Shaunduvall's travel blogs:
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Back in Sydney!
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Saturday January 8th 2005
Go to the cliffs above Manly...possibly called Manly Heads, but I cant remember, and whilst windswept, see nice views of the entrance to Sydney Harbour (the harbour is very big - much more than the traditional view of Sydney) and views of the city in the far far distance, before walking the other side of Manly to see Manly lit up at night, along the nice waterfront walk...albeit it some of it in the dark, not quite sure where my feet are going!
Sunday January 9th 2005
The dreaded day has arrived....I have to pick up my parents from the airport this morning, disturbing my sleep to meet them at 6.15am...I was having such a good time.....at least now I can eat in those nice restaurants I keep passing by......
Apart from them being a little surprised by my new shaved head look, nothing seemed different - even though I havent seen them in over 6 months. Take them to their palatial hotel near Darling Harbour (if it had been a dorm, it would have slept about a dozen!) and obtained a key to their room so I could come and go as I please!!!
Take them for their first look of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House - all very impressive, except I've seen them a hundred times now! - and then straightaway onto a ferry to Manly - its only 9am and quiet, as its a Sunday morning.
Stroll along the same Manly walk I did at nightime, and have a very nice meal at one of the seafront restaurants...which appeared to be free (at least I didnt pay the bill..I could like this!!)
Return to the waterfront in the afternoon(Circular Quay), and catch the next ferry to Darling Harbour, where they are staying, and give them the guided tour there, keeping them up until around 10pm so they fully avoided jet lag!
Monday January 10th 2005
Lots of Darling Harbour today - first to the highly impressive aquarium, where you see seals playing, and killer sharks swimming along, as well as every other weird and wonderful species.
Onto the Maritime Museum (I'm becoming a proper tourist now!), seeing lots of ships, wandering through submarines etc etc
Tuesday January 11th 2005
Hired a car today, from the same company who were helpful to me as before, and drove to the Blue Mountains - about 150-200kms from Sydney.
Visit Wentworth Waterfalls lookout - again not much water flowing at this time of year, but nice views of the blue mountains - and the reason why they are so called, the blue haze from the eucalypts trees is clearly evident.
Similar views at Gordons Falls, and then onto the main tourist pull of the blue mountains - Echo point and the three sisters - rather than me explain, just look at the pictures!!
Very pretty, though far to many tourists for my liking (I want everywhere just for myself!!). Go on the brand new skyway - where you have a see through glass bottom to look straightdown, which was very good, then high speed train ride (apparently the worlds most vertical train) to the bottom of the gorge, then cable car back up - all very pretty!
Wednesday January 12th 2005
Early start to the Hunter Valley, the wine area north of Sydney, and see some beautiful views from hilltops overlooking the wineries, and then onto the wineries themselves, to do some tasting - as I'm driving I forsake - my body needs a rest from alcohol for a while anyway.
Through further wineries, little villages, all very pretty, driving through the country lanes.
On recommendation, drive to Palm Beach on the Kui Ring Gai National Park, which is a long drive, but you are rewarded with a beautiful bay, with not many people around, The bay almost meets another bay the other side of the sand dunes and is beautiful to just walk along wading - wish I'd brought my swimming stuff.
Finally return to Sydney, to show them Bondi Beach, execpt my dad directs us to the layby outside their hotel (he'd forgotten about Bondi).
They werent particularily impressed by Bondi (neither was I) - escpecially as it was getting dark, hence no sun and surf, and just a tacky place at night.
Thursday 13th January 2005
After getting ripped off by the overnight car park, and then returning the car, it was time to do the Sydney Harbour bridge climb with my dad. You cant take anything on the bridge with you - you have to empty your pockets, no camera's etc, and then you have to wear their jump suit, and get clipped into the harness system, which means that whilst technically you could fall over, you would just be left hanging there. Also fitted with Radios so you get commentary all the way up, the 1.8km, 1350 steps.
Firstly walk along gang planks where you look straight down the grill to the ground / water, then up some steeper ladders, until you are at the bottom of the archway to the top.
Excellent views over Sydney, particularily the Opera House, and once you reach the top, its stunning - whilst expensive at $160, it was worth every penny.
Friday 14th January 2005
Go to the Centre Point telecoms tower in Sydney this morning - the highest lookout in the city, and see some excellent views all over the city, including Hyde Park, which we had just walked through.
Then, onto Melbourne, via Jetstar, and catch the bus to the centre - Avalon airport is 50 minutes away from the city.
Had wanted to go to a particular hostel in my rough guide book, and the bus is supposed to drop you there - when I told the driver where he laughed a bit - and his description didnt seem to match my book, and when we arrived, it looked like a complete dive - nothing like my books description.
After the bus then departed, and I looked into the reception/bar, and the surrounding street names, I realised the idiot had dropped me at the wrong place - my place was 1-2km away - nice walk with my rucksack!
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