Sydney part one
Trip Start
Nov 15, 2006
1
19
228
Trip End
Jul 15, 2008
Sydney,
Australia
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Our last day in New Zealand was the day summer finally arrived. It had been cold, wet and windy during our entire stay here. When we got up this morning we put on our usual layers of clothing for NZ weather, but soon the sun, which hadn't shown itself much before, was shining and we had to peel several layers off to keep from sweating. We took the $5.00 scuttle from Cathedral Square to the airport which was a bargain considering the distance. We were soon on our way to Oz where we were sure it would be even warmer. Then mid flight the pilot announced that a cold front was moving into Sydney. It was 20°C in Christchurch and 17°C in Sydney. Irina was sure that the bad weather was following us.
As we flew into Sydney we had a great view of the Opera House and Sydney Bridge. From the air you have a great view of the extensive Sydney harbor
Cicular Quay Entertainment
. After a narrow inlet from the Pacific it opens up in a shape like an oak leaf with long quays going off in all directions. Earlier mariners described it as a most perfect refuge for ships.Rob, our first host in Sydney, was at the airport to pick us up and took us to his comfortable home in one of the many Sydney suburbs.
Google Earth Coordinates 33º 47.520'S and 150º 59.623E
This was not a short ride either as it is a sprawling metropolis of about 4 million people. We had a very entertaining time with him and his friend Kay on the first evening. The next day he took us on a tour of the city. Irina had been here 12 years ago studying at the University of New South Wales and her recollection of the warren of streets in downtown city was excellent. After a short time she was able to lead us to the Admiral Nelson Pub which is supposedly the oldest in Sydney. On our third day Rob had to go back to his job and we were on our own to explore Sydney's famed beaches. Irina was keen to return to Manley Beach where she recalled she had been able to sun bath topless. But when we got there we found there were only two other ladies sans tops. There's a great fear of skin cancer here in Australia. Now the beach goers dress more like people in old photos of American beaches at the beginning of the 20th century.
Tomorrow we will sadly say goodbye to Rob and move in with new hosts.
