Australia, Sydney
Posted by:
Brian
- April 21, 2012
It's Sunday again, and time to go home. We rose early (Australian time) to board our taxi at 6:30 am, and found another heavy fog over the city. The drive sped us out to the airport in no time at all leaving us with two hours to fill. There was a bit of disruption due to the fog, with a number of delayed flights due to delayed aircraft arrivals, but fortunately our flight left only slightly late at about 9:45 am.
We landed in Wellington just before 3 pm, to a nice sunny afternoon. It's great having those direct flights to and from Wellington.
Australia, Sydney
Posted by:
Brian
- April 21, 2012
This morning was foggy but dry. The news reported shootings in Kings Cross overnight. Sue and I walked south into Chinatown for some new territory, and a coffee. We lunched in our room on bread and leftover chicken, then headed off to Town Hall Station. Rode the doubledecker train to Milsons Point on the North Shore. The day had cleared considerably by this time. We had great views as we walked back over the eastern pathway of the bridge. Stopped to check out the view from the pylon (tower) - $11 each - which included a bit of the history of the bridge, and a video presentation.
Continued in the the S end and descended into the Rocks area and on to Circular Quay, looking for the free 555 bus stop. That bus took us right down to the main railway station, then back up George St to our home turf.
Planning to go out tonight to check out a Malayysian place we saw. The regulay Sat night fireworks should go off about 8 pm.
Tomorrow we must depart at about 6:30 am for the airport (ouch).
Australia, Sydney
Posted by:
Brian
- April 20, 2012
Today is Sue's work day, a conference for regulators at the Hilton. James, Lisa and I get to go to performance at the OH instead, at 11 am. We set off about 10:45 and caught the train to Circular Quay, just for a small adventure. Double deckers are a novelty for us! The train emerged from underground into the bright sunshine of CQ, with the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and the ferries laid out before us. Spectacular! Five minutes walk took us out to the OH on the point, where it became clear that the average attendee was going to be about 75 years old, and somewhat better dressed than the tourists from Thorndon. However we chilled and blended.
Australia, Sydney
Posted by:
Brian
- April 19, 2012
Up Sydney Tower, complete with 4D experience, where we took lots of photos. Then on to the Sydney Wildlife Centre, which exceeded our expectations. It was raining when we came put, so we stopped beside Darling Harbour for a coffee and a little dessert before walking home using what shelter we could find to minimise how wet we got.
A quick visit to Woolworths scored a not chicken, some salad and couscous for dinner.
Australia, Sydney
Posted by:
Brian
- April 17, 2012
Today we took on the rain to visit the aquarium, in Darling Harbour. Bought triple-pass tickets to the aquarium, the Wildlife Centre, and the Sydney Tower. Got a bit wet on the way home.
Australia, Sydney
Posted by:
Brian
- April 15, 2012
We started our holiday with the free walking tour. The guide waits outside the Town Hall each day at 10:30 to see who will turn up. The tour is "free" but he really hopes you'll give him a generous tip, because that's how he earns his living. We started at the Town Hall and the adjacent St Andrews Cathedral (which faces the wrong way), then he led us into the Queen Victoria Building ("QVB"), through the underground shopping areas to Pitt Street, out to the famous fountain in Hyde Park, past the "Rum Hospital", Australia Square (it's round), Circular Quay, and into the Rocks. We went under the Harbour Bridge approaches into the quieter streets on the west side, then back along George Street to finish at the little lookout tower overlooking Sydney Cove. The view from there gives you the Harbour Bridge on your left, the Opera House across the water in front of you, and Circular Quay and the city on your right.
