Australia , Around Sydney

We spent our last couple of days in Australia seeing a few more of the sights.  We took the ferry over to Manly Beach and spent some time relaxing on the beach in the sun soaking up the rays while watching the surfers. There is quite an undertow her and the lifeguards are really on top of things about patrolling the beach and only allowing swimming at the far end where the water is calmer.  It was Anzec Day which is like our Remembrance Day so being a holiday it was particularly busy but was fun and entertaining.  The trip back and forth was very scenic with wonderful views of the city. One thing that surprised us is how hilly Sydney is and we certainly have got a workout in with all our walking which we have need with all our over indulgent eating and drinking.  After dinner we went to the bar at the Opera House and with wonderful views of the lit up bridge sat and enjoyed our cocktails.

Our last day in Sydney we started out by climbing up the pilons of the bridge.  An excellent alternative to the bridge climb as you can take your camera and the views are stunning.  As you climb up the inside of  the pilon the history of the building of the bridge is explained which is very interesting.  Once you reach the top one can walk all around and get 360degree views of the city.  Stunning.  We then strolled through the market at the rocks before heading over to Darling Harbour.  On the way we stopped at the historic Queen Victoria Building which has been turned into a high end mall and is well worth a look at even if you are not shopping.  Lunch at Hunter Barrel on Darling Harbour was fantastic with absolutely wonderful kangaroo.  We even stopped at the casino before heading back to pack.  Dinner out at Pony in the Rocks was the perfect way to end our stay in Australia. Tomorrow morning we start our long flight home but we are taking home many memories of wonderful places that we have been to and so many interesting and incredible people that we have met and shared time with.  As Eric sometimes says for a couple of kids from Belmont we are so blessed.

Entrance to Sydney Harbour missed by Captain Cook when he discovered Australia 

Double ended ferry to Manly Beach 

Manly Beach 

Wide expanse in both directions 

City from the ferry

Bridge view at night

Enjoying a cocktail in the Opera House lounge 

Opera House lounge 

Bridge views from top of the pilons

You can see the stairs where the bridge climb takes place

Circular quay from the pilons 

Looking towards Darling Harbour 

Realizing what a large harbour Sydney Harbour is

Leading on to the bridge 

A picture of the day the bridge opened 

Inside the Queen Victoria shopping mall

Eric enjoying a fantastic kangaroo lunch 

I of course had a wonderful wine to accompany the wonderful kangaroo 

Australia, Zoo and Wine

While in Sydney we went to Taronga zoo which is rated as one of the best in the world.  We went over by ferry and then took the cable car up to the top to start our exploration.  We really enjoyed the Australian exhitits but on the whole in our opinion  the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Wildlife Park are far superior.  Having said that the Australian outback exhibit where you walked through with emus, koalas, and kangaroos with no fences or anything was really cool and we spent quite a long time in there.  Some of the bird exhibits were also great and I must say the three baby tigers were enough to grab a bit of the coldest of hearts.  After a few hours at the zoo we took the ferry back and then walked across the Sydney bridge.  Once again great views though I do think we have more than enough pictures of the Opera House.

The next day we did our last but not least tour.  We were picked up at 7am in a van for a chef led tour of the Hunter Valley.  First stop was the Sydney fish market which is the third biggest in the world and for a seafood lover like myself was paradise.  Every type of seafood imaginable was available and I was tempted to have a dozen oysters but it was a bit early and I knew they were coming.  We then set off for a wonderful breakfast on the Hawksworth River before starting our wine tasting in the Hunter Valley. At the last two wineries our slash guide chef pared food with the wines that was incredible.  We had everything from oysters to scallops to truffled asparagus to kangaroo with wonderful wines. Incredible day. And to top it off we met a wonderful young couple,Nick and Christina, from Florida that after the tour we went and had drinks and oysters with.  The joys of travel and a couple we truly hope to meet up with again.

Entrance to the zoo with the cable car off to the left 

OK he is in the zoo but he is very cute

Komodo dragon. Do not want to cross paths with him 

These have to be the laziest animals I have come across 

These emus were blocking our path

Wallaby giving us the evil eye

Kangaroo up close and personal 

Really quite a lovely creature k

When you have an itch you have to scratch 

Very colourful birdsongs

This is a tree kangaroo which we had never heard of

We thought he looked a bit like a koala o

Two three month old tiger cubs playing 

There truly is beauty in that face

Another animal we had never heard of.  This is a fisher cat and it has webbed feet. Not a cat person but this is quite beautiful.

The front of the Opera House from the water 

Walking across the bridge 

Long expanse but great experience 

Self explanatory 

Pelican waiting for its next meal

Baby octopus. Yum

Mud crab

Now that is a collection of seafood 

This fellow shucks oysters all day long

I don’t think there is a seafood they didn’t have

Those eyes seemed to be looking at you

Beautiful rock formations on the Hawksworth River

Early morning fishing with the fog in the background 

Climbing the rocks to breakfast 

Jimmy making breakfast at one of the park BBQs

Unique wine rack 

Eric does like a good vineyard 

Beautiful views of the vineyard and hills beyond 

What better place to be

Can almost taste what is coming 

A kangaroo slider. Won’t get this at home


An Australian version of crime brûlée. Tasted way better. Maybe it was the wine or the setting?

Hate to leave our last winery 

Eric and I continued the evening with Nick and Christina with oysters and wine. What a great day!