Mike and Wendy's holiday blog: Oct 22: Oz (25

Tuesday 25 October

Uluru to Sydney

So we left the red dust of Uluru behind - well most of it 😁

Once again we were very lucky with the weather as we woke up to rain! There would not have been much to see on the sunrise tour today 🌧️

Though having said that we spoke later to a couple who had been on it and had seen a bit of sunrise - but more importantly had seen a trickle of water in the waterfall! I bet those who went later would have seen a torrent as the rain was very heavy!

Two flights today Uluru to Brisbane then Brisbane to Sydney as the original flight straight to Sydney was cancelled.

So a day of travelling really.

But there was a bonus - I saw Kata Tjuta as we flew out of Uluru and then Sydney Opera house

.. and then the harbour and the Opera House as we flew in to Sydney on our second flight

We rushed from the Brisbane flight only to find that the Sydney one had been delayed a bit but at least we got on it! Bit of a pain as we'd had to collect our luggage then check it in again but at least we knew it was on the flight with us 🤣

Then worked out that the plane wasn't delayed but the time on the boarding pass was when the gate opened - so there'd been no need to rush 🙄 Plus crossing two times zones on the flights didn't help 🤪

Day 1 Sydney

Our hotel was right at the side of China Town so that was our evening meal sorted.

Travel: 1,700m + (more as 2 flights)

Wednesday 26 October

Day 2 Sydney

We decided to walk down to the harbour and Opera House and went past the cathedral en route.

Lit a candle for Carol - she's here on holiday with us 💕

Then the NSW art gallery - some great works.

Mike put himself in the man crèche when he'd had enough 🤣

Some of the art had ideas above its station. But that's art I suppose. Subjective 🙄

Had a peep through a little hole at the fountain restoration near the cathedral.

Botanical gardens.

Bin Chickens were on the prowl at lunch time in the Botanical gardens 😁🤣

First glimpse of the Opera House and bridge.

Evening meal at the same place across from the hotel (literally 50 steps 😂) in China town as Mike wanted to try something else on the menu. Turns out we don't like steamed rice noodles. Ok with beef and black bean but eeurgh as steamed pancakes 🫤

Thursday 27 October

Day 3 Sydney

Took the bus to meet Nomes at Bondi beach. Lovely to see her after 9 years!

Had a wander round and watched the surfers.

Beautiful blue sky and very hot!

The heavens opened whilst we were sitting with Nomes and everyone had to scuttle inside but the skies soon cleared again.

Bus back to near the hotel - missed the stop 🙄

Went to look at the Chinese Garden of Friendship but it had closed so now on the list for tomorrow.

Evening walk down to Darling Harbour to watch the sunset. It's a huge complex of wharfs and piers with loads going on.

Another meal in Chinatown 😋

Friday 28 October

Day 4 Sydney

An early morning walk to see this university business school building by architect Frank Gehry - known as the crooked brown paper bag 😁

We took the tram to Circular Quay then walked to the Museum of Contemporary Ar

Great views of the bridge and Opera House from various places today.

Brunch in the cafe at the CMA - great views!

Traditionally painted 'map' showing layers under the earth.

This was part of a work depicting plants used for medicines but shown using traditional painting methods.

This piece was designed like an architect's drawing - very clever! There was a man looking at it when I went over and he was obviously bursting to talk to someone about how much he liked it! So we had a little chat about it - so lovely to share his enthusiasm.

Cadman's Cottage - the oldest surviving residential house in Australia.

These three sculptures were done in relief and showed best in full sunlight - the family. So clever.

Walk around 'The Rocks' - the site of the original settlement of Sydney.

There are remains of some of the original terraced houses. You need to use your imagination a bit 😁

We had a look round the Rocks Discovery Museum which showed what life in the area was like before all the fleets arrived. It was sad to see how much was lost/destroyed by the settlers.

People were climbing the bridge - you can see them between the flags at the top.

We stopped for a drink at one of the oldest pubs - the Australia Hotel.

We eventually walked back through Darling Harbour.

Water dragon.

Chinese Garden of Friendship.

When this garden was first mooted they were given an acre of land for it. I think they did a great job and it's a little oasis of cool and calm amongst all the skyscrapers!..

After a bit of a rest we walked back down to the Queen Victoria Building. This was originally built on the site of the old markets and was named to honour the Queen's diamond jubilee.

Over the years it has housed many things - concert hall, warehouses, library, council offices - and now posh shop gallery. Great clock!

We were very tired so it was takeaway beer and Chinese street food and an early night 😴

Saturday 29 October

Day 5 Sydney

Went for a little souvenir shop in Paddy's market just over the road from us.

The tree outside the hotel had slashes of gold around the its stumps. I wondered if there was any

link with Kintsugi - japanese art of mending broken pots with gold.

Didn't have time to go to a museum as planned but we got the check in sorted for our next flight so that was good.

Took the tram/light rail down to Circular Quay and had chance for a bit of a wander before meeting Nomes.

It was noticeably busier with it being weekend and there were loads of street entertainers around. A huge cruise ship had docked - taking up almost the whole length of the quay.