Sydney

We absolutely loved Sydney. A big part of that was the amazing hospitality shown to us by our friends, Doug and Claudia, who we stayed with. They spoiled us rotten with great experiences and sights - and the most amazing food ever. The cherry on the top was the location of their flat just 3 minutes from the famous and beautiful Bondi Beach.

Our first stop was for cocktails at Horizons Bar - with its awesome views of The Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Getting our first sights of these iconic landmarks from up above with the night lights was an experience we will not forget.



Bondi Beach was stunning. We also had a great walk along the neighbouring coast, enjoying its cliff faces and breaking waves. It reminded us quite a bit of the Atlantic Sea board in Cape Town although I am hoping the water is a tad warmer (we didn't get to sample it). We saw lots of beautiful flats overlooking the ocean that we wouldn't wouldn't mind living in. Need to win the lottery first!



One of the big highlights of our time in Sydney was a day out sailing on Doug's parents' yacht. They were a lovely, friendly couple and the scenery along the river estuaries was absolutely breathtaking. Three of my favourite moments were eating lunch in luxury on the boat while watching "tourists" pass by on the hard seated water ferry, putting my rowing skills to the test (I have a lot of practice to do!) and seeing a juvenile sea eagle diving for fish.



Our jovial skipper!



The Sea Food Market in Sydney is famous and deservedly so. Ice laden counter after counter of sea food of every description (all freshly caught that morning) at very reasonable prices. I have never seen so many different types of oysters or such enormous crabs, prawns and lobsters. We went wild and splashed out on prawns, oysters, scollops and two of the hugest mud crabs you have ever seen - trussed up with string, but still alive, with pleading, beady eyes. Doug and Claudio, who honestly are amongst the best gourmet chefs we have ever met, cooked up an absolute storm.




We ate unbelievably well the whole time we were in Sydney. Memorable meals included:

• Doug's famous fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, a recipe handed down from Claudia's mum whose ingredients are kept secret even under the pressure of immense begging and threats of torture. Undoubtedly the best steak we have ever had, including Barristers and Argentina - and steak being my favourite savoury food in the world, I was simply in heaven.

• Barramundi and Moreten Bay Bugs (both Australian delicassies) at a great Thai Restaurant

• A completely authentic Chineese Breakfast in China Town called Chumcha, . We were the only westerners in the large eating hall. The many waiters come round with trolley after trolley of weird and wonderful (and delicious) foods. The waiters look most upset if you say no to their particular delicassy so you end up trying everything and get totally stuffed. The pics below show us in China Town and Claudia taking a big mounthful of her egg custard dessert. Sorry Claudia, couldn't resist!!

Doug setting up the perfect shot. We met Doug and Claudia on the Navimag Ferry in Chile. They also travelled through South America for several months and enjoyed it as much as we did.

Of course, we went back to the city in the daylight to enjoy close up views of the Opera House.





We took a fun walk across the Harbour Bridge. We look forward to doing a climb across the top arches of the bridge one day - we saw tourists doing it and it look amazing.


The botanical gardens were also great. I particularly loved the flying foxes that roost in their thousands in the trees. At first, I thought they were hanging fruit. They really do look like little foxes with their rich tufts of red fur. They are rather cantankerous and spend much of their time taking swipes at each other while hanging upside down.



You can see why I thought they were fruit or pine cones at first! And this was one of the smaller roosts!


No post would be complete without a bird pic. Here is a rail we saw in the gardens - exciting because they are extremely secretive and don't like to show themselves.