Sydney

Well finally made it here. Flight not so bad, despite all the stressing! Think I'm getting better with long journeys, managed to snooze most of way but did put on my sexy DVT stockings and did get up a few times you'll be glad to know!!!

Got a bit of a telling off from immigration for not declaring my chocolate stash but they just gave me a ticking off and no fine thank god. Checked into my YHA which was a pleasant surprise. Resorted my bags and packed them all away in my locker like a good tidy girl, however then realised that my combi padlock wasn't working (either that or a managed to set the wrong code-i told myself the former!). Felt like a muppet asking for boltcutters at desk but man reassured me that happens all the time!

Managed to bring the rain with me from Scotland, however still got a burnt neck on my first morning when I walked down to Circular Quay through the Botanics to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Lots of funny looking birds in the Botanics-see piccies-anybody any ideas? Decided to be cultured and see an opera on Friday night in place of the bridge walk. Bargain price of $65 for quite a good seat for A Masked Ball, by Verdi. Could see all the translation (do they normally have that at operas?) although kept dozing off as was so dark with lights off-reminiscent of uni lectures! Think the people next to me were laughing at me-either that or despairing! Was very good though and managed to follow the story and now I can say I've been to an opera in Sydney Opera House!

Friday took a trip to Bondi, although not quite the same with the storm clouds rolling in! Went on a harbour cruise to get some good piccies of the opera house and took a walk over the harbour bridge and weather was much better.

Saturday was mardi gras-hence no beds in Sydney and organised Kimbo had only booked for first 2 nights. Managed to get a bed in Manly which is a ferry ride away and was going to visit anyway. Manly is very nice-more chille dthan Sydney which is busy busy all the time. Went back for the parade, was good and lots half naked men with nice bods but omg the squash! Lucky I have sharp elbows! See the videos, although these are quite tame compared to some!

Sunday did a nice 10k coastal walk in manly in the sun-finally-before heading back to Sydney to catch overnight Greyhound bus to Byron Bay.

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