Day 43 - Sydney, Australia

Previously on Bean about the World... Aaron's research has badly let him down as it turns out you do need a visa pre arrival when visiting Australia. Worried faces, hearts beating fast we ask the check in staff if there is anything we can do? (Especially as it's Sunday tomorrow so no embassies will be open). 

Alas, all this drama turns out to be pretty straight forward but not before a pretty worrying 15 mins of getting the manager, her making some enquiries and getting our details. After having a little heart attack it turns out from Bali you can pay $50 for an immediate emergency Visa. Job done. Cue utter relief and another item for the to do list... Recheck all visa requirements at least a week before and wait for the deserved piss take messages from Karl!

The flight was a bit of a killer. It was the red eye, leaving at 10.30 and landing in Sydney at about 7.30am. A six hour flight with three hour time difference. 

The problem is that for the first three hours solid we have pretty bad turbulence as there is a huge weather system (tropical cyclone Christine) moving across northern Australia which we pick up a fair amount of. Not ideal for sleeping. So we only get about an hour and a half of sleep. It was also ridiculously windy landing in Sydney with winds up to 86mph which made landing interesting too. Nat's poor stomach was doing back flips. 

Amazing how sparse, big and flat most of Australia is. We flew for hours over absolutely nothing. The view coming into Sydney was awesome though. For once we were sat on the right side of the plane to get the views. 

The white spec in the middle of this pic is the Opera House with the Harbour Bridge in the back ground. 

Closer up version. 

I think this is the cricket stadium where were are getting trounced today. 

Pulling up next to the A380. What a monster that plane is.

Now for the moment of truth. Getting through customs. Turns out to be one of the easiest exits from an airport ever. Straight through the e-passport bit (no queue) and out. No issues to our great relief. Even the double decker train into Central station was a delight.

We are staying in the Novotel near Central station for a couple of nights and then with our friends Nick and Rachel for a couple of nights who live in Bondi beach.

Greeted by our office on arrival at our hotel. 

Obviously with it being about 9am now it's far to early to check in so we dump our stuff and head out to explore. 

Looking at a map you would not be a fool for thinking you are in London. It's like we tried to build a duplicate city here with the likes of Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Kings Cross, Paddington, Bayswater, Surrey (Hills), Liverpool Street, Regents Street, even St Mary's Catherdral looks lIke Westminster Abbey. The list is endless. 

We head to Surrey Hills for breakfast which is a gorgeous area that reminded us a little of San Francisco with the tree lined streets, quaint architecture and lots of lovely cafés and restaurants. We had breakfast at a very popular, gorgeous little place called Four Ate Five (ie 485) on Crown Street sat at a nice little table on the street. We both have the salmon and avocado stack with poached eggs and ricotta. Delicious and just what we needed. 

We then head north towards Hyde Park and the Opera House. We take stock with very hard to come by free wifi access at a lovely little cafe in Hyde Park called Metro St James' (naturally). Out of everywhere we have been including remotest Lao this city has been poorest for wifi access. So hard to come by. Our hotel annoys us by trying to charge $15 per day for access. In this day and age that is unacceptable. It's like charging for water!

The park looks beautiful. We had such a lovely stroll. The weather is lovely despite the wind. It's nice not sweating due to the humidity for a change. Mid-high 20s. 

After, we continue north until we get to the Harbour Bridge which looks spectacular. 

And then a little but further around the corner the Opera House. What a sight. Still can't believe we are here looking at such an iconic building and being the furthest away from home we have ever been.  It's actually smaller than I was expecting though. 

Operatic selfie. 

By this time we are pretty pooped so head back to the hotel through the Royal Botanic Garden which is gorgeous and past Government House. All the trees in the garden are so different and amazing to look at. 

So many Michael Jackson crossing signs in Sydney...

After getting the rudest and most idiotic taxi driver on the planet on the way back who got arsey because I insisted on him using the meter, then because I gave him a $50 note (about £25) and because I didn't 'preempt' where we were going to stop (what with me not knowing where we are going and all) and have my money ready. To top it off he said that Nat should only speak when she is spoken to and he would only speak to the man. The cheek of the guy. Must live in the dark ages - bet you can imagine how well that went down!! Almost had to drag her off him ha ha! 

After a well needed kip we head towards Darling Harbour / Pyrmont way for a walk around. Stumbled on this fella there and enjoyed a quick beer overlooking the harbour. That is seven now. Definitely finding a post office tomorrow. 

We have a great new beer called Fat Yak Pale Ale which is very tasty. Will be having a lot more of these! We then spent the rest of the evening exploring the city, heading up George Street to the Rocks (oldest part of the city under the bridge), then back through the Circular Quay to enjoy some more fantastic scenery by night. 

We actually struggle to find a good value place to eat around here and end up nearly running out of time as most places stop serving at 9.30pm. As a last resort we end up back at Darling Harbour at a place called Blackbird. Nothing special but a decent pizza. After that we walk back home through China Town and Paddy Market which is right next to our hotel.

We have walked some miles today! Sydney is a lovely city. Can't wait for our gorgeous hotel bed. 

PS. So so glad I didn't get tickets for the 4th day of the fourth Ashes test now seeing as it didn't even get to day four!!