Sydney, Australia Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Larry and I were up at 5:00AM to see the ship enter into the
Sydney Harbor. What a sight!
The Rock...historically Sydney's unsavory part of town...a haunt for seafarers, prostitutes, and street gangs. Now a days, it is one the city's liveliest precincts with many worthwhile attractions. The ship docked right at this pier.
From the very front of the ship Larry and I and a few other passengers braved the wee morning hours to see one of the world’s most scenic harbors. We literally watched the city come alive….trains traveling across the Sydney harbor bridge, ferries scooting across the harbor, and traffic picking up as the day busted loose of the night sky. 4.84 million people live here, the oldest and largest city in Australia.
Sydney's cosmopolitan population is made up of 100 ethnic groups. While the city is predominantly English in background, more than a quarter of its residents were born overseas. One in five Aussies speak a language other than English. More than half the state's overseas born population hail from Europe and some 22 per cent from Asia.
Sydney Bridge,1932, is affectionately known as the "coat hanger"
What a sight.......MY MAN!
From the very front of the ship Larry and I and a few other passengers braved the wee morning hours to see one of the world’s most scenic harbors. We literally watched the city come alive….trains traveling across the Sydney harbor bridge, ferries scooting across the harbor, and traffic picking up as the day busted loose of the night sky. 4.84 million people live here, the oldest and largest city in Australia.
Sydney's cosmopolitan population is made up of 100 ethnic groups. While the city is predominantly English in background, more than a quarter of its residents were born overseas. One in five Aussies speak a language other than English. More than half the state's overseas born population hail from Europe and some 22 per cent from Asia.
This huge deep BUSY harbor is only second in size to Hong Kong's. It is entertaining to just watch the boats go by.
After a quick breakfast we gathered our two bags and headed
into the port to pick up our two larger pieces of baggage that had been carried
off by the crew. We walked right to a nice cab waiting and headed to our hotel
that was in the city center.
The first street we drove down....Hickson....Didn't anyone teach the Aussies the right way to spell it?
Luckily our room was ready so we ditched our luggage and headed for Darling Harbor to catch a Sydney Hop on Hop off bus.
Darling Harbor was undergoing a major facelift. We wondered why? Seven years ago we enjoyed a harbor city cruise from here and had liked it so much that we came back and did it again during the same evening. The area was mighty fine then, but it sure was a bit of a construction mess now.
The bus took us through the city pointing out the major government buildings, Hyde Park, the Opera House, the Sky Tower, elite shopping areas and other major sights along the way.
Sky Tower looks a lot like the tower in Auckland.
After changing to the blue line bus, it took us to our main destination….Bondi Beach.
Surfers waiting for a great wave!
About a 45 minute ride through some beautiful coastline and fantastic upscale homes we came to the bottom of a horse shoe shaped beach with loads of sun worshipers and surfers riding great waves. It really was a fantastic looking beach….no wonder the Aussies come here!
Although the morning was a bit overcast, the afternoon turned out to be a great day for soaking up the sun!
How do you like that ocean fed pool that Australia is famous for all along its coasts?
Sure beats swimming with the sharks!
The Bondi Beach Strand
There is even a group here called the Sunshine Club who gain membership by taking a swim in that bay on every Sunday for four years….I imagine that could be a little fridgid some Sundays during the Aussie winter season....even though Sydney is known for its year round pleasant temperatures....the temps average 56-74 degrees during different seasons of the year .
Luckily our room was ready so we ditched our luggage and headed for Darling Harbor to catch a Sydney Hop on Hop off bus.
Darling Harbor was undergoing a major facelift. We wondered why? Seven years ago we enjoyed a harbor city cruise from here and had liked it so much that we came back and did it again during the same evening. The area was mighty fine then, but it sure was a bit of a construction mess now.
Darling Harbor
St. Mary's Cathedral
Clock Tower at the Train Station
The bus took us through the city pointing out the major government buildings, Hyde Park, the Opera House, the Sky Tower, elite shopping areas and other major sights along the way.
After changing to the blue line bus, it took us to our main destination….Bondi Beach.
About a 45 minute ride through some beautiful coastline and fantastic upscale homes we came to the bottom of a horse shoe shaped beach with loads of sun worshipers and surfers riding great waves. It really was a fantastic looking beach….no wonder the Aussies come here!
Sure beats swimming with the sharks!
There is even a group here called the Sunshine Club who gain membership by taking a swim in that bay on every Sunday for four years….I imagine that could be a little fridgid some Sundays during the Aussie winter season....even though Sydney is known for its year round pleasant temperatures....the temps average 56-74 degrees during different seasons of the year .
We enjoyed the sights of the area, soaking up a little sun,
and came back to the hotel in time for a fish and chips dinner.
Upon returning to our room in the evening, We were surprised to see our ship on the front page of the Sydney daily paper. What a welcome!
That evening we jumped into bed thinking about the next segment of our adventure….Kiwi Land….New Zealand….one our most favorite countries in the world!
That evening we jumped into bed thinking about the next segment of our adventure….Kiwi Land….New Zealand….one our most favorite countries in the world!
No comments:
Post a Comment