~
Posted by: lenorenevermore | December 27, 2009 at 06:24 PM
Looks like a lovely place, and very nice photos;-)Have a nice sunday!
Posted by: Spiderdama | December 27, 2009 at 09:52 PM
I'm super glad they restored these works of art, they can never be replaced in a child's mind...creepy clown!!!
Posted by: Sweet Repose | December 28, 2009 at 03:03 AM
Looks like an interesting place! Happy new year :)
Posted by: Quasi Serendipita | December 28, 2009 at 04:14 AM
Hi there,
Nice to know you survive with all the festivities around you. Ah... gained weight? I do and NY not even started yet. A hard life to begin with in 2010 huh?
Is this in Luna Park in St. Kilda? Looks familiar. I was there many times and the last was 5 yrs ago. I always visit Melbourne as my cousin lives in St Yarra & cousins around in Taylor's lake, Clayton.
Cool shots!
Take care and have a joyous NY to come.
xoxo
Posted by: chie | December 28, 2009 at 05:58 AM
Your Xmas feast sounds like the most perfect meal ever.
And the Luna Park looks like fun, so retro.
Posted by: Mary-Laure | December 28, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Wow! Love love love that entrance!! So cool:D Happy New Year!
Posted by: Lisa's RetroStyle | December 28, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Love, love the art deco pool photos. What city is this in? Thanks very much, Sara in Seattle
Posted by: Sara Chapman | December 28, 2009 at 12:27 PM
What an amazing building! Wow.
Posted by: Amelia | December 28, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Goodness! Such amazing shots! I have to go to Australia now. It looks like out of a picture book.
I had a perfectly wonderful holiday! I'm glad you did too (your Christmas dinner sounded divine!)
Posted by: Emma Wallace | December 28, 2009 at 05:25 PM
Just looking at the pics is uplifting dear Sam. We also had lots of lovely seafood for Christmas...but that cognac icecream sounds wonderful...I must investigate...
Posted by: Chrisy | December 28, 2009 at 06:26 PM
A belated Merry Christmas to you Sam! Your holiday meal sounds absolutely divine (and now I'm craving good seafood which, living 8 hours inland, is tough to come by). Luna Park is quite a fascinating place, no wonder you were enchanted with it as a child, and still are for its architectural and cultural significance. Thanks so much for sharing your fun pics!
Posted by: Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese | December 29, 2009 at 12:14 AM
That place looks amazing! If it weren't for the people dressed in modern clothes, I bet you could go there and pretend to be hanging around in the 30s. :)
Posted by: Rebecca | December 29, 2009 at 01:52 AM
that sounds so yummy!
what a neat place....great photos!
Posted by: hanako66 | December 29, 2009 at 09:05 AM