Good story so far.....waiting for the rest!

Carol, there were some great views from the zoo. It's certainly a prime real estate spot those animals should count themselves lucky to live there.

Thanks Bokhara2, I wish I was still there!

Thanks margo

Day 4
Solo breakfast as Tony had left early for work.
The plan was to go to Spit on the ferry and then walk to Manly but the weather wasn't exactly cooperating for the first time and I got wet just walking down to the Quay.

The sun came out again and I made a quick decision to take the bus to Bondi again and take the coastal walk to Bronte that I'd skipped out on the day before.
The bus driver barely glanced at my hand written 'ticket' and waved me on and I enjoyed the bus journey a second time as I now knew where I was going.
I liked picking out imaginary suitable places to live along the route and the choice improved along the stretch on the hill above Bondi. Flats with views!

After a quick walk down to the beach I hesitated before setting out as it was windier than the day before and no one was in the water. Yesterday I'd seen several surfers in the water but today the sea was deserted.
I shopped at a store called 'Between the Flags' as it displayed a shirt with 'Applecrumble and Fish' on the front. An obvious play on the American company name of Abercrombie and Fitch which made me laugh and I bought a t-shirt for each of my children.

Now I had an extra bag to take on the walk! Anyway I enjoyed it. The start was difficult as I was walking headlong into a seriously strong wind. It was the type that you could lean into and feel supported. The eye candy along the path was interesting. Lots of attractive male joggers making the 'walk' look easy.
Fantastic views of the coastline and I took many photos then returned the same way just as a rainbow came out.

I stopped for coffee at Crabbe Hole at the Bondi Iceburgs pool overlooking the beach. Beautiful view

It started to rain again quite heavily as I made my way to the bus stop and several people had the same idea. The bus filled up quickly and I stood for the first part of the trip back to CBD.

Rather than returning to the Quay I jumped off before that but I'd misjudged it slightly and still had to walk for 10 minutes to the Westin.

I had an hour or so to get ready before I had to leave again to meet Bokhara at the NSW Art Gallery.

more later!

The Bondi trip sounds lovely, other than the windy conditions. I'll have to put this on my to-do list for the NEXT time I'm in Sydney. I have only ONE full 'free' day on this upcoming trip, and I really want to do Manly and shop along Pitt and David Jones and the QVB, etc etc.... Too much to do and too little time to do it.

Your photos are really great! I have enjoyed them at least twice now.

Carol

Carol, I did enjoy the coastal walk from Bondi despite the wind and I imagine the path gets crowded during better weather so I appreciated the relative lack of walkers and runners.

I met Bokhara at the Art Bar inside the Art Gallery of NSW for a glass of wine and we chatted until it was time for the Biennale talk.
One of the co curators from Canada was present and he attempted to answer some difficult questions. Perhaps it wasn't the right time or place to ask 'which are your favourite pieces' in front of an audience that includes some of the artists!

After the talk Bokhara showed me around a few sections of the gallery including some of the biennale installations. We were having such a good time that when she suggested dinner I was more than pleased to say yes with the warning that I might fall asleep at any moment as due to jet lag I'd been in bed every night by 9pm and up before dawn.

After a quick tour by night of Sydney we ended up at The Macleay St Bistro in Potts Point/ Kings Cross area. Food, wine and conversation were all enjoyed and a hearty thank you to Bokhara for introducing me to this little local gem.
Apparently this area is not recommended after dark but we survived unscathed.
Bokhara very kindly dropped me off at my hotel and I was very surprised to be awake at midnight as my bus pass was slipped under the door!

Day 5

The next morning I had a bit of a lie in until 7 and after a lazy breakfast I left for Wharf 4 for the ferry to Watson's Bay.
Again the weather was very changeable but I enjoyed the short ferry ride and fantastic views to this old fishing village.
I walked through the park and up to Gap Bluff then along the cliffside walk. Beautiful views in both directions.. crashing ocean waves on one side and distant views of Sydney with a beach in the foreground in the other direction. I didn't know which way to look or point my camera!

Took the ferry back less than 2 hours later and after a coffee I caught the free ferry to Cockatoo Island. Wished I'd just jumped on the regular ferry as I had mymultipass as this ferry was delayed and I waited half an hour...
I spent an hour on the island taking a quick look at some of the art installations, having another coffee and then headed back via the paid ferry to the Westin as Tony was 'home' early.

