The journey begins

Because of our rescheduled flights we have spent three days in Sydney and seen and done quite a lot in that short time. Again we are staying in the Haymarket district, close to Chinatown, Darling Harbour and Central Station and we began our adventure at the nearby Paddy's Market.

We followed this up with a long walk to the Australian Museum, the oldest in the country. Some of you may be aware that last year Penny researched and wrote articles on Ice Age Mammals and De-extinction. The Museum is currently hosting a special exhibition: Mammoths - Giants of the Ice Age, which we enjoyed immensely - particularly seeing Lyuba, the intact 42,000 year old baby mammoth discovered in the Siberian permafrost 11 years ago.

 

 

Lyuba

 

The oldest gallery at the Australian Museum,

housing 200 of their best exhibits over the years

That night we had a wonderful Chinese meal at the New Tail Yuen Restaurant in Chinatown, and wandered through the busy night markets.

The next day we walked to Circular Quay and beyond, via the magnificent Queen Victoria Building with its wonderful top floor Hobbyco shop where Jim purchased a tiny tin of paint for his model ships. We then walked underground through to the Pitt Street Mall, stopping for coffee and a brief foray into David Jones before continuing on.

In the Queen Victoria Building

That night we caught a shuttle to the famous SCG where we watched the North Melbourne Kangaroos narrowly beat the Sydney Swans in a fantastic AFL match. Naturally we were barracking for the Kangaroos and fortunately two other couples beside and behind us were as well, as the stands were literally a sea of red and white.

Our last day was spent around Darling Harbour where we happened upon the Sydney Korean Festival and watched a wonderful demonstration of Korean martial arts. Then we walked through the Harbourside complex and on to Cockle Bay Wharf, dining in style at Nick's Seafood Restaurant.

 

At the Sydney Korean Festival

 

Darling Harbour

Nick's Seafood Restaurant at Cockle Bay Wharf

Its been a pretty hectic three days and we have an early start tomorrow - and then 14.5 hours in the air!