Well, we did Sydney in two days, seeing the major sites by day and clocking plenty of kilometers afoot along the way.
We set out on Monday from our hotel and made our way first to the library for internet, then on to the main show at Circular Quay via the Botanical Gardens. In the gardens we got to experience some more rain forest complete with a multitude of giant fruit bats in just about every tree, fighting and chattering away. We got close up to a flock of grazing cockatoos, and I made the mistake of offering them some biscuit. Before I knew it they had surrounded me and begun to attack. I took off running to get away as one flew straight at my head. I escaped unharmed, but the greedy blighters did follow us for a bit.
Now in sunlight, we took another gander at the opera house and the harbor. Chris got pictures aplenty and I managed a few before the camera died again (turned out the switch kept getting set to “on” in my pocket.) I got some good video as well despite the thousands of Japs everywhere. Next we made to the famous bridge and crossed over to the North side. I had had thoughts of taking one of the bridge walking tours that leads people all the way to the crest of the bridge's arch, but I soon changed my tune when I realized I was barely going to make it across the regular level without peeing myself. The bridge is quite tall, that’s all I’m saying. Mom, you wouldn’t have even been able to look at it.
On the North side we strolled through a nice neighborhood and happened upon a secluded little beach with two park benches that looked out over one of the many smaller bays nestled off of the main harbor. After a rest, we headed back across the bridge to check out Darling Harbor and Cockle Bay. Of the whole place, these areas were the most tourist-oriented with a wildlife park and aquarium, boat tours, overpriced restaurants, and a food court and McDonald's. We did manage to get into the National Maritime Museum (again, free) and I was impressed with the exhibits which included a whole section on US/Aussie relations at sea (apparently a centennial gift from us.) It was probably the best museum we had come across. They also had docked out back a replica of James Cook’s Endeavor, but it cost money to go aboard and the light was failing. Plus we were starving.
After the museum we started our trek back, stopping first at a restaurant called the Orient Hotel where we enjoyed pies and mash. Mine was Kangaroo pie (roo is a delicious, noticeably gamey meat) but Chris stuck to what he knew with good ole Aussie beef. By the time we got back our legs were worn out and sleep was fast upon us.
The next morning we started out by foot in the opposite direction towards the coast. We saw plenty more of Sydney (and would end up seeing more then we bargained for on the way back) and without a map and only limited knowledge of the way we were going, we ended up right at Bondi beach. The beach, and the whole coast for that matter, was stunning. It was one of Sydney’s warmest days in a while apparently, so even though it is their fall/winter, plenty of people were on the sand or surfing the swells. I stepped into the water, but it was like ice…crystal clear, blue tinted ice. The beaches (three biggies in a stretch up against each other) are surrounded by cliffs that stretch off down the New South Whales coast. Staring out at the vast Pacific we even caught sight of a pod of dolphins fishing not far from the beach. It was an amazing place to be.
On the way back we missed one of the many little roads we had come down on and ended up in the rich part of Sydney where all of the mansions line the river near the coast. It was here we passed the Malaysian Consul. By the time we made it back it was time for a serious nap, then dinner at Roy’s Famous (though I don’t know if Roy can back up his claim, but at least the steak was good.)
Today, as I write, we have checked out of the hotel and are bound for Adelaide just as storm clouds have rolled in.
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