Day 2 in the Land of Oz!

Yes after a protracted leave of absence to herald in the new year, i am back with the adventures. We were so shagged out by the first day due to the long flight and all that we went for a nice sleep. Like erm, 9-10 hrs of sleep. On a holiday. Yup. Thats the fantastic thing about free and easy cos your time is your own. Anyways the best mode of transport in Sydney is on foot. The train system, though extensive, is exorbitant. I think a 2 stop ride costs about AUD $1.80. Wah lao i go Boon Lay from Pasir Ris costs S$1.84 niah. But really, the best way to enjoy Sydney is on foot as you explore the architecture and enjoy the weather. Although in the middle of summer, but the wind from dunno where means you don't really feel the humidity. Thats why lazy ol' us decided to walk!

When we were there, we would keep hearing a story, about this particular convict who was sentenced to work on one of the islands surrounding Sydney. He apparently remarked to one of his captors that "My, you have a most beautiful harbour." I believe i read it from a brochure, heard it from a tour guide, and a park ranger separately. Oh, and the person next to me in the toilet cubicle too.

But truth be told, Sydney harbour, and the surrounding area, is really most beautiful. It is quite obvious what Singapore was trying to do with Clarke Quay, but I have to say, no fight man!

Our first stop was Circular Quay! I can't really remember the name of this place haa haa, but its actually a library. So we of cos did not spend much time there. Like, less than 5 mins. We're not very cultural people.

Another famous building. Again, we din go in.

OH MY GOD. SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE!! YES!! We practically went SOH-crazy. You will not guess how many days (and nights) we spent at SOH. But when you witness the place first-hand, its really quite breath-taking. We took pictures at it from many angles, but you seem to still get the same view from each angle. I can't explain it also.

Cadman's Cottage. The oldest residential place in Sydney. But there's nothing inside 'cept pipes and holes in the ground.

Another angle of SOH! Told you we went crazy liao.

More give me more!!

The Sydney Harbor Bridge! Another thing we went crazy over!

This whole area is actually known as The Rocks. Cool name eh.

The Rocks is actually a stretch of prime shopping. And thus all we could do there was pose for photos.

We took a ferry! Yup another popular mode of transport in Sydney is the ferry. Cos the main water thoroughfare runs through most of the happening spots in Sydney, some people actually commute by ferry to their office around the harbour, and back home. Thats one hell of a way to beat rush hour.

Us at Fort Denison! Its some heritage site near the Sydney Harbour, and it costs like 27 AUD per person to go there by ferry and for a guided tour. Erm, in our humble opinion, not worth going. Had a good tour guide, but the place is simply a rock on the sea. You can spit from one end and land it on the other. And they had the usual cannons and gunpowder sacks lor.

Me firing a cannon.

And the next stop on our packed itinerary for the day was Pylon Lookout! You see, you can either choose to pay up to AUD 200 bucks to do the Bridge Climb, or you can pay 7 bucks to climb the Pylon Lookout, and get essentially the same view. The Choice is Yours.

I was hungry.

There was an eclipse when we finally reached the Opera House.

I have to say though, we both look so coooooolllll.

The sun came through. But truth be told, i think the Opera House actually looks better from a distance. Haa haa. That reminds me of the saying: yan kan hua hong hong, jing kan hua shen cong.

To round off our overwhelmingly packed day, we wanted to walk to this Government House thingy near the Opera House (Everything good in Sydney is near the Opera House or the Harbour one lor)

...But closed liao. So we take photos from outside only. This picture is of some conservatory, not the Government House though. Needless to say, I was shagged out by then. I believe we lost 10 kg each from walking that day.

We walked all the way to Martin Place to take the train back. My friend Damien had actually told us we can walk to the Opera House from our hotel in the city centre, but he obviously over-estimated our stamina.

We had dinner at this nice cafe near our hotel! Yummy pasta and risotti! Even the waiters and waitresses in Australia are so warm and friendly. This particular waitress insisted, after the 3rd time i called her "Excuse me!" that i call her by her name. Which i have obviously forgotten now.