Thursday 24th October 2002

Jetlag? Well, we're not sure, but for some 'inexplicable' reason we were both wide awake at 5.30 AM (after a mere 6 hours sleep in more than 36 hours!)
We started our exploration of Sydney with a 'cool' morning walk (bloody cold wind!) around 7.30, strolling around The Rocks towards the Observatory and went in search of 'Breakie' in one of the many foodcourts in the Central Business District. Choice a plenty! You can eat as healthy (fresh fruit juices and yummie yoghurts ...) or as greasy (the usual: bacon, eggs, sausages ...) as you want.

At 10.00 we had an appointment at the hotel with Natasha Bonello from Australian Dream Weddings for a brief pre-wedding meeting. It all seems very well organised. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Around 10.30 we continued our exploration of this beautiful city (after a delisciously foaming cappuccino from one of the many cool espresso bars, including 12 'Starbucks'). We walked towards Circular Quay to get our '2 day Sydney Explorer pass' (hop on/hop off bus tour) but we decided to take a stroll through the Royal Botanical Gardens first and then get the bus there.

The Gardens are extraordinary and exceptionally beautiful! Such luscious vegitation. Typical Australian flora ... and fauna (we saw bunches of fruitbats hanging in the trees, ibisses, cacketoos and other tropical birds). We strolled towards the famous 'Mrs. Macquaries chair', the postcard picture view of Sydney Harbour with the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in the backdrop (Sigh!). From there we hopped onto the Sydney Explorer to take us towards Potts Point, from where we strolled around Elizabeth Bay, Kings Cross (Sydneys' Red Light District), Paddington (with its typical Victorian iron lace terrace houses) and Darlinghurst (with its cool shops and eateries on Oxford Street). We went downtown along Oxford towards Hyde Park (where the ANZAC War Memorial is located).

After a quick pitstop at Starbucks, we went onto do the Sydney Tower. This 250 m high spiral tower is one the tallest landmarks in the Pacific. From the observation deck you get a 360° view of Sydney's city, harbour and far beyond. After this birdseye view we took the Sydney Explorer bus towards The Rocks, passing China Town, Hay Market, the trendy 'redevelloped' Darling Harbour area including the famous Sydney monorail, the Chinese Gardens, Tumbalong Park ... then onto Cockle Bay, the National Maritime Museum and Sydney Aquarium.

Back at The Rocks we had dinner at 'Boulders', known for it's local specialities, and recommeded by Lonely Planet. We got adventurous and opted for the 'Australian Bush Food Sampler Plate': Crocodile Spring Rolls with Illawarra Plum Sauce (native Pine Buds), Chargrilled Kangaroo with Rosella Jam (native Hibiscus), Prawn Cutlets with Garlic Butter, Soy and Chilli tossed Pipis (native Shellfish), Emu Prosciutto with Capsicum Purree, Akadjura (Bush Tomato) broiled Barramundi Filet. (The service sucks, but the food is deliscious!)

We came to the conclusion that there is soo much to see and do here, that 3 days is much too short to see it all. So we decided not to do a Blue Mountains excursion on Saturday, but instead stay in the City.
In other words: 'We'll be back'

Sunny Greetings from Sydney,
Radica & JJ