Day 47 - Bondi Beach - Depart Sydney

Tuesday 15th March       map

Packed our suitcases and left them at reception of the hotel.

Overcast but we walked to Circular Quay and boarded the 'Hop On Hop Off' bus to Bondi Beach where we had a coffee by the beach. Some television filming was taking place but did not know which programme - Home and Away??

 Sandra with her coffee in a beach shelter at Bondi Beach - View of Bondi Beach

Hopped on the bus again about 1.15 pm. Passed Rose Bay and back into town where we walked to the Pylons Bridge Museum. via The Rocks and Old Sydney.

 View of sydney Harbour Bridge from the Rocks are and The Holiday Inn where we stayed.

Views of The Rocks area in Old Sydney

  Sandra climbing up towards the Pylons Bridge Museum and looking back on Sydney

The entry fee to this museum was included in the bridge walk and we had to climb 200 steps but it was well worth it as we gained splendid views from the bridge. The sun emerged for a short while just long enough to get some photos.  

  

Looking down on our hotel and The Rocks area from the bridge. 

 More views of Sydney and The Rocks from the bridge
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Views from the Pylons were almost as good as those on the bridge walk..

We walked across the bridge which was very busy with traffic and finally back to the hotel where we were collected by our driver 5.45 pm. He came for us early because four lanes on the bridge had been closed and the traffic was really bad. Apparantly some nutter had dumped a truck load of sand on the bridge from his truck in a protest against something the Government had done to upset him. Our driver drove like a maniac to the airport as he had another pick up after us for the same flight and the traffic was still very heavy.

Checked in effortlessly and were in the Emirates lounge before 7pm. Had a light meal. 

JB updated a blog on the free WiFi. Our flight should have left at 9.40 pm but it was just after 10 pm when we finally took off on the 15 hrs 20 minute flight to Dubai. 7562 miles.

Bye Bye Australisia - it was a fantastic holiday.

Day 46 - Sydney Bridge walk

Monday 14th March      map
Bright start and warm but deteriorated as the morning went on.

Went to do Bridge Climb at 09.20 for 09.50 start. The whole experience was very well organised like a military operation. Everyone signed a disclaimer form before boiler suits were handed out. Handkerchiefs for those who wanted them which were attached to the cuffs of the boiler suites. Huge harness belts were worn to which were fastened radios and headsets so we could all hear the guide when she spoke. Spectacles were made secure with ties and watches were left with cameras and anything else in lockers and locker keys worn around the neck. Caps were given to everyone to keep and were also attached with a secure tie to the boiler suites.

  

After all this we set off on the 'Discovery Climb'. We were recommended to do the Discovery climb as it was more explanatory giving information on the bridge.

There were twelve in our group and a lady leader. Six were from Westpoint along with two Australian escort officers, Tony a guy on his own who had been given a voucher for his 50th birthday, a Sydneysider lady named Jan who also had a voucher for her 70th birthday and lastly Sandra and JB. Needless to say who was at the back?

Nether the less we still made it to the top.

The whole experience took 3.5 hours and neither of us were greatly impressed with the walk possibly because the sun did not shine which, in one way, was a blessing as we did not get too hot. We were also dissapointed not to be able to take any photographs even though we had been previously told that cameras were not allowed. We felt ripped off with the cost of the photographs. Not a HH but something that has to be done whilst in Sydney - apparantly!

Had a rest back at the hotel and decided to do the 'Hop On Hop Off' bus so walked to stop 1 near Circular Quay and boarded the 3.30 pm bus. We qualified for a 'senior' ticket at $25.
The bus took us to or past most of the Sydney highlights and we were glad of a sit down after the Bridge Walk earlier.

 Bird of Paradise flower in Darling Harbour and views of Darling Harbour under grey skies.

Sandra by the water fountain in Darling Harbour.
 

Tried to rain and went colder. Got off the bus at Darling Harbour and walked around for about 40 minutes then back on the bus until George Street from where we walked back to the Irish Pub just past our hotel for an evening meal. The bus ticket lasted for 24 hours so we intended to finish off tomorrow and ride out to Bondi Beach.

Day 45 - Sydney to Dee Why

Sunday 13th March       route map

Beautiful morning and hot 27c. Went for a breakfast at a The 'Gu'Day' café by the hotel and met two ladies from Bolton who were staying at our hotel on the 5^th floor. Small world!

Today we had arranged to meet with some friends who emigrated to Sydney 4 years ago. They were members of St.John's church and David used to drive for JB until they moved out to live in Dee Why.       map

Caught the 10.30 ferry to Manly. Free WiFi on the ferry so sent some e-mails from i pod. Ferry was packed apparantly there is a $2.50 family ticket on a Sunday as the ferrys encourage families to go to the beaches around Sydney. It was like a creche! Very noisey, hot and packed. Not the best day to travel on the ferry - however...

Arrived Manley at 11.00 and got the 11.10 bus to Dee Why where David and Marjorie met us at 11.35. We walked along the very busy beach where some kind of boat race had just finished so a lot of people were preparing to chill out for the afternoon. We went for a coffee and then walked to their flat for a natter after which we had lunch in the nearby RSL club.



David and Marjorie on their balcony

Pictures taken from the ferry boat as we leave Manly.

Got the16.15 ferry from Manly back to Sydney, which was again full and equally as noisey.



Lovely sailing boat as we approach Circular Quay

Back to Circular Quay at 4.45pm and people were everywhere like ants. This must be the normal Sydney on a hot sunny Sunday.
There was a cruise liner docked at West Circular Quay which left at 6 pm.
Another hot and sunny day.

Day 44 - Old Sydney and Watson Bay

Saturday 12th March      map

Woke early after a poor nights sleep. The hotel was quiet but street noise was loud despite the double glazing. Explored The Rocks area and had breakfast 'Al Fresco' in the sunshine.

We soon discovered how expensive and hot Sydney was.

Temperature was already around 26c.

   

 View of Old Sydney close to our hotel and Sandra looking out at the ferries in Circular Quay.

 Walked to the Opera House but so hot we went back to hotel to cool off for an hour or so.

     

Refreshed, we wandered around the weekend market stalls at The Rocks. Which were lively and entertaining. Watched a street entertainer and treated ourselves to an old fashioned lemonade. Then decided to take the 4.10 pm ferry to Watson Bay which took about 25 minutes and was a great ride amongst the many boats bobbing about in the harbour.

Looking back to Sydney from the ferry boat  heading out to Watson Bay.

There were loads of yachts bopping about in the harbour all trying to avoid on another.

  

We walked along the headland from Watson Bay to the lookout point at Hornsby Lighthouse.

A very pleasant and enjoyable walk now that the temperature was dropping. From here we could clearly see North and South points which is where the harbour meets the Tasmin sea.

We passed the nudist beach at 'Ladies Bay'. A strange name we thought as their were no ladies in sight, only men.!! Can you spot any in the photograph?

Pictures show Watson Bay and the evening sky as we return to Sydney Harbour on the boat.

Back at Watson Bay we enjoyed a fish and chips take away from Doyle's whilst waiting for the 6.40 pm ferry back to Sydney. 

Lovely evening views on our return to the ferry terminal in Sydney.

Arrived at Circular Quay at 7.15 pm and walked back to our hotel to rest and have baths. Both stiff and tired after a very hot day. 29c. We were pleased that the air conditioning in the hotel room was working well.