Exploring a new city is always exciting. Seeing sites you've only seen on TV or in books. Checking destinations off your "
travel bucketlist".
When is the last time you were a "tourist'?
Last Friday I had the day off from sharing my love for fitness and decided to see some of Sydney. After an initial monorail snafu - the monorail does NOT go to the Opera house FYI - I ended up at Darling Harbor.
The harbor was filled with families and tourists enjoyed the sunny, cool day. I immediately had a "Finding Nemo" moment at the pier. Anybody?
"Mine, mine, mine, mine!" I had to call my mom to share the laugh!
I decided the best way to see Sydney was aboard a hop-off hop-on ferry, thus the Captain Cook became my vessel for the day. (at least I got a coupon for the ferry with my monorail ticket)
We had beautiful views leaving Darling Harbor.
Our first stop was Circular Quay home of the famous Sydney Opera House. It really is gorgeous.
I opted to stay on the boat here and head further away to Watson's Bay.
I heard it was a great spot for a seafood lunch and it's home to Doyle's a very famous seafood restaurant.
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| Doyle's Seafood- look at the cute kids playing in the water. |
Using my genius logic, I opted to eat at the place next to Doyle's thinking the wait would be less. In Australia in many places you order your food, pay, and then sit down and wait for it to be ready. It's a different concept to the full-service restaurants I'm used to in America. I didn't mind waiting, I had a great view.
However I did wait about 45 minutes for lunch and ended up getting my lunch for free. Score! I enjoyed delicious swordfish and a simple salad.
While at Watson's Bay I took a hike to visit "The Gap".
It's one of the most gorgeous places I've ever seen. Just breathtaking.
Once back aboard the ferry I had one more stop I wanted to make - the Sydney Harbor bridge.
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| The Opera House from the bridge. |
For a while I was toying with the idea of doing the "Bridge Climb" where you walk on top of the bridge, however it's about $200 so I'm not sure if it's worth it.
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| People climbing the bridge. |
I walked halfway across the bridge and had time for a quick photo stop before my ferry came back.
It was bittersweet enjoying all these sites without Kyle, however I'm so grateful that I had a chance to see so many amazing things in Sydney.
If you've been to Sydney I'd love your opinion - would you do the Opera House tour? Climb the bridge? Am I missing a great tourist spot?
On my agenda I have a trip to the rocks, a run through the Botanical garden, the Taronga Zoo, and possibly the aquarium.
Love and still no kangaroos,
Carissa & Kyle
