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Published: July 11th 2006
Sydney Opera House
Its smaller than you expect!Having bade Anne, my helpful Quantas stewardess (possibly the best stewardess in the world) farewell I cleared customs quickly and easily, and jumped on a Train to the city centre. I arrived at my hostel "wake up!" and checked in, dumping my bag in the dorm where a number of comatose bodies lay.
I immediately headed of to have a walk around the city. I started off walking along Darling Harbour and then inland a little. As I did this I noticed the sky turn a forboding colour of grey, and then as I feared they would the heavens opened. At least this time unlike in Japan the rain was warm, but it was also very heavy, and suprisingly wet. I ducked into a cafe for shelter, but the $5.50 for a bacon and egg sandwich and a coffee was too much to resist so I was able to stay sheltered for a little longer.
I walked up to the Rocks, a part of the City restored to its historical glory, and looked around the Rocks Museum of Contemporary art, before emerging through a row of painted teddy bears on the side of Circular Quay, with a view over
Teddy Bears
All in the name of art, there are loads of huge bears lined up along Circular Quay - one for each country of the world to the famous opera house. Thankfully the sun was by this time starting to burn through the clouds and the views were terrific. I walked up and over the harbour bridge (which is apparantly always being painted - as a single paint over takes 10 years!) to Kirribilli. I got the train back into the city, then walked around to the opera house. Sydney Opera house is far smaller, and infact grubbier than it appears in photos but this does not stop it from being a really interesting building. After the opera house I walked throught the Botanical Gardens with their wide range of tropical plants, and the unexcpected feature of a colony of huge fruitbats that appeared to be about as big as small rabbits!
From here I took in Mrs Macquires Chair, a great viewpoint over Sydney Harbour once you have managed to circle round the hordes of Japanese Tourists. Finally I headed back to the hostel along Macquire Street and through the imaginatively named Hyde park.
Back at the hostel I ended up in the bar getting to know a few of the other people about to "do" Australia. All of them about 20, all
Sydney Harbour Bridge
"The old coat hanger" of them wanted to come to Australia because its hot and because they speak English. It was a good night, with a live band playing some great numbers, and the beer was reassuringly cheap after Japan. It was however perhaps a little too freely flowing!
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Annie
non-member comment
Food
At last. A place where I know something about the local cuisine. Just thow another shrimp on the barbie and have a great time!