High five Sydney

Late at night Maike and I arrived in Parramatta by bus and were picked up by my uncle Karly, going out for some good Lebanese coffee and then meeting his new girlfriend Jay and her daughter Ling (fish).

Next day, the first Tuesday in November, we were actually supposed to dig out something smart from our backpacks and giddy-up for the Melbourne cup races. We predicted Americain as the winner the week before but unfortunately we both were too dumb to bet on him. So sorry guys no Lamborghini or Yacht cruises the next few months…. Damn it! Could have been so rich.

So what we did on this day of Races was to drive around with Karly to see his new house and discovered the Rocks, Newtown and its lovely bars and restaurants for  lunch, driving through the city hearing Karyl's stories about where and what he worked so far, endless conversations between him and Maike about cars… and a quick stop at the Olympic stadium.

    

Although it is Australia’s oldest city, Sydney is still the most hip, stylish and glamorous place in the country. A place that keeps re-inventing itself, sun-kissed and sophisticated, the Capital of New South Wales is the country’s cosmopolitan and economic centre and home to many of the famous landmarks you’ll have seen on postcards ;-) For starters there’s the architectural masterstroke of the Sydney Opera House, possibly the most famous domed roof in the world. Weighing a staggering 161000 tonnes it’s amazing that the opera house can stand up at all. Nearby is the harbour bridge, a giant coat-hanger spaning the deepest natural harbour in the world.

In the evening we picking up my lil cousin Greta from school and had some gorgeous portuguese tarts. After a short rest at home we went out to have dinner at a Japanese restaurant, sashimi and terriyaki chicken, finishing the day with ‘fish-ice’. Just see the pictures. Before driving home I still wanted to meet Fifi and see her new apartment. A too short and quick visit but we really had to go to bed early enough for our next trip.

 

Our trip to the Blue Mountains:

On the schedule was Canyoning and Abseiling in Katoomba to escape the hustle and bustle of the city life. If it’s mountains you’re after, then 65km inland from Sydney we found the Blue mountains, part of the Great Dividing Range, a huge rocky backbone that spans three Australian states, so called because of the blue haze created by the oil of the eucalyptus trees. After a Absail-training at the 5m, 10m and 30m wall rocks, passing beautiful and lovely Leura, all the gum trees, spectacular cliffs and rock formations, viewing the three sister peaks, we then had to conquer a River to finally abseil the Wenthworth water Fall. Being afraid of heights that was the most frightening but also most exciting thing I've ever done before. Not only that my legs were shaking like crazy, I also couldn’t feel my toes or fingers because the water was so f.. freezing cold.

 

 

 

 

Best day ever!!!

Back to SYDNEY:

A day of marathon city walk tour along George and Pitt street, gift shopping at Paddy’s Market, brunching at Darling Harbour, back to the Rocks passing the Observatory and Tunnel, shopping some Ugg boots for Maike, looking for a pretty chic bag for her, taking some pics of historic buildings as Coldman cottage, the library, Sydney hospital, Parliament house or Town hall and finally checking out the newly opened L’Occitane store getting a free goodie bag in the Westfield mall. At night we filled our bellies with sweeties, red Rocks marshmallow cupcakes and popcorn and saw the 3D JackAss Movie. Freaky awesome! High five – smash womph

 

 

 

 

Today was a day spent at Bondi Beach after Maike had her waxing done. Brunching at one of the beach coffee bars and then starting off for a Coastal walk nearly being blown away by the wind.  Not a good day for surfing with all the schools of fish accompanied by sharks… and at the beach we passed many blue bottles.. *g* And no bronzed and buffed bodies lazing in the sun at all. Busy walk path with all the people wanting to see the new sculptures. As soon as the rain showed up we went back home to sneak into our beds for movie night with chocolate and ‘Natural jelly confectionery’.

 

   

 

    

Next day we went to the huge Apple store but then Maike didn’t buy the MacBook or iPhone anyway. Next stop was at the Art Gallery because the rain wouldn’t stop crying waterfalls. As soon the weather got better we took some fun pictures at the Domain:

 

 

huge x-mas tree inside of Victoria Building:

 

 

Sun is showing up and there we go.. to Manly for a free sailing course at the Esplanade Yacht Club. Keeping our feet dry and getting some useful tips how to handle a sail, with lasers, dinghies and yachts taking us out on the beautiful harbour.   We were instructed by some funny aussie guys on a J24. Afterwards we skipped the surfing though there were just perfect waves for us but preferred a good beach chill…

The same day there was the Australian Music Award and the Red Bull Flugtag. skipped that. When passing the opera house we saw many pretty dressed up people.

Packed our stuff and went to bed quiet early to be ready for our Aussie Surfsafari trip up to Byron Bay.

 

 

 

 

 

Here some more pics:

 

     

 

Vibrant, good looking, sometimes a little snooty yet always multicultural, Sydney welcomes you with a kiss on each cheek, darling!