Sydney Diary

 

Saturday 26th July 2008

We have arrived in Sydney

We arrived in Sydney at about 11.30am local time. The flight was delayed about 45 minutes in Beijing but we arrived in Sydney on time which was good. It was a long 12 hour flight but we all slept fairly well. We arrived in Sydney to clear blue skies and 15 degrees. The locals have been telling us they hate the winter as it is so cold - we thought the fresh air was great after China!!!

We took a taxi to the hotel - we are on the 28th floor - and this is the view I have as I sit typing this.

We were all quite tired so we just went for a walk arond the loal area - Circlar Quay and The Rocks - we went to the bridge and walked under it - took lots of photos saw lots of street performers - enjoyed the fact that we blend into the background more again - but also find it hard to believe we are so far away from home when it all seems so "ordinary". We ate in a restaurant overlookingthe bridge before having a nice early night (boys asleep by 6.30pm me by 7.30pm!!) - difference is it is now 8am and I am up looking at aother glorious days and the boys are still fast asleep!! Todays plans start with breakfast in Starbucks conveniently located outside the hotel - and then we have explorer tickets for a harbour boat company exploring around the harbour (including Shark Island!) Internet Access in the hotel is very expensive but is available in local restaurants etc free so we will download and check emails if we remember!!! Here are a few of yesterdays pictures

 

us and the Opera House Our hotel (smaller white building ith Marriott in red at top) The Opera House The Bridge Jack trying to undo a bolt at the base of the bridge!! The bridge at night (well 6pm!!) The Opera House at night

Sunday 27th July 2008

We have been on a boat trip!!

I will try and be brief today - and most of the pictues are of the Opera House and Bridge but it really does dominate Sydney harbour and the views!! We took a day explorer boat today and toured around the harbour (I think maybe the biggest harbour in the world and I have been told the second busiest harbour) The boat took us out past the Opera House, we went under the bridge. Our first stop was at Watson Bay where we could walk up and see out to sea at Gap Bluff - which was lovely. It was a gorgeous sunny morning - perfect weather!! The boys even built a few sandcastles! We took another turn of the harbour on the boat and then we stopped off at Shark Island which is one of a few islands in the harbour - that is a national park so you have to pay to land. We were the only people on the island while we were there - and the glorious day took a sudden turn! Sydney in the distance got very black and you could see rain - and then we could see lightning and hear the thunder - then the rain started! This island has a little hut - and some toilets - and nothing else!! It was a little scary as it got so dark that we couldn't even see if any boats were coming!! and we had about half an hour until the next boat was due!! We ended up sheltered in a derelict little building by the jetty - and then when the boat arrived - it sailed past!! After much frantic waving like something out of Treasure Island - the boat reversed up and rescued us - to cheers from the other passengers and we dripped all over the boat all the way back to Sydney!!! Interesting experience - but quite an adventure!

Sam with Opera House and bridge Looking out to sea at Gap Bluff - Watson Bay Jack building a sandcastle at Watson Bay with Brdge in background Claire & Boys on the boat The ride as we went under it Then the weather changed quite quickly!!! but we were still smiling!!!

 

Monday 28th July 2008

We went to the Opera House & Botanic Gardens - and got wet!!

It was a lovely sunny morning so after a lazy breakfast in Starbucks (again!) we wandered down Circular Quay and to the Opera House and walked all the way around and took a photo or two (or more like a few hundred!!!) it is a fantastic building but close up it betrays a bit of its 70's roots!! (Built in 1973 and it is covered in 1056000 white and cream tiles - I thought it was just white until we got close) Then we wandered up through the Royal Botanic Gardens - much to David and the boys disgust we saw more of the rather large spiders that are quite common here in Australia - they are really fat and about 4" across with hideous legs and massive webs!! It is amusing to watch them dodging any pathways with trees nearby and - funnily enough - they are more than happy for me to lead the way - just incase one has decided to terrorise the path!

Then we found a large group of cockatoos in the park - which were vey tame and Jack seemed to have adopted a few - sitting on shoulders eating out of hands (David even had one on his head!) Jack and Sam had a brilliant time - and didn't seem to notice that the weather had changed and that it was absolutely tipping with rain! Due to the rain we retired to the gardens cafe and had a late lunch and coffee - and then another coffee - but the cafe shut before the rain stopped so we made a mad dash back to the hotel - we made an interesting sight dripping in the lifts!! - and David took the boys swimming while I lazed in the bath!!! Tomorrow we are of the The Blue Mountains so again it may be a while before we update (I have discovered free wireless access sat in the window here - and even managed a nice Google chat with Helen earlier which was great!!!)

The Opera House The tiles an arty shot Sam and the sunshine! Claire & DAvid an alternative view Duck pond in the Botanic Gardens Jack was quite pleased!! both boys with birds!! Sam and a friend Then it rained! and we got wet!!

 

 

 

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Beijing, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Kangaroo Island, Ayers Rock , Daintree ,New Zealand,Fiji, Los Angeles