Sydney Sights

Earlier this week we visited Sydney spending two nights at Darling Harbour. It was a great location and a short walk to the waterfront and ferry warf, making it easy to travel around the harbour area. It was also beside China town with neat little shops and restaurants. Sydney is one of the most beautiful city's in the world. It's fascinating watching all the activities on the water, from ferry boats, to sail boats and private yachts, to cruise ships coming into port with all the visiting passengers. Up above you can see helicopters and airplanes coming over.

Boys learning about Australian Aboriginal traditions

It was overcast and rainy the first day we arrived, but that didn't slow us down from jumping on the ferry for a quick runabout around the harbour. We saw the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Nana and Papa

Cruise Ships arrive at Circular Quay in Sydney

Can you name this famous building?

If you zoom in, you might see some climbers on the top of the bridge

Baby Octopus, Yummy!

After checking into our hotel and dropping off our bags, we made our way to the Sydney Fish Market. It was really interesting to see all the delicious sea food that we normally don't get back in Canada.

Malcolm loved the variety of food at the fish market

The fish market is huge with lots of different stands to buy whatever seafood you like. After wandering through the market we decided to get some lunch here. Mum and Dad ordered a seafood variety plate to share with everything on it - lobster, crab, squid, octopus, oysters, scallops, and so much more. The kids were a little timid to try some of things at the beginning, but after some persuasion they found some courage and had great fun tasting all the different seafood. It was really funny watching them eat baby octopus!

Sean deciding on what to have for lunch

Funny looking seagulls in Australia. 

Say cheese!

Australia has the best playgrounds

Malcolm taking in the sights of Darling Harbour

The next day we went to the Sydney Aquarium and learned all about the ocean and the different species of fish that live in it. There was one part of the aquarium where you walk through a tunnel with fish swimming all around you and even over your head. We saw a few sharks there too!

Darling Harbour in Sydney

zoom in to see climbers on bridge

lots of ferry boats on the harbour

Kieran joined the street performing show

Checking out Darling Harbour

Australian rainbow

Excited to be in Australia

Uncle Chris came into the city to meet us for dinner that night. We all decided to venture into China Town to try something new. After walking up and down the road for some time, we settled on a Korean Barbeque restaurant. The food is cooked in a little fire-pit on your table. The meat and seafood are all chopped up into little pieces and you can add them to your individual plate. Lots of spices and sauces, some really hot, are on the table. It was a big experience watching the boys devour all this strange food in such a different setting. Great fun. Again, baby octopus was on the menu, but this time in a very hot sauce. Kieran and Malcolm were brave enough to try this, but than almost ran out the door from their mouths burning! Papa noticed the fire hose on the wall which he almost reached for.

Malcolm, Kieran, and Uncle Chris

Delicious flavours 

Good times

Everyone had a great time at the Korean BBQ restaurant  

Nana and Papa married over 50 yrs. Words of advice for soon to be groom!

The last day in Sydney we took the Manly ferry boat to Manly Beach, about 30 minute ride across the harbour. It is just inside the harbour so it has big ocean surf. Manly is one of the most famous beaches in Sydney - Sydney has a huge number of beaches. Manley is an old town which is now part of the huge city of Sydney. It is astonishing that in this big country, the same size as the USA, that 1/3 of Australia's population live in Sydney.

They said to keep arms and legs in ferry at all times, but they didn't say anything about my head!

Papa and Sean arrive in Manly Beach

Surfers at Manly Beach

Beautiful day at Manly Beach

Manly Beach

The boys went into the ocean. Eamon was more adventurous going out closer to the big waves, while Malcolm, Kieran, and Sean stayed a little closer to the shore. Quite wise, because the lifeguards were patrolling the deep water on a jet ski monitoring the rip tides. Rip tides are the back flow (current) from the waves on the beach which can easily pull the strongest swimmer out to sea. The lifeguards also have a big loud speaker sound system  which they use to communicate with everyone in the water warning them of any danger. They also have helicopters above patrolling the beaches for sharks.

Two boys who love the ocean

Helicopter patrol

Mum and her boys at Manly

Future Lifeguards?

Checking out Manly Beach

After a great few days in Sydney, we took the train back up to Aunt Mary's near Newcastle.


Kieran and Sean Kelly

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