Aussie Adventure: Sydney Down Under

The flight to Sydney was good very quiet and uneventful which is a good thing. We got there early morning on the 28th and got to our hotel around 7AM. Considering the time change and little sleep on the plane we all crashed for 4-5 hours and then got up around noon. Now it was time to explore!! The weather was a little cooler here then in the west but still very nice. It was cloudy the first day and then after that nothing but blue sky. We were a 5 minute walk to Darling Harbour and about 20 minutes to the Opera House and Circular Quay which is where the ferries go in and out of. To sum this place up in one word SPECTACULAR!! I will say this though if you come here bring money and don't count up your purchases or you will crap yourself until you get home. Very pricey but worth it.
We got to the Opera House via Hyde Park and the Botanical Gardens and all I can say the Opera House was worth the trip by itself!! To try and describe it would be pointless on paper so all I will say is if you ever come here make it a must. We couldn't go inside but just to stand outside and take it all in was enough.
On day 2 we went on a bus tour of Sydney to the north shores of Manly to the famous Bondi Beach in the south. We also had a 2 hour lunch cruise on a huge yacht with tons of food and a tour all around Sidney Harbour. Stunning!!
Day 3 we went again by bus out to the Blue Mountains and walked on the trails down to the valley floor via the steepest cable train cars. Very cool. On the way back we stopped at the Featherdale wild life park and got up close and personal with the Koala, Kangaroo, and Tasmanian Devil. Did you know that the word Kangaroo in Aboriginal language means ”I don't understand“ . When the European's came to Australia they asked the Aborigines what the strange animals were. They didn't understand and said "Kangaroo" The European's thought that was the name of the animals! Little bit of trivia.
Day 4 was New Year's eve. Kaelyn and Betty went shopping , Kyle and I went to an IMAX movie and the Maritime museum. The New Years show at the Opera House and Harbour were unbelievable and the people, holy F&%#@. Almost 2 million around the waterfront!
New Years day we went to the TARONGA zoo across the harbour. I've been to several zoo's and this had to be one of the best. Another must do when here not just for the park itself but the views of the harbour are also excellent.
Sydney is amazing but it is extremely busy and expensive. Makes Vancouver look cheap!! Here are some pics.

Pyrmont bridge over Darling Harbour. Only open to foot traffic now to access both sides without having to walk around.

Botanical Gardens.

That's me, Kyle, and Kaelyn in front of one of the sails to give you an idea of the size of the place.

This is from the other side of the harbour. The above picture is us in front of that little sail to the far right. That should give you an idea how big this structure is. All I can say is awesome.

Cruising the harbour!!

World famous Bondi Beach! Believe it or not this is a relatively average day. Not that busy according to the locals. All I can say at the end of the day my neck was extremely sore!

The 3 sisters in the Blue Mountains about 2 hours west of Sidney. The scenery is spectacular and a very cool area to explore but it was so busy it was hard to get the full scope of the place. My suggestion would be to rent a car and go on your own and take your time. Lots of cool little towns to stop in along the way.