Two days in Sydney

After we booked return tickets to Melbourne for 7 days 5 nights from May 24 to 30, 2013, I decided to go to Sydney as well. So on Saturday, April 27, 2013, we booked Tiger Airways return tickets from Melbourne to Sydney.  

On Monday, May 27, 2013, departed from Tullamarine Airport at 8 am and arrived at Sydney Airport at 9.20 am.  Another friend fetched us from the airport to the North City.

Strolled along Darling Harbour

Dropped by Hard Rock Cafe Sydney to buy myself a T-shirt :)

At 12.30 pm, was treated for lunch at I'm Angus Restaurant.

Started off with Traditional Bruschetta ~ roma tomatoes, Spanish onions and aged balsamic.

followed by Giant Beef Ribs

and Traditional Garlic Prawns ~ served with a garlic and parmesan baguette.

At 1.30 pm, we got in the Wildlife Sydney Zoo ~ The Australian Animal Adventure in the Heart of the City ~ open daily from 9 am at Aquarium Wharf, Darling Harbour, again on her treat :)

After our friend went home, we walked around The Rocks. The Rocks is situated at the base of the Harbour Bridge with boutique stores, art galleries, restaurants and historic buildings. Long time ago, the area was home to the indigenous Gadigal people. European settlers claimed the land in 1788. 

At 4.40 pm, we got on a ferry ride from Circular Quay to Cabarita. 

Took few photos of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and iconic Sydney Opera House from the ferry.

Sydney Harbour Bridge is the largest steel arch bridge in the world.  Its arch based design has led to the Bridge being known to locals as the Coathanger. It was designed in 1924 to connect the northern and southern shores and opened in 1932.

Sydney Opera House was designed by Joern Utzon. This World Heritage listed building is considered a masterpiece of late modern architecture and a world class performing arts venue.

That night, we had dinner with our friend at a Vietnamese cafe. We stayed with him and his girlfriend for two nights' stay in Sydney.

On Tuesday, May 28, 2013, we took the train at 8.55 am from Stanmore station and reached Circular Quay station at 9.20 am. We then walked to the Royal Botanical Garden. 

 Autumn

Winter

Spring

Summer

We walked to Mrs. Macquarie's Point to see the famous Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. It is an exposed sandstone rock that was hand carved into a bench by convicts in 1810. It is said tat Mrs. Macquarie, the wife of the then New South Wales Governor, was known to visit the area to take in the views.

Wasted our time looking for it and wasn't impressed when we found it :(

Then we walked to Hyde Park

By noon, we reached Chinatown. At 1.30 pm, we had lunch at Hungry Jack. Took on the Tuesday's 'buy 1 free 1 big cheese burger' offer. The cheapest lunch we ever had in Australia.

At 2 pm, we continued our day by going to Market City

before heading to Bondi Beach by 3.40 pm bus and the ride took about 45 minutes.

Bondi Beach is one of the famous beaches in the world. It is a captivating location brimming with lifeguards, surfers and tanned beach-goers. 

 It's almost winter and there is barely anyone on the beach except for a few surfers.

We were back at Circular Quay at 5.40 pm where we continued looking around for souvenirs...

At 6.20 pm, we had drink at Opera Cafe

before having dinner at Kiroran Silk Road Uygur Restaurant at 8.35 pm.

It is located at 3, 6 Dixon St, Haymarket NEW 2000.

On Wednesday, May 29, 2013, departed from Sydney Airport at 6.50 am and arrived at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport at 8.25 am.

It was an enjoyable and memorable trip. No wonder those Malaysian friends of ours decided to stay here permanently. It is a safe city. I'd most definitely come again...

Till next week, moving on to another city...