Things to do in Australia/New Zealand

Really like this stop for lunch.

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And you have a wonderful zoo. I'd recommend a guided private tour. The tiger exhibit was quite smart with the iconic land rover display. Imagine sitting in this with two sleeping tigers on top, as the child is doing here. And I caught a glimpse of the dreded funnel web. I've been checking my shoes since arriving.


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BTW on the boat we discovered the world's best butter. I have to find this for the US. It seems it is fermentation that makes it so addictive.




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So we just dod the Manly Beach and the North Head on ebikes, my first experience on these. Brilliant idea, the old and lazy man way. Speaking of Manly our guide said it was called that because the Aborigines that were first spied in canoes were said to have manly arms. Which historian can verify this. And yes it was misting but just enough to keep us cool.


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Excellent and you do have to read older books sometimes to get real history. Sad isn't it?

At MuMu right now on George Street. What a cool vibe! Anyone nearby?


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Today we unfortunately must leave for Hamilton Island for three days and then Cairns. It will be interesting to see if it is torn up as advertised. I do know of course the road to Port Douglas is suppose to be back to one lane, but I am told there is a longer way around to get to PD.

We absolutely love, love, love Sydney, it truly must be one of the great cities of the world. Very young, vibrant, and energetic. So clean and crips were we were. Being from the South, think Duke of Hazard, Deliverance, Gone with the wind….well not really. The south is modern now, growing and very accepting. We do live btw just 15 minutes from where much of the classic movie Deliverance with Burt Reynolds’s was filmed. Jocassee Gorges, one of eight temperate rain forest is where we are from. So being from the South, the hotel were we stay was so interesting, this may sound silly to those here, because I could go down one door and feel like I just stepped into Japan, China or some other Asian country. There’s a couple of floors of all Asian restaurants, grocery stores, shoe shops, hairdresser, and these rooms with all of these small coin operated collectible, toys, trinkets that come out when you put in coins. Seeing this culture has been really cool.

So while here we tried to cram in a few things our friends like as they are animal lovers, and we found it interesting as well. We had personal zookeeper tour guide for Taronga Zoo, lunch at Balmoral Beach, e-bike ride to Manly Beach and North Head. We visited Featherdale Wildlife Park and then contained on to the Blue Mountains National Park. Stunning views, I had no idea it was twice the size of the Grand Canyon. Also, it is appeared to be forested unlike the Grand Canyon. Lunch in Leura Village, Eagles Hawk lookout in Katoomaba, Evans lookout, Scenic World with the railway and cable car.

It was a full day packed with nature. The only thing we did not like was it was touristy (I suppose we are tourist) with long lines at Scenic World. The Blue Mountains were still a wonder to see however, something we will remember.

So, to answer your question, it’s a travel day. I am considering this a scouting trip for a return. This is not enough time in Sydney, I would like to come back and stay a couple of months. Same would be true of Auckland and New Zealand. Now, if only I can sneak in that fabulous looking maritime museum before the flight today….

 

We tried to get in, thanks for the recommendation. The waiter at MuMu said, yes, that’s is the place to go! One the list for next time.

A few more pics...

 

I started not to bring this big camera, but glad we did. Ninety eight percent are on it vs the few I post here taken on the phone. I think I have over 1200 already. Who remembers film lol?

 

BTW for those who have not seen this classic it is worth a look.