Between Christmas and New Year we ventured to Sydney. It's a mere 7 1/2 hour flight from Singapore. December in Sydney is like June in the US, nice warm, dry days and cool nights. A fine escape from the Singapore winter (hot, wet and sticky). What better way to fly down under then on Qantas Airlines. I must admit their Premium Economy section wasn't half bad.
We stayed at the Sheraton Four Points on Darling Harbor. Not the best hotel I've ever stayed at but I'm pretty spoiled these past few years when it comes to hotels. The price was right as we used points for the stay.
We did have a sweet view of Darling Harbor, the Aquarium and the Maritime Museum.
Ok, my uploading is not great. Jump to Sophia standing on the waterfront at Circular Quay with the famous Opera House in the background. It looks a little tired close up as it was built in the 60s but it is still one of the well known symbols of Sydney.
It was cloudy that day and the Opera House looked a little bit beige.
From the end of Circular Key you can see across to Luna Park, an amusement park and another big chunk of the city.
Back near the hotel crossing the Darling Harbor Bridge.
Yep, you do need to pose now!
What would a trip down under be without seeing a guy playing a didgeridoo? This guy even let tourists sit in n his gig, for a small donation.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didgeridoo
The famous (as far as you know) pig statue in front of the hospital. Rubbing his nose brings good luck they say.
The famous statue of this guy on his horse.
And this old clock tower had tremendous historical significance, I think.
On the waterfront with the Harbor Bridge in the background. As you see later I got to see the bridge up close.
At night the old Opera House does look pretty impressive.
Sophia poses in the Rocks neighborhood, site of the original settlement in Sydney. http://www.therocks.com/
All spiffed up for dinner at Cafe Sydney. The restaurant is on the top floor while the Sydney Public Library is on the first floors. http://www.cafesydney.com/
Wandering around the Surrey Hills area. Kind of reminded us of Washington, DC a bit. Lots nice streets, townhouses and little shops and restaurants.
Dining on the sidewalk at Fish Face. The best meal we had. http://www.fishface.com.au/ There was also a very cool little pub nearby where we had a glass of wine before dinner. The pubs (most are called hotels for some reason I really don't know) reminded me a lot of the bars in Milwaukee. Small, friendly and people start drinking about 9AM.
Great seafood and very fancy and tasty fish and chips. We also had sushi and some other very fresh and well prepared fish dishes.
There is very old and established Jewish community in Sydney and we walked past the old Synagogue.
There were dozens of these birds in the park. I think they may be Ibis but I'm not sure. They sure have long beaks. There were also the most amazing huge bats that came out every night near the parks and the Harbor Bridge. They were definitely the size of hawks or owls. I have to say they were extremely creepy.
So nice to be in a country where breakfast is breakfast. No noodles, fish ball soups, brionis - just eggs, bacon, pancakes and stuff. The Book Kitchen was one of the best. http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/book_kitchen_the/ So nice we ate there twice.
Walking from the hotel to the bus for the beach was a pleasant experience as Sydney has many nice vistas.
In front of a very cool 60s fountain. Looked like a dandelion.
This sign truly illustrates how far away Australia is from most of the world.
Early evening. Lots of people out and about.
Ready for my climb the next morning.
Bondi Beach. Famous and very crowded surfers paradise only about 20 minutes from downtown.
Looks like California.
Looking for topless girls. I think I found one!
Dressed in a We Are Devo suit I went on the "must do" Harbor Bridge climb. It cost an arm and a leg but it was really fun and unique. http://www.bridgeclimb.com/
The money shot!
The last night we went on the Ferry. A lovely way to wrap up a nice little trip.
The bridge was all decked out for the New Years fireworks extravaganza, which we missed...
The famous (as far as you know) pig statue in front of the hospital. Rubbing his nose brings good luck they say.
The famous statue of this guy on his horse.
And this old clock tower had tremendous historical significance, I think.
On the waterfront with the Harbor Bridge in the background. As you see later I got to see the bridge up close.
At night the old Opera House does look pretty impressive.
Sophia poses in the Rocks neighborhood, site of the original settlement in Sydney. http://www.therocks.com/
All spiffed up for dinner at Cafe Sydney. The restaurant is on the top floor while the Sydney Public Library is on the first floors. http://www.cafesydney.com/
Wandering around the Surrey Hills area. Kind of reminded us of Washington, DC a bit. Lots nice streets, townhouses and little shops and restaurants.
Dining on the sidewalk at Fish Face. The best meal we had. http://www.fishface.com.au/ There was also a very cool little pub nearby where we had a glass of wine before dinner. The pubs (most are called hotels for some reason I really don't know) reminded me a lot of the bars in Milwaukee. Small, friendly and people start drinking about 9AM.
Great seafood and very fancy and tasty fish and chips. We also had sushi and some other very fresh and well prepared fish dishes.
There is very old and established Jewish community in Sydney and we walked past the old Synagogue.
There were dozens of these birds in the park. I think they may be Ibis but I'm not sure. They sure have long beaks. There were also the most amazing huge bats that came out every night near the parks and the Harbor Bridge. They were definitely the size of hawks or owls. I have to say they were extremely creepy.
So nice to be in a country where breakfast is breakfast. No noodles, fish ball soups, brionis - just eggs, bacon, pancakes and stuff. The Book Kitchen was one of the best. http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/book_kitchen_the/ So nice we ate there twice.
Walking from the hotel to the bus for the beach was a pleasant experience as Sydney has many nice vistas.
In front of a very cool 60s fountain. Looked like a dandelion.
This sign truly illustrates how far away Australia is from most of the world.
Early evening. Lots of people out and about.
Ready for my climb the next morning.
Bondi Beach. Famous and very crowded surfers paradise only about 20 minutes from downtown.
Looks like California.
Looking for topless girls. I think I found one!
Dressed in a We Are Devo suit I went on the "must do" Harbor Bridge climb. It cost an arm and a leg but it was really fun and unique. http://www.bridgeclimb.com/
The money shot!
The last night we went on the Ferry. A lovely way to wrap up a nice little trip.
The bridge was all decked out for the New Years fireworks extravaganza, which we missed...
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