Our week in Sydney

We have just spent a week in Sydney with Frank's sister and brother in law (Margaret and Kevin). They arrived late Tuesday night from freezing England, after 2 humid days (stopover) in Singapore. We stayed in apartments just near Darling Harbour - really great location.

Wednesday was overcast, so we decided on a stroll to the Aquarium, spent hours there - it has really improved since our last visit about 20 years ago.

A bit of trivia - the dugong's closest relo' is the elephant!

2 lovely ladies of the deep

Thursday was an incredible day - perfect for a cruise around Sydney Harbour - she really shone this day - there was so much activity - 'specially with the Queen Victoria towering over the International Terminal at the Quay.

After the cruise we caught the ferry to Darling Harbour for lunch

via Luna Park

The replica of Captain Cook's - "Endeavour" docked at Darling Harbour

That night we strolled from our apartments down to the Rocks to meet up with my cousins, Susan and Wayne, and Wayne's wife Ann at the Phillip Foote Pub - The guys barbequed our meat and fish (lamb cutlets for Susan and I) and barramundi for everyone else - delightful food. We then walked to the Customs House to view the underfloor model of Sydney "all lit up", as was the Queen Victoria. Circular Quay was alive with buskers and tourists. A lovely evening was finished up with a round of coffees at the outdoor Cafe at the Customs House.

Friday - time for some retail therapy in the grand old Queen Victoria Building, spent a couple of hours there before heading to Woolloomoolloo.

Our first stop at Woolloomoolloo was Harry's Cafe de Wheels - amazing how many of the rich and famous from all over the world have have joined the rest of us and consumed Harry's pies. Would love to have been there when messrs Lumley and Saunders (Ab Fab) paid their visit.

Sydney's finger wharves are amazing, spent some time inside this one - it was cool and really interesting. Restaurants underneath, luxury apartments at the front on the harbour (one owned by Russell Crowe) and a hotel at the back.

Next stop - the Opera House

We sat at the Opera Bar and watched the Queen Victoria get ready to depart Sydney, while Margaret and Kevin did a most enjoyable tour inside the Opera House.

The Queen backing out!

She starts turning!

There she goes - next in will be the Arcadia. (Sydney Harbour will see 28 cruise ships in February.)

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Saturday - we spent most of the day at the Rocks and it's weekend market, Margaret bought an unusual piece of jewellry - a necklace/choker featuring a number of drop freshwater pearls - very very nice. She also bought a some gifts to take back to the family. I parted with a dollar or two as well. The boys were extremely patient, only referring to their wallets on a couple of occasions.

Oh, patient ones!!!!

The Argyle Stores

Some years ago this wonderful old building housed lovely shops, and the famed Argyle Tavern, now it is strictly the Tavern - it was so great to rediscover it - very artistic, in more ways than one.

The boys in the bar

And now we have the loos! To think I walked in there thinking it was a gallery - sculptures, absolutely amazing really!

We stroll back down to Circular Quay, to find the Arcadia has docked, and the buskers are turning themselves inside out for we tourists. We then board the Matilda Catamaran for a quick trip to Darling Harbour.

Do you think they are enjoying this fast trip home???

We stop for a drink and watch the buskers at Darling Harbour

Followed by a stroll past the Chinese Gardens and Chinatown to our apartments and more food.

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