Sydney

Sydney

The plane arrived early but it took 2 hours to get through customs – what a system!! Even Edgware Junior School could have thought of a better system – well maybe not! Anyway, they let us in and we then spent half an hour sorting out a new SIM card for phone and ended up having to buy a new phone as it proved to be easier.

Next we sorted out a rail ticket for a week – what a bargain as we can use any bus, train or ferry. A good deal as we have to take the ferry to and from Manley every day.

My first mouth dropping moment came as we came out onto Circular Quays and saw for the 1^st time, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It was only then that it sank in that we were really in Australia. The weather couldn’t have been better – sunny and not too hot. The ferry ride across to Manly was just amazing. To all you well travelled people who take these things in your stride, you have to understand that this has been a dream for many years and I’m still finding it hard to believe that it is actually happening. So far, our journey has been on ‘trains and boats and planes’ all in 1 day.

After dumping luggage in the apartments, we tried to find out where the best place would be to watch the rugby and what time it started. Couldn’t believe that the first 6 people we asked knew nothing about rugby and the 7^th person worked in a sports bar and knew Wales was playing but couldn’t remember who else – true Aussie supporter there. Anyway, found a bar with Welsh as well as Aussie supporters, and a good time was had by all except the final result was a’ bit of a disappointment’  - to put it mildly!!!

The apartment is not brilliant, but as we only intend to be in it for breakfast and to sleep, then it is comfortable enough. We’ve got tea bags and coffee and a liquor store on the corner where we have been told where to look for the best and cheapest wines. What more do we need. One very kind local even bought us a bottle to welcome us to his country!

Saturday.

Up early for a walk onto Manly headland in the hope of seeing some whales but just missed a pod of 2 adults and 2 babies apparently. Back for breakfast and then on the ferry to Sydney. I wonder if locals ever get tired of the view of the Opera House and the bridge. To me they are stunning from any direction. After taking the inevitable dozen or more photos of the Opera House from all directions, we ambled off to the botanical gardens where, believe it or not, we took the little ‘choo’ train from the entrance up to the coffee shop near Woolloomooloo.( What a great name for a place! Needless to say we pronounced it completely wrongly)  We did manage to walk from there to the Macquerie Seat. We could not get over the number of different trees that were in the park along with an amazing number of bats hanging from one species. We later went to The Rocks – neglecting to tell Ieuan and Stu that this was an area of shops and markets rather than what it sounded like. However, they managed to sup a few beers whilst Pam and I mooched around the market. It is so strange to see Christmas decorations being sold when the weather is hot and sunny.

Sunday

Spotted some whales this morning – very exciting. Apparently whales are travelling south for the summer at the moment. There were quite a few swimming past the headland but they were not close enough to get a good view. Did manage 1 photo though.  

Hong Kong

Day 1

Hong Kong

After a good night’s sleep – catching up after a sleepless night on the plane – we hit the open top Big Bus Company hence enjoying the ‘sights, sounds and smells of this dynamic metropolis’. And how…….! 3 tours in 1 day which included the funicular railway up to The Peak, a sampan ride around Aberdeen harbour, a night route around Kowloon, a sort of view of the laser lights across the harbour and a Star Ferry ride. We are now experts on the history of the island as well as the function for many of the buildings,

Day 2

On a bus again – this time the No 6 from Central to Stanley Market. As stated in the Top 10 Guide Book – Stanley Market is not the best or the cheapest on the island – but it was worth a visit and the bus was certainly worth experiencing.

On returning to the hotel – we had about 10 minutes before our transfer coach appeared. We had yet another journey to the airport via a few hotels in Kowloon thus making the journey long a bit tedious. Things were a bit frugal at the airport as we had only enough Hong Kong dollars to buy a cup of coffee each and a few little biscuits.

Tuesday

Only 6 days to go. Will be in Hong Kong this time next week.
The list of things to do before we go is getting longer.

Australia

Ieuan and I are leaving for our retirement holiday to Australia on 17th October 2011.