Sydney Hotels
|
  | |  |
And another week on.....
Entry 2 of 6 | show all | print this entry |
Hello all,
Second posting - got to a point in our trip where we have some spare time. Have been on some superb tours, and the Sysdney Mardi Gras was last night. More follows.......
Monday 25 February 2008 - 18:26
Location: Mercure Harbourside Hotel, Cairnes
Went on a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef - weather was somewhat overcast but it was warm. Stopped off at Green Island to pick up more people - was a lovely smooth sail. We then set sail for the Great Barrier Reef - started calm and then the seas started to 'roll' - and we were sailing straight into them - it was like being on a very bumpy Rollercoaster - stomach felt a bit queasy (and the seas started just after we has finished a cake that was offered for the journey....). Then it started to rain - heavily. When we got to the pontoon (well decked out, plenty of cover from the sun [not much around still] and had a bar and food) we were not in the mood to eat! By this time the rain had stopped and the sun came out - this is the time that we went on the semi-submersible craft - the colours were not as vivid as expected but it was a great experience seeing the peculiar sea floor and so many fish (it was like a curtain of them as one point). All in all - a great experience!
Tuesday 26 February 2008 - 17:57
Location: Mercure Harbourside Hotel, Cairnes
Monday 25 February - evening. So we decided to get the shuttle bus to Cairnes Town Centre for a meal at 19:00 - pleasant evening - nice and warm. Wandered around and found an excellent Chinese restaurant for a meal. As we looked out of the window, there was a cascade of water outside - it had started to rain - and boy did it rain! 100mm worth of rain in a few hours.... We got absolutely soaked as we didn't take our brollies - what did we expect being here in the riany season......
Tuesday 26 February - a fabulous day - went up the mounain to Kuranda on the railway - magnificent views - and we managed it in the sunshine. Kuranda is a lovely place - they have some lovely shops. Went back down using the Skyrail cableway - stopped off to 'experience the rainforest' - the weather obligued by absolutely throwing it down with rain - definitely wasn't staged...... Finished off by visiting the Tjapukai Aboriginal Culture Centre where I tried (and failed) to throw a boomerang....
Now to get something to eat - and we will be taking our umbrellas......
Wednesday 27 February 2008 - 21:53
Location: Metro Hotel on Pitt, Sydney
Relaxed day moving from Cairns to Sydney - arrived at the hotel about 18:00 - hotel right in the centre of Sydney - plenty of shops and restaurants at the door step. Had a walk about - just a coupe of blocks from Darling Harbour - all looks very interesting. Noticed black clouds starting to arrive and made our way back to the hotel - decided to have sme beers and a meal there. Watched those that got caught in the rain getting wet...... Tomorrow will be a busy day so gong for an early night...
Thursday 28 February 2008 - 18:17
Location: Metro Hotel on Pitt, Sydney
Our luck with the weather ran out on us this afternoon. The day started well with the City Tour - marvellous views of the Sydney skyline including the Sydmey Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The harbour is huge with many inlets offering lovely beaches. The house prices here are typically AUS$10M (£5M)! The Captain Cooke Cruise around the harbour was superb - the food was lovely and fortunately we were inside - the rain started with a vengeance. The tour in the afternoon gave relentless heavy rain - yuk! But at least we had our umbrellas.........
Friday 29 February 2008 - 21:59
Location: Metro Hotel on Pitt, Sydney
Great - the weather is with us again. Mostly sunny although slightly cool (top temperature 20 degrees celsius). Had a very varied day again today. Stopped off at the Featherdale Wildlife Park - all animals there are being nursed back to health before being let out into the wild... Saw up close Koalas and Kangaroos and saw a crocodile snatch food from the keeper - very scary! Then went to the stunning Blue Mountains - described as the Grand Canyon with trees. Rode the steepest railway (and it was incredibally steep) and saw some lovely views of the mountains. Stopped off at a typical village on the way back - lots of shops with antiques and bric-a-brac - so British..... and one shop that was a teapot museum - must have been at least 200 teapots on shelves - the tables were packed with old china - we were sure that some of the china used by our parents were there!
Spent the evening drinking at Darling Harbour - all very civilised......
Saturday 1 March 2008 - 17:48
Location: Metro Hotel on Pitt, Sydney
Our free day today - the weather is pure blue sky but with a cold wind (struggling to get up to 20 degrees celsius). A late breakfast for a change before going to the market (Paddy's Market) - lots of good stuff - bought a new pair of reading glasses (managed to break 2 of mine in a week!) and a sweater. Then went to the Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour for a drink. It was starting to get busy because the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is in Sydney tonight (starting just a block away from our hotel) - of course we are going to have a look...... Went to Hyde Park (where the Mardi Gras procession is to start) and saw some wonderful outfits - sometimes is difficult to tell the 'man girls' until they speak. Any case must now get into my outfit darling (only joking!)
Sunday 2 March 2008 - 07:37
Location: Metro Hotel on Pitt, Sydney
Saturday 1 March - evening. The Mardi Gras was great fun. There were somany people there to watch it - must have ben about 30 'rows' of people wherewe were standing - but we were on a slight incline so had a good view. The prelude of the event were hundreds of bikers dressed up in all sorts of bizarre costumes and forming a parade along the road. Then the main event - the floats. Some of these were excellent - superb lights, sounds and costumes. The best thing however was the atmosphere - it was electric - incredibly noisy.....
Regards,
Lionel and Sue.
Latest Comments (1)
|
Hello (reply)
Mar 3, 2008 06:53 EST by marell
Hi Mum and Dad,
Glad you're having a good time, all is good here.
The photos are really good, I especially liked the ones with the snake and the kangeroo!
We'll have to try that skype thing at some point when you have some time and internet access.
Lots of love,
Mark.
|
 Post a new comment |
|
If you like this entry, search for other entries from Australia or try a new search. |
| |
Back to Entry - Back to Home
|
