[Cafe` life in Sydney]

[Sydney's 'Rocks' district]

After a fitful night, we got up at 9am, and spent two hours re-packing and organising our itinerary for Sydney, before checking out. We abandoned our luggage at the hotel, and walked around The Rocks, the old area of Sydney we were staying in. It feels very Mediterranean, colourful, with small alleys and bendy roads. Shockingly, you occasionally turn a corner to see a glimpse of the contrasting Harbour Bridge. We walked around the touristy market, and picked up our first souvenirs to lug 20,000 miles. We swank-brunched, overlooking the Harbour, and walked to and around the Opera House. It was warm enough for t-shirts, despite being southern Australia in winter, and beautifully sunny. The Opera House is far bigger than you'd expect, and just as amazing close up. It really does sparkle, and everywhere you look it's asthetically pleasing.

[Climbers on the roof]

[The Opera House]

[Detail]

[Tiling]

[Walkway through the middle]

[View from the Opera House over the harbour]

[Cathy waits patiently]

[The Botanical Gardens, which contain...]

[...Fruit Bats]

We caught a tractor train round the Botanic Garden, full of Australian flora, and fruit bats! We walked down past the old Parliament House and official buildings, towards the AMP Tower, which gives panoramic views. Sydney has a contrasting aura of excitement and relaxation. You can sit and people watch, everyone seems to be smiling, strolling and enjoying. Perhaps we should try going out in rush hour.

The AMP tower is visible from all around the centre. Walking towards it we found ourselves walking past a water vapour fountain, spraying passers-by. Another feature of Sydney seems to be water features everywhere - innovative, attractive and interesting ones. This city has been carefully planned.

[Freaky water-vapour squirty thing]

We caught a lift up the tower, pausing to watch the Introduction to Australia show, which had projected characters interacting with scenary, to show you Australia's varied ecosystems. Then a simulator ride throughout the country, from mountains, to oceans, desert, cities and beaches. A fantastic, if kitsch, invitation to explore.

[A view of the harbour from the AMP tower]

[More harbour]

[Those tourists, swarming the AMP tower]

[The city, showing the monorail]

[Darling Harbour]

The view is indescribable, 360deg of beauty, contrast, and never-ending interest. Pacific Ocean to the East, Blue Mountains to the West, skyscrapers, harbour and parks completed the view, with a glimpse of desert in the background. Satisfied after an hour's staring, we caught the monorail to the Chinese Garden, which was unfortunately closed. However, we walked around Darling Harbour, at dusk.

[Darling Harbour]

[Darling Harbour by night]

Sydney has a real outside culture, not just tourists, but locals too. The harbour was buzzing with music, children, food, boats, lights, trees and a general sense of conviviality. We caught a boat back to Circular Quay, seeing the harbour in the dark, which gives a completely different feel to the city - more cosmopolitan, exciting and awake.

My foot was pretty sore by then, so Iain carried all our baggage (we bought too much), whilst I rested, then we caught a train to the YHA. The hostel is like a hotel, 500 beds, pool, sauna, internet cafe (where I type this). We had a double en-suite for UKP 12 pp pn - bargain. Fell asleep at 10pm, exhausted, but excited by the rest of the holiday to come.

[The Opera House all lit up]

[Rather wobbly Harbour Bridge]

I've fallen in love with Sydney's atmosphere, contrast of parks and skyscrapers, and beauty. I can see why my brother lived here; I could happily stay. However, we have two days left then we travel to Melbourne. So far Australia has far exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high. I can see it as a place we revisit time and time again.

Sorry to ramble on, please stick with reading this - we've got some amazing adventures planned!