Sydney, Oh Sydney!

Arriving in Sydney required us to get Miss Maui back to her home base for 3 days. Driving in Cities has to be the least desirable place to travel in a camper van. Australian drivers however are the most helpful. When I found myself in the wrong lane or maybe straying across lanes, other drivers would kindly stick one finger up to let me know I've just made one mistake. By the time I had arrived in Sydney the last driver still only put one finger up, but by now he should have had four fingers up. I put two fingers up on both hands to let him know I was now up to four mistakes.

Moving to the taxi for the drive into central Sydney was a big relief. We arrived at our hotel and there is always that feeling at the reception desk as to what the room will be like. On this ocassion we were very pleasantly surprised. We were looking out from the twelve floor across Sydney Harbour. On our left, Sydney Harbour Bridge and on the right the Opera House. In the room, two guests holding cases, shopping bags, toilet rolls and washing-up liquid with jaws on the floor.

It reminds me of the Fawlty Towers sketch, where we both say "Is that our view of Sydney" and the manager leans out the window, looks both ways and says "Yes, that's Sydney alright, what were you expecting, Torquay?"

Lounge view - with painting of Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.

Bedroom view - with same painting of Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.

At one point I thought we might just stay in the room for 3 nights, looking at the view, but we did eventually head out to the Harbour Opera, which had its last night of West Side Story - Sues absolute favourite. A lovely gentleman originally from Eltham in London found two of the last remaining seats for us, we couldn’t believe our luck. We just had to get through the James Bond styled security.

The view from the harbour side park was fantastic.

The theatre and stage for West Side Story

The highlight was at the end of the “America” track, when fireworks went off over the stage.

We woke to a lovely morning and went up to the 23rd floor for a swim.

Today we are going to take the Ferry from Central Quay's, Wharf 3 side B to Manly. This a 22 minute A$5 trip through the harbour and as good as any sightseeing tour.

We walked around to Shelly Bay, a beautiful little beach with wonderful snorkelling. We had lunch in The Boat House, a great beach bar.

On our return to Sydney, we strolled around the Rocks area. There are lovely restaurants, pubs, old properties and museums. Some of the murals of old street scenes were impressive.

On Tuesday morning we headed down to the Sydney Bridge in readiness for the climb. We both had our own personal thoughts about this particular adventure. The preparation was very well organised as we were breathalysed, put in overalls and harnesses and given radios and headphones. The initial climb was 4 or 5 steep stairways, after which it was a walk along the top curve of the bridge girders, but not very steep. At the top, some 134m high, the view was phenomenal.

The climb took 3 hours, at the end we headed to the nearest bar for something to steady the nerves.

That evening we explored the Opera House and sat at the Opera Bar along the harbour side to watch the Asian photography antics. I have to wonder if they ever have friends around to see their photos? Here are my photos.

Having carefully studied the Asian photographic technique, I decided I must try an Asian style selfie and for a first try, I think I did rather well.

Me in Flont of Opera House, Sydney. Vely, Vely Good Photo, No?

Sue woke me a 6am on the morning we left Sydney, having been woken herself by the sunrise. This was Sydney’s Grand Finale, and it will be one we will remember forever.