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Published: February 21st 2007
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Our first view of the icons
Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge from Mrs Macquaries Chair/Point We flew with Virgin Blue from Brisbane to Sydney (as we arrived at the airport early they changed us to an earlier flight, which worked out well for us). Another lost hour later (Queensland is 10 hours ahead of UK wintertime, New South Wales and Victoria are 11 hours ahead), we arrived in Sydney to find it had been pouring with rain the past few days. This had stirred up a political storm here, as they have huge water shortage problems (you think we've got it bad!?), yet all this water went straight down the drains!!. However, purely thinking of our own need for sun and more sun, this time our luck was in - the weather was clearing up for a hot spell. We'd initially only stay here 2 nights, before then taking in 2 nights up in the cooler Blue Mountains, then a further 4 in Sydney city centre and 2 in Bondi for some lazing on the beach and then 1 final night before flying to Melbourne (in other words, don't think this is the last of my Opera House and Harbour Bridge photos, of which I already have quite a collection!).
After a mad panic trying
Circular Quay, the CBD and The Rocks
From my Harbour Bridge pylon vantage point to book accommodation the night before landing in Sydney and finding everywhere was booked (for double rooms, at least) our 63rd(!) choice of accommodation was the Roslyn Garden apartments at $95 a night for a studio, which were located near to Kings Cross. I guess after our great find in Noosa we hoped for more of the same in Sydney. They were a bit dated but functional (had a kitchen, which allowed us to make a few meals in and save some money). We hadn't realised when we booked the apartments that they were in the Kings Cross area (as it had the posher Elizabeth Bay as their address). So we were initially a little disappointed, as we had been warned to stay clear of dodgy Kings Cross by a few people. However, the apartments were not in the seedy area that we had feared but were close to what appeared to be an up and coming trendy part of Kings Cross (Victoria St), which had lots of nice restaurants and trendy bars.
The following day we walked from our apartment into the city via Oxford St to Hyde Park (which is very small and not quite the Hyde
Park most of us know!). We then walked through the huge Botanic Gardens to a view point at Macquaries Point. From here the view we'd been waiting for slowly appeared through the trees...we got our first amazing sight of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. I had to pinch myself. We've all seen it on TV, films or in photos (and you'll see plenty more - I've taken loads!), but seeing it for real truly is a beautiful sight and is the realisation of the fact you are in Sydney/Australia. After sneakily joining a tour that was giving a history of all the surrounding landmarks, we walked across to the Opera House and round Circular Quay to The Rocks (although in truth my focus rarely moved from getting another fix of seeing the two iconic structures). We managed to find a restaurant slightly off the beaten track and that was better value than some of the over priced offerings elsewhere in The Rocks : a nice courtyard at Jolly Swagman, it was very good value.
Instead of paying the $150'ish to climb Sydney Habour Bridge, we discovered that you could climb up the south east Pylon for $9. So
Opera House
View from the Harbour Bridge Pylon I went off to climb it, leaving Sally and her vertigo to investigate The Rocks more. The views were fantastic from the top of the Pylon - the only thing to gain from doing the bridge climb would be the challenge of the climb itself, which of course it didn't provide the same thrill as. But if you are on a budget like us, the pylon is defintely worth the $9. There's also a Museum half way up the pylon (before you pay the $9 to go the whole way up) on the history of the bridge, how long it took to build, how many people died building it etc. All very interesting stuff and free. Sally had already proudly pointed out that the steel came from Middlesbrough, England!!
The Rocks has some rather nice small boutiquey shops...and this is where I made the error of leaving Sally for an hour. I came back to find she'd seen a nice dress. She took me back to show me (to 'get my opinion' you understand) and the shop assistant instantly recognised her...reckon she had been loitering with intent the whole hour I'd been up the bridge. However, it is very
The Rocks
Harbour Bridge with the pylon I climbed in the background nice and I'm assured a bit different to the fashion back home. It made a nice Valentines present from me apparently - yes, you all know the kind of tools at a woman's disposal for getting their own way. Anyway, Sally is now banned from entering anymore clothes shops and spending my Bridge Climb money!!!! I swiftly reminded her we no longer have an income!
So with me keeping the wallet under lock, we wandered back round to Circular Quay only to bump into Megan who we'd cruised the Whitsundays with. We found a nice cafe that had fantastic views, so caught up on travel stories under the gaze of the Harbour Bridge. As well as the Wetsunday's cruise and trapped in Airlie Beach experiences many of us had, poor Megan had to spend the night in a car park when their Greyhound broke down. (Megan it was great to see you again. Thanks for warning us about Maze Backpackers, it's just as horrendous as you described but we couldn't find any other accommodation that was available).
Later that evening, we found a tapas bar in Victoria St. (it wasn't as good as the tapas bars back home.
On top of the Harbour Bridge
Well, the south-east Pylon at least. In fact Sally had to send the Pulpos/Octopus back as it was so chewy, so we wouldn't recommend it). Next morning, we set off on our adventure to the Blue Mountains (blog:
The Blue Mountains). But never fear, we'd be back in a couple of days to Sydney, so tons more photos will follow!!
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