The Beginning : Day 1 & 2: SG-Sydney CBD : Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower, Darling Harbour & Royal Botanic Garden

Journal Entry 189

At last, some time to talk about my trip Down Under.

Sorry Nonya Girl - the earlier post on Matt was just a warm up - hahaha ~ ONLY now I have the time to really sit down and go slow on my entries. My two fav boys is fast asleep, so this gives me ample time to think and let it all out !

It has been my dream to travel to Australia. In fact, it was on my travel bucket list way back 5 yrs ago but the plan did not materialized & I went to Japan instead. Sad but true :(. Also, I did my studies locally therefore, the chance of living in another country was never there

So, the hubby & I decided to treat ourselves a getaway and yes~ a trip down to Kangaroo land. Did some research here & there and being lazy bumps ourselves - we opted for a group tour again. It was a Chinese guided tour - oh dear :( but it was okay - there was a local guide who tag along with us :). With this, our adventure begins :~~

Met up with our local guide Peter & he did all the paperwork for us. We boarded Silk Air as we had to transit in SG to board on SQ for the trip to Sydney. Took about an hr till we reached Changi airport. Boarded SQ at about 1am on board SQ A380. Gosh, it was definitely a very big double-decker widebody aircraft and we really 'chap tor' having been able to sit in such a huge plane for the first time:).

The journey from SG to Sydney took about 7 1/2 hrs and due to daylight savings, Sydney is 3hrs ahead of us and it was already noon when we arrived . Our local Chinese guide met us at the airport and took us for lunch immediately. Of course, we had our meal on board for supper and also breakfast.

Getting ready to board our plane

Menu up on air ~~~

Breakfast is served- Omelette with Sausage

Reached - Sydney Airport

Lunch was served at The Star Casino - located at Pyrmont, Sydney and is the second largest casino in Australia after Melbourne's Crown Casino. It is also overlooking Darling Harbour. There were plenty of choices (mostly ang-mor chiak) from the buffet spread. Had pastas and lambs ~ was still pretty full from the breakfast we had on board.

The Buffet Spread at The Stars Garden Buffet

Hubby's first meal in Sydney

After having a good lunch, we then proceed to Darling Harbour. The well known Darling Harbour is located at the city entre of Sydney and serves as a large recreational place for the locals. Saw a few people jogging around the area as well when we were there. The weather was pretty cooling as it rained earlier in the morning. Took some photos before we made the entry to Madame Tussauds which had recently opened in April this yr.

The Hubby & I at Darling Harbour

At Madame Tussauds- Looks like Nicholas Cage 

Jackie Chan :)

As it was still early to go on our harbour cruise, we dropped by Sydney Tower instead. Known as the Sydney Tower Eye, it is located within Sydney CBD on Market Street. Went up for a 4D cinema at the observation deck for a quick view of Sydney & we then proceed up to the tower.  

Me using the big telescope (not too sure on what it is called )

A part of Sydney

We took about half an hr there and we moved on to our harbour cruise which was scheduled to be in the evening. Our tour guide bought the tickets and off we went. It was really windy that day and not to mention cold too :(...was freezing ....no wonder the locals had their coats on !

Mua at Darling Harbour again - overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge

With the love of my life !

It was definitely windy !!!

On the boat 

The cruise took about an hr as it stopped by a few areas which includes Taronga Zoo but we didn't dropped by. Some passengers went on board the ferry. Went back to Circular Quay and we then proceed to Sydney Opera house - the iconic landmark of Australia. The most photographed place - I should say...

Overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Weird gloomy weather - dark clouds surrounding the sun

Surreal experience being in Sydney :)

Happy Hour for the locals

We were there for about 45 minutes & our next stop was the Royal Botanic Garden -where we get a glimpse of both the beautiful opera house and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The Royal Botanic Garden 

Mrs Macquarie Chair

Camera battery near to zero - double rainbow !!

The beautiful twins - Sydney Opera house and Harbour Bridge

I guess when you are on a tour - the norm is to squeeze as much as you can. Hahahaha..we actually called it a day with this and went back to our hotel for a cosy bath . Hardly slept the night on the plane and it was really tiring for both of us.

Ended our night at Chinatown and slept thru the night like a boss !

Our hotel for two nights at Wenthworth Avenue

Chinatown at Haymarket

Such a huge bowl - cost AUD 9.90 

Stay tune for Day 2: Sydney and Melbourne ~ going off to a 'lau tia meh' - tata !!