Sydney - day 2

Had the best breakfast buffet of my life this morning. Everything one could imagine was available, including Lichee fruits, which are pretty yummy if not slimey. Then we took the ferry to Taronga Zoo, across the bay. The sun finally came out, and it got nice and warm. We saw many animals, including many native to Australia. I was excited to see the famed platypus: half mammal, half duck(?) Couldn't take its picture, though! Also fun to see potaroos and other outback hopping animals. What a strange place this is to have evolved such creatures. Saw the koalas, kangaroos, emus, wallabys, wombats, and, the tasmanian devil - scurrying around so fast in its pen. Man, the elephants, giraffes, and zebras had fantastic views of the city - wonder if they appreciate it?

Returned to the city and wandered around "the Rocks" area. Interesting shopping - we found some aboriginal art for our entry. Relaxed at a cafe, and headed back for a soak in the hottub. Walked to Darling Harbour for dinner, and discovered that Sydney is so damn beautiful, it just keeps getting better! Had dinner at a Malaysian restaurant, and then walked to the casino. We quickly lost some money at blackjack, and came back "home".

I've been jotting down some notes. Australia is very similar to America in many ways, but here are some things that differ. "Way out = exit"; look right (or get hit by a car); half flush and whole flush toilets; it is an urban legend that water goes down the drain differently - it goes down clockwise; Fries = chips, Chips = crisps; "mind your head"; "no worries"; red hair, freckles, sunburn; five Starbucks and counting...; hazelnut Snickers (mmm); "Carpark lifts" - two words familiar, but not; outlet switches - down = on; no left turn on red arrows; "females/males" bathrooms; Princess Mary just got married to some Danish royalty - made quite a stir.

That's it for now. Had a lovely day "on holiday" today. Sydney reminds me of many cities rolled into one.
-Carol

Wombat finally wakes up! 

Richzilla attacks Sydney 

Emus and wallabys. 

Taronga zoo has great view of Sydney. Lucky giraffes! 

opera house in the sunshine 

Highlights: Day One

The flight from SFO took 14 1/2 hours because of some weather that the we had to go around.

Got in around 8 AM on Sunday morning. Saturday never even happened!

Once we got to the hotel, we didn't yet have a room, so we showered in the health club and went out exploring. First stop: The Australia Museum, which was directly across Hyde Park (Original name, eh? Named after the one in London) from our hotel. Saw lots of bones, crystals, aboriginal art, and other natural history museum stuff.

After lunch, we took the elevator to up the Sydney Skytower, a very high Spaceneedle-like building. That gave us a nice 360 degree view of the city, harbour, and surroundings. Also included in the price of admission- Skytour, a somewhat cheesy multimedia history of australia. We sat in a theatre, where there was a diorama of an australian scene and a projected movie on top for a 3d effect. Once the show was over, the theatre rotated around to another diorama room, etc. At the end there was a simulated motion ride. WEEEEEE!

After a rest in our luxurious room, we ventured down to the opera house via the botanical gardens and parks, then on to the "rocks"- the place that the first settlers came. See the pictures. After dinner and a walk home through the city, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

-Rich

Sydney city view and circular quay ("key"). Ferries load here. 

Luckily, Rich came by just in time to hold up the bridge while it was being repaired.

Street scene at "The Rocks", the oldest part of Syndey. 

Carol in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House 

Siena 

Zack