Sydders

When learning to speak Australian, or 'Stryne' - you have to do what the Brits do - and that means shorten or simplify every name, Dave is Davo, he lives in Darlinghurst, or Darvo, and that's in Sydders.

The names also get simplified for everything, the common Kangaroo species is the Eastern Kangaroo - out west same Kangaroo is Western Kangaroo, the north side of Sydney's beach area is simply Northern Beaches, you get the drift, it's very easy to learn their language... It's a beautiful day here!

 After 8.5 hours overnight from Singapore on a rather full A380, it was into Sydney, and the location of my hotel in 'Old Sydney'. Botany Bay, the site of the first Captain Cook landing is further south, here in Sydney Bay, the first settlement was right here next to one ferry quay, Circular Quay.

 The bridge is right bang next to my hotel and this large cruise ship.

 These spoonbills are in all the parks here.

 From the roof of the hotel.

 The bay is HUGE with lots of outcrops and lots of homes with waterfront, mile after mile - it's one reason why Sydders is so beautiful. The iconic bridge has its smaller cousin in my old hometown of Newcastle - it was built as a test of the design since it was so new at the time.

 Yep it's off level, but very English in Old Sydney.

 It's quite warm and humid, but less than Singapore... but it's clouding over !  :(

 And digeridoo music is everywhere!  bought 2 cd's.

 One aboriginal woman I had asked if they really were from the bush, she just said "nah love, not this lot." It was still funny though. Lots of shops selling real and aboriginal art - it's sad really, one shop is run by South East Asians near my hotel, prices high - you just know the artists get very little of that. Just like in Canada, it's sad!

Unfortunately a big thunderstorm came in, putting a damper on things - I seem to have that effect on places - and so the Chinese New Year and my Birthday were spent in doors :( Oh well, first time in Aussieland - I have lots of time!