Australia and Sydney and here we are on our balcony, in the most perfect position, (see pic) looking right at the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge to our left, close enough to see the people who have walked up ON TOP! Needless to say we walked on the Harbour Bridge path. Had a wonderful dinner with Eileen Macdonald and her husband Jeff in a restaurant on The Rocks guaranteed to give you a wonderful view of the Opera House at night, unless the cruise ship Arcadia is in town and moored beside you. Nonetheless, the food was very good, wine lovely and company excellent. On Wednesday morning we took a short tour of the city to get a flavour of the architecture and a feel of history. However, in the afternoon we went on the hop on/off bus of the ‘burbs and beaches and jumped off at Bondi Beach to watch the beautiful people soak up the sun and surf the waves – or dip their toes in. (see pic). Both during lunch and in the evening we wandered around the Rocks area which is buzzing. Saving Darling Harbour for when we return next week.
Thursday and it is time to start touring again. Took off down the Princes Highway planning to stop whenever we saw something interesting. Well, if we had done that we would have needed 3 weeks not 3 days to get to Melbourne. 1st stop Sublime Point above Wollongon (see pic) – only stopped because of the name but ended up having lunch at Panorama Restaurant with that view in front of us for $A38 for two with drinks and unlimited buffet. Decided we had to see more so switched to Great Pacific Highway to travel along the coast in and out of the little beach towns Bulli –Wollongon – Shellharbour – Kiama. Then at Gerringong looked down on 7 mile beach from where Kingsford Smith took off to fly from Aussie to NZ. Onto Shoalhaven, Nowra and could not resist Greenwell Point to sample fresh oysters from the oyster ‘farm’ in the clear water.(see pic) Finally to Bateman Bay where we ate dinner on the river front – and went back for Aussie pancakes for breakfast next day. Next day more of the same but this time stopped to see kangaroos feeding beside (and amongst) the caravans at Pambula beach (see pic). Stopped too often to see things and arrived at Lakes Entrance at 8pm. Immediately, went to have dinner – this was not a good move as the whole town stops at 8pm and the only places to eat were fast food or the old Central Hotel which didn’t look promising but turned out very friendly and good food. Looked like the Aussie ‘hotels’ from the 1950’s movies.
Saturday we left in 28C and a beautiful blue sky and drove into thunder, lightening, rain via Stratford on Avon (!), Sale etc . However, stopped in a tiny hamlet for lunch where we met the grandmother who cooks the wonderful pies we sampled. Weather improving to a grey 20C we finally have reached Melbourne and settled down for a couple of days hard sightseeing. More soon.
Thursday and it is time to start touring again. Took off down the Princes Highway planning to stop whenever we saw something interesting. Well, if we had done that we would have needed 3 weeks not 3 days to get to Melbourne. 1st stop Sublime Point above Wollongon (see pic) – only stopped because of the name but ended up having lunch at Panorama Restaurant with that view in front of us for $A38 for two with drinks and unlimited buffet. Decided we had to see more so switched to Great Pacific Highway to travel along the coast in and out of the little beach towns Bulli –Wollongon – Shellharbour – Kiama. Then at Gerringong looked down on 7 mile beach from where Kingsford Smith took off to fly from Aussie to NZ. Onto Shoalhaven, Nowra and could not resist Greenwell Point to sample fresh oysters from the oyster ‘farm’ in the clear water.(see pic) Finally to Bateman Bay where we ate dinner on the river front – and went back for Aussie pancakes for breakfast next day. Next day more of the same but this time stopped to see kangaroos feeding beside (and amongst) the caravans at Pambula beach (see pic). Stopped too often to see things and arrived at Lakes Entrance at 8pm. Immediately, went to have dinner – this was not a good move as the whole town stops at 8pm and the only places to eat were fast food or the old Central Hotel which didn’t look promising but turned out very friendly and good food. Looked like the Aussie ‘hotels’ from the 1950’s movies.
Saturday we left in 28C and a beautiful blue sky and drove into thunder, lightening, rain via Stratford on Avon (!), Sale etc . However, stopped in a tiny hamlet for lunch where we met the grandmother who cooks the wonderful pies we sampled. Weather improving to a grey 20C we finally have reached Melbourne and settled down for a couple of days hard sightseeing. More soon.
That beach looks inviting. You guys are looking fantasticly relaxed.
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