After surviving The Kalumburu Experience -- our 3-month remote, aboriginal adventure -- we decided to visit the beautiful city of Sydney and make our way back to Thailand for a little fun before heading to Europe. The Sydney stop was just what the doctor ordered after being isolated from civilization for over 3 months!
We had the fantastic good fortune of Couchsurfing with an Australian couple in their gorgeous 4-bedroom house just 20 minutes from the central business district. I couldn't recommend Couchsurfing enough. In fact, the husband was a retired tour guide! He told us all the best places to visit, eat, etc.
We were in Sydney for just 3 days. We visited the Hyde Park Barracks, the Taronga Zoo, Manly beach, (too many) downtown malls and feasted ourselves on a buffet dinner cruise in the Sydney harbor. You just can't beat it!
The harbor bridge and opera house, iconic Australian landmarks.
The central business district, downtown Sydney, with a massive chess game in play!
The lovely Lui.
Saint Mary's Cathedral on a bright, beautiful Aussie day!
The freakishly high Sydney tower.
The Hyde Park Barracks were a wonderful window into the fascinating beginnings of both the Australian colony and the city of Sydney itself. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the barracks were constructed in 1819 and provided lodging for convicts working in government employment in Sydney until its closure in 1848. Though it was not a prison per se, it was very tightly regimented with severe punishments for stepping out of line.
This room is a great re-creation of the living inside the barracks, showing just how packed it could get in there. Part of the "experience" were these sounds of men moaning in excruciating pain while you laid in the hammocks.
Lui however makes it look quite comfortable.
The Torango Zoo was probably my favorite. I love watching and petting all these cute, fascinating creatures of nature -- big and small.
Lui just chillin with a little kangaroo. That's just what she does (mostly on weekends). No biggy.
Our view of the Sydney Harbor from the bird show. Spectacular!
This is Petey the Pelican. He was giving me the "411" on the best night spots in downtown.
These fellas got a little mixed up somewhere along the way.
I got the cold shoulder from my emu friend here. I think he was just in bad mood that day. He certainly didn't want to talk politics...
Our final evening was finished off with a gorgeous (and delicious) dinner cruise in the Sydney Harbor. Our boat was a large catamaran. We cruised around for 3 hours, taking in the sights of the harbor and Sydney skyline. Great memories.
Thanks for reading!
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