Sydney

Day 8, Perth - Sydney

This morning we finally get to sleep in, our flight lets us take it easy. After a quick breakfast directly in the room, we reach the nearby airport, drop off the car (note that in all of Australia when you hand it back there's no one there to check for any damage, you go to the office in the terminal and hand over the keys, and you're told that the check will be done after the car is washed…a bad thing, but we had no surprises).

We lose the two hours of time difference and arrive in Sydney in the evening (Virgin flight, €143) flying over the illuminated city where we can make out the whole bay. With a taxi (about €15) we have ourselves taken to our hotel, where we'll stay for 3 nights. (Quality Cambridge, €86 with breakfast, indoor pool, accomline.com). We discover that the 3rd bed we requested is missing from the room and they offer us a new, more spacious and elegant room at no extra charge, with a nice view of the city's skyscrapers.

Day 9, Sydney

We wake up to a glorious day. The sky is deep blue, the air crisp but it's fine with a sweatshirt. On board the bus that takes us to Circular Quay we buy a "1 day Pass", (€10), which allows unlimited rides on all buses, metro and ferries in the central area. A real bargain, because the ferries make spectacular journeys comparable to those offered by tourist cruises.

Circular Quay is teeming with people and gives us the first spectacular view. In particular, going up to the top floor of the Passenger Terminal the view is breathtaking and you immediately sense that you're admiring one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Opposite is the city's symbol, the Opera House, surrounded by the splendid bay where the Harbour Bridge stands imposingly, while the coming and going of ferries reaches Circular Quay overlooked by imposing and elegant skyscrapers. On the opposite side opens the historic neighbourhood The Rocks, where we wander for half an hour. With a short walk we also reach the Opera House, up close it's truly imposing and sparkling. From Circular Quay we take the ferry that skirts the whole bay to arrive in 20 minutes at Watson Bay. A short walk leads to The Gap, where high cliffs dominate the Pacific Ocean.

Just yesterday we had the endless Indian Ocean in front of us….not bad!!!

From The Gap we take the bus and get off after about twenty minutes at Bondi Beach. The city's most famous beach presents itself with an enormous stretch of practically deserted sand, lapped by a deep blue sea with powerful waves ridden by surfers. A few daredevils are swimming without even a wetsuit, while we can barely take off our sweatshirts, warmed by a mild sun. The walk that goes from Bondi to Bronte Beach is truly splendid; it takes us about 30 minutes, among little coves, splendid bays, high cliffs and people jogging and doing exercise. From Bronte we take bus 378 which takes us back to the centre.

We spend the evening at Darling Harbour which offers the most beautiful skyline of the illuminated city, overlooked by tall skyscrapers and the distinctive Sydney Tower. We have dinner in a small restaurant that faces the bay, outdoors, warmed by patio heaters. At the end, we board a ferry that from Darling Harbour leads to Circular Quay, perhaps the cheapest and most spectacular cruise in the world, sailing in the bay, passing under the Harbour Bridge and alongside the Opera House, among the endless and magical lights of the city.

Day 10, Sydney

Today, just as splendid, we devote to the city centre. We cross Hyde Park to St Mary's Cathedral, which is about to be prepared in anticipation of the Pope's arrival. From here we continue on foot to the enchanting and enormous Royal Botanic Gardens, which we walk through entirely to Mrs Macquaries Point, from where you admire one of the most stunning views of Sydney. The gardens are famous for two reasons: the first for the signs inviting visitors to step on the grass, the second for the giant bats that hang upside down from the plants, and which when they take flight are truly impressive. Our walk continues towards the centre: we go along the pedestrian Martin Place, characterised by elegant and imposing buildings, up to the City Center monorail station, where we buy a daily pass (€14 family pass).

The monorail runs elevated between the streets of Sydney offering enchanting views and lets you get on and off in the various neighbourhoods. The first we visit is China Town, but it's perhaps the least characteristic Chinese city I've ever seen. We then visit the area of the Town Hall and the elegant Queen Victoria Building shopping centre, amid a frenetic coming and going of people strolling through the various shopping centres and businessmen. Finally we return to Darling Harbour, for a pleasant walk in the tourist port where the skyscrapers contrast with the deep blue of the sky, while the thermometer goes above 20 degrees….We thus say goodbye to wonderful Sydney, thanking it for the splendid weather that has accompanied us up to this point….