Sydney Trip With The Girls

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Sunday morning Ron and I flew to Sydney, Ariana and Sara were already at the airport as their flight from sunny Queensland had arrived half an hour earlier. The four of us travelled by train into the city where we checked in to the Menzies a lovely older style hotel.


We headed out to Darling Harbour to catch-up with Ron’s sister Caroline, brother-in-law Peter and their friends. The group of 7 were all sailing that afternoon on the Dawn Princess to the South Pacific. We managed to have a few toasts before we saw them board early afternoon.


We travelled by ferry to Circular Quay to wave them off as they sailed past the Opera House. The four of us then headed back for a swim and spa before getting ready for dinner. We had dinner at the Lowenbrau Keller, a Bavarian restaurant in the Rocks. Everyone agreed the meals were delicious, we followed up with a drink and dance at the lively Orient Pub.


Monday morning saw us start the day with a excellent buffet breakfast before moving to an apartment at the Grand Mercure on Darling Harbour. After checking in we caught a ferry to Watsons Bay for a traditional fish and chip lunch. Lovely to sit outside but the weather was a little cold for Sydney. Lauren and Simon had arrived and were waiting at the apartment when returned. We all went to the pool and spa on the top floor which has fantastic views over Darling Harbour.


That evening we decided to split in to two groups and race to the Rocks for dinner, Ariana, Sara and Alex took the ferry, Ron, Lauren and Simon took the monorail. Both teams put up a valiant effort but sadly the girls team were beaten to the pub, they believe because they had to wait for 20 minutes for the ferry to arrive. After the meal the teams decide to race to the Star City Casino, the girls were thrilled to be able to send a photo of the cocktails they had while waiting for the other team to arrive.


Simon could not believe his luck when he placed his first bet on the roulette table and doubled his stake, he smartly decide to pocket his winnings and not take another chance. I played the pokies for the first time, only allowing myself a $2 bet, and I ended up with $6, I decided to split the winnings with everyone so they could have a try and low and behold Simon put in a $1 and won $20. Ron suggested from now on we should call Simon tinny.


Tuesday Ariana and Sara went shopping while Ron, Lauren, Simon and I climbed the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. The climb had been organised by Ron for Lauren's birthday as we will be traveling overseas when Lauren celebrates her 18th. The bridge climb took around 4 hours as everyone had to kit up and under go some instructional training before starting the climb.


Simon led the way followed by Lauren, Ron and lastly myself. It was pretty cold and windy on the bridge but the views were fantastic. We were lucky enough to see a container ship enter the harbour while we were on one side of the bridge, when descending the other side the ship passed under the bridge, quite a sight to behold.


Ron and I went back to the apartment to see Ariana and Sara off as they were heading back to Queensland. That night the four of us that were left had a lovely dinner at Darling Harbour.

On Wednesday at Simon's suggestion we visited the Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. We spent a few hours touring a Navy warship, a submarine, an old sailing ship, climbed a lighthouse and had a delicious lunch at a restaurant on the waters edge. We left that afternoon catch the ferry for the last time around to Circular Quay and then train to the airport.

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Photos

Sailing Past Dawn Princess
On the way to Circular Quay

The Cruise Ship
Caroline, Peter and gang sail by.

Lowenbrau Kellar
Ariana, Ron and Sara enjoy a hearty Bavarian meal

Sydney Bridge Climb
Simon, Lauren, Ron and Alex

Comments

[ariana]

hey wow the blog looks soo good great pics :)