Just trying to decide whether to pop down to the hotel bar for a drink when there was a flash outside .... Fireworks on the harbour. First a few went off in front of the Opera House where there is a big outdoor concert going on, then a 10 or 15 minute display a little way out from a boat on the water. Gorgeous and what a surprise especially after we'd decided the weather was too bad to stay round in Cockle Bay where we knew there would be fireworks at 8.45. Als...

My breath is completely taken away. I can't believe I am here in Sydney. I'm writing this in our hotel room on the 29th floor of the Intercontinental. Our view is of both the harbour bridge and the Opera House, panoramic. Think we got an upgrade! Arrived at hotel at 8am after a decent flight from Singapore. Didn't expect our room to be ready at that time. Had coffee at the hotel then wandered out down to Circular Quay which is 2 mins walk away and is where the f...