Sydney

After a very early start at 4.30am in Christchurch to fly to Auckland and then on to Australia I arrived in Sydney at 11am on the 4th March. Much warmer here than the wet of Christchurch.

A shuttle takes me the half hour to Eva's Backpackers which is in the Kingscross area of Sidney, not the most salubrious of areas but this is now a major backpacker area with lots of hostels. All rather big and noisy I suspect. Many travelers have told me about these places so I am rather apprehensive about what I will find.

This hostel turns out to be not as bad as I had feared, although people do come in very late at night. No matter as I am here for just one night. So after unloading my pack I headed out toward the center of Sydney and the waterfront. I have been wanting to see this for many years. I found my way down through the botanic gardens which are rather lovely with a waterfront setting overlooking the harbour. From here its just a short walk to a site synonymous with  Sydney, The Opera House, and Harbour bridge. I have to say I found both every bit as impressive as I had seen in pictures and on TV. Its great to see something in real life though, when I return to Sydney I shall go inside the Opera House to get a feel for the place.

I spent the rest of the afternoon on the waterfront which has a great atmosphere and is very alive. I did not stay up too late as I have another early start to fly to Hobart tomorrow.

After nearly a month in Tasmania I retuinred to Sydney with Andy on the 29th March arriving at Wattle House and after checking in to this very small, friendly hostel I went to joint Andy who is staying down the road. We headed into town to have another look at that bridge, plus a wander round the CBD which as some great site. In the eveing we had a meal and took in a profamnce at Sydney Opera House (The Kransky Sisters are from Queensland and are a mix of comedy and music, very funny and entertaining which we both enjoyed). The following morning sees us depart early for a couple of days in the Blue Mountains.