Sydney

To end Mel's Aussie adventure we went to Sydney. We stayed at the Old Sydney Holiday Inn which is on The Rocks - the place that the British first came to Australia. The hotel was in a great position. The view from the rooftop pool was of the Opera House & the Harbour Bridge.

We arrived late on the Tuesday night. On the Wednesday morning we tried to have a dip in the pool but it was so cold that we didn't last very long!

We then headed out to the Botanic Gardens to have breakfast with the flying foxes! Mel didn't realise what the flying foxes were at first as they were awake & flying around even though it was daytime! After breakfast we wandered around to the Opera House where we did a tour. The tour was fantastic. We even got to listen to the Australian Symphony Orchestra practising for a few minutes.

We then headed down to Circular Quay where there were a couple of aboriginal buskers playing on their didgeridoos (an English boy was heard to tell his parents that he thought they were fake!!!). We hopped onto the Manly Ferry which gives one of the best views of the Sydney Harbour. We had lunch in Manly before we headed back to Sydney.

Our next bit of fun was to climb up the pylon at the end of the Harbour Bridge - the large oblong structure at the left hand end of the bridge. In the pylon is an exhibition about the building of the bridge. From the top of the pylon you get fantastic views of the whole of Sydney - definitely another highlight.

We then went out for a drink with Chris & Dave Kettle before we met Neil's (Mel's significant other & fab karaoke DJ) brother Jason for a $10 steak (much better than the $10 pizza the previous night). Paying $10 for your steak seems to mean that you don't get much say in how it's cooked.

The next morning I woke at the crack of dawn, literally, and headed back onto the roof to watch the sunrise over the Opera House. Awesome! Once I managed to get Mel out of bed we headed out to Darling Harbour for brekkie. We then went shopping in Paddy's Markets - just a whole different world - Neil benefited hugely from the trip!

The Sydney Tower was our next stop. It's supposed to give the best views of Sydney (it used to - not since they built the skyscrapers though). Finally we wandered back to the Opera House via the Botanic Gardens. We had lunch beside the Opera House with a great view of the Harbour Bridge - well we just had to have another glass of fizz. With the glorious sunshine & the stunning views there was nowhere better to be with my little sister.

All too soon the trip was over & we headed back to Adelaide. Mel has now gone back to the UK seriously bitten by the travel bug.

Annabelle says thanks for all the great presents that you have sent out for her birthday - you're all very kind.

Time to sign off - wish I had a portkey

Big hugs

Geraldine x