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Published: December 14th 2008
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To Sydney
We said our goodbyes to Mike and Helen around 10am and headed southbound to Sydney. Wollomolloo, one of the western suburbs was our drop off point for the van and was easy to find. However finding a car wash proved more difficult. As part of our rental agreement, we had to return the van cleaned inside and out, but by the time we reached Sydney we had only managed to do the inside. We acquired directions to 3 car washes and no-one would agree to wash our van because it was too tall! After an hour of driving around in circles we were tired and fed up so took our chances and returned the van unwashed. Luckily for us, the guy inspecting the vans was very laid back and English and did not seem to mind.
We eventually arrived at our hostel around 3.30pm and grabbed a late lunch. In the evening we caught a bus to Coogee Beach (which lies just south of Bondi Beach) and went along to Linda's barbeque where we met her flatmate and friends. Linda was a pro on the Barbie and cooked us a proper Aussie feast - a great welcome
The Blowhole
The blowhole which didn't blow! to Sydney.
The South Coast
Linda had offered to take us down the south coast for a day out, something most tourists do not see when they visit Sydney so we gladly accepted. Our drive took us past Botany Bay, Captain Cook's first landing point in Australia, named by Joseph Banks the naturalist on board his ship. We also passed Wollongong and arrived in Kiama a couple of hours later. We had a brief stop just north of Wollongong where we watched hang gliders and paragliders take to the air.
In Kiama we went to see the famous blowhole which sadly did not blow for us! Linda explained that it was a popular past-time for her and her family to come and see the blowhole and it could reach several metres high. We had to use our imagination!
We then had a picnic, game of Frisbee and an ice cream (compulsory as we were at the beach) and then set off in the direction of 'home'. The weather was quite cool and cloudy so sadly not ideal for a swim. On the way back we stopped for a drink at a pretty pub called The
Scarborough, perched on a cliff top overlooking the ocean just outside of Wollongong. Back at Coogee we enjoyed a $5 steak and decided it would be far cheaper to eat out at those prices!
Wet Wednesday
Wednesday was a wash out and so we took shelter in the Australian Museum. We visited several exhibits including one on skeletons, birds and insects, minerals, dinosaurs plus 'Surviving Australia' which looked at creatures that are now extinct or vulnerable.
That evening we caught a train to Narawee in the eastern suburbs where Linda's parents live. We had been invited to have a home-cooked meal with Linda and her family which was delicious. It was lovely to meet her parents and 2 younger sisters. We found we were all well travelled and so had lots to talk about.
Opera House and The Rocks
Thursday began with a 1 hour guided tour of the Opera House. On the tour we got to see inside and outside of the opera theatre and concert hall and were told the facts and figures regarding its construction. Our tour guide told us about the Danish architect, Jorn Utzon who came up with
the winning design in 1959. It took 14 years to complete at a cost of $102,000000! Utzon quit the project mid-way through and has never been back to see his masterpiece. However he is still involved with maintaining and updating it and works with his son, also an architect who makes regular visits.
After our tour we had a wander around the historic Rocks area, the site of the first settlement. It was full of cobbled streets and lined with boutique shops and cafes, thus was a good place to have lunch.
That night in keeping with the opera theme, we returned to Circular Quay and met Linda, Julie and Linda's older sister Jenny at the posh Opera Bar. A few expensive drinks later and we were ready for dinner and walked to a bar which served gourmet pizza.
Coastal Walk
On Friday we completed the 5km Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach Coastal Walk with Linda. Along the walk we got to admire the 'Sculptures by the Sea' display between Bondi Beach and Bronte Beach. It was fun interpreting each structure and deciding for ourselves whether we thought it was really 'art'. We walked around
Bondi Beach, past Hunter Park, Mackenzies Point and Mackenzies Bay, Tamarama Beach then onto Bronte Beach where we stopped and had lunch. It was a hot day, the temperature soared to 36 degrees so body surfing in the big waves crashing on Bronte Beach was welcomed.
Our walk then continued past Waverley Cemetery, Shark Point, Clovelly Bay and Gordons Bay then onto Coogee Beach. We all enjoyed an icy cold dip in the sea at Coogee. That evening we had drinks in Coogee then had a good meal at 'Thai me up' on the high street.
Our Bridge Climb
After a disgusting fry-up, we went for a look around the Art Gallery of New South Wales. We viewed Australian and European art from the 19th and 20th centuries plus modern Australian art.
In the afternoon we climbed the harbour bridge. Firstly we had to get gowned up in boiler suits and remove anything loose including tissues - we were only allowed to keep our sunglasses on. We then did a demonstration climb complete with harness to attach us to a steel cable running parallel to the bridge. After that we had to secure our sunglasses
to our head and were given handkerchiefs on an elastic wrist band plus headsets and radios to wear.
To reach the steel girder of the bridge we had to walk out along a platform about 20m off the ground and then up some vertical steps. This was the worst bit because you could see the ground beneath your feet which left me feeling a little shaky. Mike encouraged me to keep going and once I had reached the steel girder I felt fine - it was nice and wide and opaque. I then concentrated on enjoying the view.
We had photos taken on our ascent and also at the top. I did not enjoy walking across the top - it was a fairly narrow platform and was off-putting looking at all the traffic whizzing past below. On our descent we got to see 2 cruise ships - one docked in Circular Quay and the other on its way out of Darling Harbour. It was surreal hearing the sound of the ship's horn beneath us as we climbed down. It was fun to wave at the passengers on board, feeling very proud inside as we finished the climb.
Sunday Sights
In the morning we met Helen at the hostel. She had arranged to pick our large rucksack up and take it to Mike's home in Newcastle, our destination for the next few weeks. This was done so it left us with just a small bag each, necessary for our 'surprise' when we met them in Sydney the next day. The first port of call of the day was Darling Harbour where we had a coffee with Helen and her friend. We then walked over the Pyrmont Bridge and around the tranquil Chinese Gardens where we had lunch.
Later we popped into the harbour bridge pylon to learn about the history of the bridge. We learnt that is took almost 8 years to build between 1924 and 1932, cost $10,000000 and required 16,000 tonnes of steel plus 6,000000 rivets. Sixteen men lost their lives during its construction as there were no safety measures employed.
Late afternoon we wandered through The Rocks weekend market then walked from the Opera House to Mrs Macquarie's Chair. We returned to our hostel via the beautiful Botanic Gardens.
Sunday was not complete without a roast dinner with Linda. We
then played some pool to finish a memorable week.
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