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Published: March 2nd 2008
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Sydney here we are!!
Forget the kareoke Tina's taking up Opera!! Tina) Well folks we have now done trains and boats and planes. Our first train journey took us from Melbourne overnight to Sydney, being ever so considerate to our children and not wanting to waste their inheritance we didn't book a sleeper, as it was nearly 300$ more expensive than a recliner. Anyway its only a nights sleep we missed out on, but it was a bit of an adventure and there was two ladies in their 70's opposite us too which was nice cos we had a good old chat with them, one of them had been here for years and her children and grandchildren are all here but you could tell she missed England terribly. When she was huddled in her chair reading her book she looked just like our dear old Auntie Lil, made us both a bit choked.
Arrrived in Sydney safe and sound, albeit tired, got a taxi to our hotel and after such a shit place in Melbourne was more than a little worried as we had had such a hard time booking anything here, what a pleasant surprise, it is in a nice location, very quiet at night, although the city is
Climb Every Mountain!
Or in this case Climb Every Bridge!! I DID IT! very easily accessable and the room was like the Ritz compared to the last place, so our spirits were lifted quite a bit.
We quickly unpacked and then went to get the bus to Circular Quay, no time to waste because this was about midday and Lynda had her bridge walk booked for 2.15. It was amazing to arrive there and for the first time see the bridge and the opera house, made me go a bit goosey, really is quite impressive although I thought the Opera House needs a lick of paint it is still an amazing building.
Whilst Lynda went on her bridge walk I walked up to the SOH and took some photos of the bridge walkers at the time she was due up there although she told me later that they were late so it wasn't her at all. Nice photos though.
Hi everybody Lynda here. wow and double wow, I love Sydney. If and when I'm rich I want a house right on the riverside near the harbour, it's wonderful, chilled out, a lovely vibe and everything you could want. A wee bit expensive but if I can ever afford a place
Feeding Time
Can you believe I've fed a kangaroo - this was a pinch time!! here I won't have to worry about expense!
My bridge walk was just amazing, I had to keep pinching myself (in fact I've had to that a lot here). It took at least 3 1/2 hours and I had to be breathalised!! Julie you'll be glad to know that the H&S is really top notch. I now it cost a lot of money but it really is a must do. They dress you in their own equipment and everything has to be tied on (even my sunglasses had to have their lanyard on and be secured. we weren't allowed to take anything with us so no photos (a scam because then you have to buy theirs and they're $20 - but you've gotta have a photo). There are 12 in every group and they leave every 10 minutes = I can't even begin to work out how much dosh they rake in each day!
Anyway the walk was out of this world, some of it quite scarey, at places really narrow. You pass by parts that are only about a yard away from passing cars and trains. Some parts the walk is quite easy slight incline and foot
Blue Mountains
I thought I was going to the blue ridge mountains in Virginia!! placements but in other parts you're walking on two planks of wood about 9in wide and climbing ladders that are almost vertical. All the while your guide (mine was called Fushia - absolutely beautiful about 23 years old) is giving you a running commentary about the bridge itself and the sights you can see. The feeling you get at the top is so good, you feel like you've really achieved something, exhilarated and like you're on top of the world. The sailing boats look like dinky toys.
You don't actually go from one side of the bridge to the other. You climb up the west side, accross the middle and then down the east side. Anyway Julie and Bim will know when I say I had another religious experience.
I didn't think things could get any better (and it'll take a lot to "top" it) but the next day I did a tour to the blue mountains. I was blown away at the beauty of the place. The reason they're called blue is because of the blue haze given off by the oil in the eucyliptus trees which covers most of the valley. Oh my God and another
Mardi Gras!
It takes all sorts! What a great party!! thing I forgot to mention I've only fed kangaroos and cuddled koalas!!
Also visited another rainforest (still amazing) which we visited by cable car on the way there and left by the steepest railway in the world, that was something else - even I was a bit scared!! My right knee against the back of the cart was the only thing holding me in!!
On the way back we visited the Olympic Village but really brief - but none the less really glad that I got to see it.
Last night we went to the Mardi Gras - Oh my God all the world (or Sydney) and their sisters were at the festival. In case you don't know it the 30th anniversary of the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. So you can imagine the scenes and they can party like the Irish!! Our hotel manager, Steve, went and pulled his new employee Damien, he's in a right quandry now because he doesn't know how to handle it. Damien starts work next week. Apparently he didn't see much of the Mardi Gras, we didn't like to ask what he was up too!! Watch this space Steve will keep us
Bondi Beach
The place to be! up to date.
What a wicked few days I've had here I love it and really want to come back. Bridge walk amazing, Blue mountains amazing, Bondi beach amazing, SYDNEY BLOODY AMAZING. Could say loads more but I'll have to wait and bore you all when I get back!! Gotta go. Love you all. xx
(Tina)Today is Sunday and our last day in Sydney unfortunately so we headed for the Quay again as we wanted to go to Bondi Beach and also planned to do a river cruise. Bondi Beach is amazing, I thought it would be so touristy but it wasn't just a really nice chilled place to be, if you lived here it would be a lovely Sunday haunt. There was a live band playing outside the pavillion and lots of people milling about, just a shame we were in such a rush and didn't have longer to enjoy it.
We then booked to go on a cocktail cruise around the harbour and made it with about 5 mins to spare, once on board Lynda had a pina colada and I had a strawberry daquiri, with some nibbles, how civilised is that, a really nice
Just Cruising!!
Cruising under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. end to a lovely afternoon.
As usual today we set ourselves too many tasks and there wasn't enough hours to do all we planned, which is why we are trying to get this done before the hotel pulls the plug on the internet. It was great to speak to you kids earlier and we have to say a big thank you for our Mothers Day flowers which arrived yesterday, had us booing. You really all are so lovely.
We stopped in Kings Cross on the way home tonight to get something to eat and visit the bottle shop (off licence to you) and about five mins before we arrived there had been a drive by shooting, there were hoards of Police it was really quite exciting, I made Lynda go and take a photo so we could put it on the blog for you all. Its the red light district there and a really nice place in the day but a wee bit seedy of a night, quite glad we were not staying there.
Hi Lynda again. We haven't got all the photos we thought we had because I've stupidly left my lead in Melbourne or mislaid
Drive By Shooting
Always first on the scene. The photographer was a bit crap!! it, so we're using Tina's and she hasn't got all the photos. We'll publish what we can and if I ever find it or buy a new one we'll publish the others. Sorry folks.
Before we go we'd really like to say we love you kids - thank you so much for our flowers they're lovely, but not as lovely as you.
Anyway bye bye from the lovely Sydney - T (Thelma) and L (Louise) are leaving tomorrow for their road trip to Brisbane (Brissy to us locals) see you on the way!!! Love you all keep blogging xxxx
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Frankie
non-member comment
A quick hello
Hello! Hope you are well. It sounds like your having such a brilliant time and I am really quite jealous. Being a saddo who also watches neighbours, please do update me on any story lines. It’s been great reading your blog and I have realized I really need to start saving to do a trip like your doing. (it could be difficult because I’ll have to cut back on going out) Carry on having a fab time. Lots of love Frankie