Sydney 22nd to 25th Feb

3 full days in Sydney. We took a hop on hop off tour bus around the City on the first day, stopping off at the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and Bondi Beach. Decided not to go surfing as I didn't want to show up the locals with my skill and physique, but we did promenade along the front. Saw the Oriana in port for 2 days. Quite surreal to travel 1200 miles to see something we see regularly at home!

On the second day we took a trip out the Blue Mountains and saw some great scenery and interesting sights. What promised to be a sedate stroll in the hills turned into an unexpected thrill ride day. At Scenic world we went on two cable cars across canyons plus a near vertical funicular train ride back to the top and at great speed. There were lots of screams and the driver/guide confessed that he "forgot" to mention the details of the ride. The return journey to Sydney was by boat which gave us a different view of the city and of all the millionaire mansions along the Parramatta River. There is certainly money in Sydney.

The last day was spent walking through the parks, Botanical Garden, and the waterfront. We also walked through the old area of Sydney called The Rocks. This is where all of the convicts, drunks and sailors would have hung out but now it is gentrified with bustling bars, markets and pavement cafes.

http://photobucket.com/albums/w452/paulnharris1954/Paul and Jen on tour/Sydney