Day 6
My last full day. Up early as Tony wanted to walk to the Opera House before breakfast. It rained lightly but that meant no one was around and we took photos of rainbows over Sydney.
T left after breakfast for the airport as he was going home a day before me and I wandered around the Rocks area ending up at the MCA where I had lunch at the rooftop restaurant (thanks susan7 for the rec the views were wonderful and the food was very good too!).
I had an interesting salad with a glass of wine.

The day seemed to disappear and I had an early dinner at the Opera Bar at sunset and then walked back to the hotel to pack and relax.

Day 7
I left at 9am the following morning and got home at 9pm that night after many hours in transit that seemed to disappear technically but my body felt them!

the end.. I hope to return before the end of 2013, the sooner the better!

Hi from Sydney, Sassy_cat. I arrived here just this morning, coming in from about a week in Bangkok. The weather here is delightful today. Hope it holds!!

I had a nice stroll today (with friend and baby girl) around the Rocks, Circular Quay, and all the way to Darling Harbour. It was a nice day for a stroll.

My room at Marriott Circular Quay is on 31st floor, but it does not have either a harbour bridge or opera house view. But that's OK. I have access to the Club Lounge and the view from there is nice.

I was told I was upgraded when I checked in today, so I'm not sure what I would have gotten without the upgrade... probably a lower floor room? Anyway, I'm here for one night and then off with friends to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley for a few days. I will return to Sydney on Sunday night, and will have Monday the 30th to take the Manly ferry and maybe do a bit of shopping on Pitt Street.

Good to be back in Sydney! I can see that you enjoyed your visit and are planning for a return. This is #8 for me. My husband has yet to come here. I've done 5 of my 8 trips as a solo traveller, and on the other 3 of them I had fellow teacher friends come along with me.

I won't be doing a trip report here, but I wanted to check in and let you know that I made it here, and I wanted to tell you about my room at Marriott. It is in a really great location. You are right about that. I've stayed in Darling Harbour my last 4-5 trips, so this is a totally new location for me.

Hi Carol

May I ask which location you prefer - Darling Harbour or the Marriott? And which hotel you stayed in at Darling Harbour?

You probably won't have formed an opinion yet, but would be grateful if you'd post your impressions later. I'm interested in things like restaurants & other facilities as well the location itself, proximity to the places you want/need to visit, etc.

As a local, I'm too familiar to have an objective view, so would be really interesting & useful to have one from someone who has been here enough to know the layout & way the CBD works, and who also has the fresh eyes of a visitor.

I'm glad we've turned on some nice weather for you & hope the HV does likewise. Hot air ballooning is always good up there - would be spectacular with this clear air, if a bit nippy!

Good morning, Bokhara2. I can't yet make the decision of which area I prefer. After my HV trip and Newcastle visit, I will be back here at Marriott and have the time for exploring the area.

Today I will check out by 2pm so I can't get too far away, I don't suppose. There is certainly plenty going on right in this vicinity, including boat rides, which I always enjoy.

I've got my opera house view for the last two nights in Sydney. Manly today (and a bit of shopping Pitt St) and then off to SFO and then ORD tomorrow.

Carol, that's wonderful, enjoy!

I just got back from Arizona and I still haven't unpacked my case from my Sydney trip so I'm doing laundry for the next two days.. I'd really like to swap places with you.

Sassy_cat, it has really turned chilly here in Sydney. Brrrr! I'm ready to head back to hot-hot-hot Chicago, I think. NYC will be in less than two weeks, so I'll have to unpack and pack again.

Manly was chilly but sunny. Very windy as well. The ferry was really rockin' in that wind!

It was a tad fresh today and that sneaky southerly made it even cooler. I'd be packing my bags for warmer climes if I could,too! 10c at 18:45 according to my car.

Sassy_cat - I've lost your email address - could you let me have it again, please?

Carol, wishing you a safe trip home
42 C/108 F was a little too hot for me in Phoenix but at least they're prepared for it with strategically placed jets of mist around the pool bar!
I'm glad it's cooler here in Mass though.

Bokhara2, I've sent you an email.. stay warm!

Packing up this morning. I will head to the airport about noon. I'm going to browse the shops at the airport and then head to the first class lounge for a bit before heading off to SFO. I love first class frequent flier miles tickets!!!