Back to the Eighties - Darling Harbour and around

Fancy a bite?
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Sydney is beginning to charm me.

Its a very user-friendly city. Buses, monorails and ferries take you everywhere. Travelling around the city is actually a pleasure rather then a chore. The perpetual blue skies do suit it and set off the metallic of the new outside restaurants or shiny new atriums put on an office block. And does it have a lot of office blocks? Its skyline resembles Seattle or Dallas and the fact thate everything seems to spanking new. A 19th century building is given a glass roof, a restaurant has outside seating has silver chairs, a department store has a new glass atrium. This is not meant as a criticism - Sydney has a worldwide reputation, and at heart it is a lovely city. But occasionally, just occasionally it is like walking around a shopping mall. You just wish for just that tiny bit of grime or imperfection.

The Aquarium had a monster "saltie" with a sign on the steps saying "IF THE FALL DOESNT KILL YOU - HE WILL"

Welcome to my aquarium Mr Bond...
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If I was going to get imperfection then Oxford Street last night was the place but even there the designer bars are creeping in. I checked out a couple of "hotels" last night but was tired after the plane journey so just settled on a pint of "Tooheys" at the Stonewall Inn. I'd never tasted Australian beer, it was surprisingly tasty.

This morning I was up early, changed up some money, and wandered down to Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour is one of the major regenerations of Sydney. In the eighties the government poured in millions of dollars to regenerate it. It now houses two marinas, an IMAX, a convention centre, and numerous superb museums. A monorail swishes by and you could easily spend an afternoon wandering from restaurant to museum in a leisurely fashion.

Aquarium entrance Darling Harbour
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If there is one thing that I love its Aquariums and Sydneys was one of the best.. Its a modern building that is integrated into the wharf so the exhibts swim in natural fresh seawater. It concentrates on Australian wildlife and I loved the little mudskippers with their bulbous eyes poking out of the mud. The Aquarium had a monster "saltie" with a sign on the steps saying "IF THE FALL DOESNT KILL YOU - HE WILL". There is a wonderful glass tunnel with sharks swimming above and below you and shoals of fish were set of to classical music. I loved the jellyfish, lit with red from underneath and pulsating away like alien creatures.

Darling Harbour
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The Pyrmont Bridge takes you across the water to the Star City Casino. This was only meant to be one hour but I ended up there for three enjoying the slots and gambling tables. I was impressed by the theatre there showing West End and Broadway shows. There are also fantastic views from here across the CBD and the Harbour Bridge.

The rest of the day was spent down George Street checking out the expensive shops and the Queen Victoria Building (the outside reminded me of Harrods). I just got caught up in the ebb and flow of people and before I knew it the day was gone.

I'd do it all again. Today has been a pleasure.