Aspireontour: Sydney and a sunset

Arrived in Sydney to lovely sunny afternoon so great introduction. Had a chance to view some of the skyscrapers from my hotel room

whilst doing quick change so could head to the opera house.Ended up walking as not that far took just over 20 mins and gave a chance to judge distances on map.

Picked up ticket and then went for vastly expensive meal by the water before the performance began. Auditorium not as large as London but well laid out with comfy seats, not so impressed with the performance unfortunately, not good enough to stop my tiredness from travelling plus additional 2 hour time difference from keeping my eyes open all the time! Tried the subway on the way back which works pretty well.

Gentle start to the morning, no fixed call so eventually left hotel at 10am (a record for the last 3 weeks!) and headed for the museum which had some good displays not only of indigenous population history but also dinosaurs, gem stones and birds and insects, quite a mix. Picked up the hop on hop off bus outside and started my tour, weather dull and had rained while in the museum but stayed dry and got some pictures of the architecture both modern and old with rather attractive small cottage type houses with balconies and all close together.

Got off the bus next at the maritime museum which had a very interesting exhibition on the child immigrants from Britain which went on up to 1967,

kids only 10 to 14 in age being transported in reasonable luxury by ship and then moved to outlying farms and missions for minimal education and lots of work, some managed to make it through but quite a few rather sad stories from them not really feeling they belonged anywhere. Outside there was a replica of The Endeavour full size but still very small alongside a destroyer and interesting submarine amongst others.

Walked around Darling harbour and then to the Chinese Garden which is a lovely quiet area in the middle of the city and clearly a favourite place for weddings, two brides on the premises one being married while I was wandering around.

Also passed this 'fountain' rather more successful than the Princess Diana one!

Back on the bus to The Rocks area which had a market going on so wandered around that, fairly touristy but some interesting things and older properties right by the famous bridge.

Got nearly back to the hotel but decided to try out the monorail first so did a more or less circular tour on that above street level, picked up some shopping and had quiet night in as have to be up very early for wine tour tomorrow.

Up at 6.30am, not my time of day, but first stop was the reptile farm where there was more coffee (!) and we fed kangaroo's

and saw a baby koala up close

as well as the endangered Tasmanian devil

and Galapagos turtle.

Also more surprisingly pure bred dingos which are more and more rare and tired!

Continuing our journey on some back roads through the wooded hills and some farmland we saw kangaroos in the wild, white cockatoos, heard the bell bird (tinkling sound) and saw eagles, quite a bonus. Tasted quite a few wines before lunch never a good idea(!) an interesting slightly oaked Chardonnay much better than unoaked to my surprise and a good Shiraz.. More wines with lunch and then more after lunch where the sparkling ones were best both white and red to my surprise. Hazy remembrance of trip back to Sydney! Did revive enough to go out for supper to Darling Harbour for the view.

Nice late start again, for walk to circular quay to pick up the ferry across the bay to Manly which has a sea coast so quite a few surfers out plus a surfing school.