After a long and restless flight to Sydney, we dumped the bags at our hotel and headed straight out. Tired and groggy a nice long walk around Sydney harbour and the botanical gardens was exactly what we needed
We walked around soaking up the sites for hours and Erich being my tour guide having been there twice before.
The hustle and madness of the crowds was soon forgotten when we headed to Kirribilli for a wonderful fish dinner and bottle of Sauvignon blanc. The perfect evening and both absolutely shattered to sleep in our lovely suite room
Friday 13th…Our suite was almost too comfy as we long overslept and had a lazy morning before heading off to Darling Harbour. I didn’t realise how built up and commercial Sydney was, but I don’t know what I really expected. It was a nice surprise thought to find some peace and tranquility in the Chinese gardens and make a little break and some time for reflection. With all the building work and drilling surrounding the gardens it’s hard to imagine yourself somewhere so beautiful, but this magical place manages to steal yourself away if only for a few moments. We both really enjoyed the garden and some time out after busy travels and the city.
A short trip to Paddys market surrounded by cheap tourist tat and plastic dolls, we escaped to scurry to a great pub “The pump house” to have a real ale and hide from a brief rain shower. The rest of the afternoon continues like this with a combination of pub hopping between showers before heading back to our room. The evening was bookmarked for “village bizarre” on The Rocks. Sadly the heavens opened so the little shops and shops were rained under so we found a quiet pub and watched from afar with a couple of scouners of delicious real ale (three sheets).
Saturday 14th. Breakfast was a shock. We turned on the news to see the events unfolding in Paris with the terrorist attacks. At Paris is 11 hours behind it was unfolding live on the news. Sickened and saddened it was a hard start to the day as we set off in drizzle and with heavy hearts on the ferry to Manly beach.
We hiked mostly away from manly beach on a little hiking trail, which became a little remote and in the middle of nowhere. We returned to the local 4 Pines brewery for beer and muscles which were a very welcomed treat at the end of the hike. Despite the sadness in the air and our hearts we had a nice day and we finished with a Mexican night and few beers before heading back to pack