Sydney, Australia - The Land Down Under

Australia! It's a vast country that is on the other side of the world, I got the incredible opportunity to visit Sydney, Australia on the eve of 2002. My aunt had been living in New South Wales for some time in the city of Sydney, so my Grandparents decided that we should visit my aunt and see where she was living. The month that I spent in Australia was truly amazing, it's an experience that I shall be immensely grateful forever more because it was out of this world! Thank You!

Departing from London Heathrow Airport bound for Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport we prepared ourselves for the mammoth trip that lay ahead of us. Our first flight from London Heathrow to Los Angeles, USA took 12 hours, the longest flight I had ever been on to date! To continue our journey onto Sydney, Australia we collected our baggage, ensuring they were interlined onto the next flight to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport. Taking a 7 hour transit time we waited for our next flight, which was around 9pm that night.

I remember being baffled that Los Angeles International Airport had something like eight terminals, could airports be that big?! Anyway, our next flight took 14 hours and departed without a hitch, I remember getting on the plane and going straight to sleep! Our second flight took us over the Pacific Ocean bound for Sydney, soaring over the Hawaiian Islands and over the International Date Line. We got to Australia finally, clearing immigration without a problem but my grandad got fined $90 for bringing a satsuma orange into the country! The television show Nothing to Declare should of being filming that day!

Ready and waiting, we watched the evening sky fade into darkness ready for the New Year's Eve celebrations to take place. With a perfect view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House bay area we marveled at the magnificent New Year's  Eve fireworks! They were simply amazing, its a sight that I don't think I will ever forget! Sydney is a magical place, welcoming 2002 in the center of the action was out of this world! I still have to pinch myself when I think about it! You can definitely say I am one very lucky boy!

Seeing is believing and yes I really do, because both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are two amazing landmarks! The first time we saw the Harbour Bridge and Opera House was while our ferry sailed into Circular Quay from Parramatta. Circular Quay is where all the ferries arrive and depart, you can get to the nearby beach town of Manly from there but I'll mention more about Manly later. It's one of those once in a lifetime moments, I kid you not it was immense! The area surrounding these two landmarks are extremely cosmopolitan, especially where the Opera House overlooks the Harbour Bridge! It's been a long time since I was there with my family but it will stay with me forever! I have to go back to this city in the future, and to other parts of this vast country!

Sydney has many sides to it, seeing the sights I saw during my family trip was unforgettable. We made our way to Darling Harbour to see the Japanese gardens, might I add these gardens were in the heart of the city but the overall atmosphere was so serene! These gardens were a little pocket of calm in the center of the bustling and cosmopolitan city of Sydney. Along with Darling Harbour we made our way to Sydney's Chinatown, what an colourful, busy and vibrant place that turned out be. We discovered the large indoor market that sold everything you possibly wish for! Our dining choice was perfect, my Nan will agree me that we found the best tasting Sweet and Sour Chicken ever! Nothing will ever top that restaurant in Sydney's Chinatown. If shopping is on your mind go to the Rocks for some premium shopping, the cobbled streets are lined with very nice shops that suit all budgets, looking back the whole experience seems like a blur! It was an adventure for sure! 

Manly Beach became our base for the remaining weeks of our New South Wales holiday, the location of our original accommodation was located quite far out from the action and vibrance of all things Sydney. Choosing the Quest Manly Apartments as our residence took our trip to its next phase. Manly Beach is a beautiful and quirky town which has a many different qualities. Royal Copenhagen made the best ice creams, honestly they tasted fantastic! Getting to Sydney from Manly was so easy as our apartments faced the sea, located very within close proximity from Manly Quay. The ferry didn't take too long, but allowed us to see the sights each time we docked into Circular Quay. Whereas the hydrofoil was a much quicker option, but both modes of transport gave us a whole different experience. 

Toronga Zoo brought us closer to some of Australia's most iconic animals and marsupials. During our time at Toronga Zoo we saw Kangaroos, Koala Bears and Wombats! Our day at the zoo was great! Manly Beach was super, located opposite from our apartments we enjoyed many an afternoon swimming in the sea under the hot January sun. We took a day at the nearby by Shelly Beach, the weather was beautiful and the water was lovely! As we walked away from Shelly Beach we found a saltwater swimming pool overlooking the bay, a strange combination? Moving slightly south of Manly we took a day at Coogee Beach, the waves were huge so it was an exciting day to enjoy the sea, I have another beach to mention but shall save that for another time! Patience is most definitely a virtue!

I would like to leave things here because I still have so much more to express about my once-in-a-lifetime trip to Sydney, Australia. There will be one further blog publication very soon revealing more exciting parts of my visit to Australia! Sydney You Are Sensational !!! I Will Go Back There Someday !!! Part Two Coming Soon !!!
Joseph Harrison