Day 3: Sydney Suburb : Bondi Beach, Sydney Fish Market, DFO Homebush, Olympic & Koala Park

Journal Entry 190

Day 3 in Sydney were spent exploring the outskirt area. Our supposedly trip to Blue Mountains had to be cancelled due to the strange weather that day. Strong winds & unexpected snow deterred us from taking the cable car. Darn, there goes our chance of visiting the mountain . We were pretty disappointed but I guess we just can't go against nature at times :(.

We started our journey at 8.30am (Sydney time) which translates to 5.30am M'sia time. Gosh ~~ We were indeed sleepy and we had to drag ourselves for breakfast ! First stop was at Bondi beach which was located at the east coast of Sydney. It was practically freezing when we went down our van. The strong wind added to our misery :( - can't even stand still. Anyways, the beach was pretty empty as it was so cold !! Just saw a few people surfing - that's it !

View of Bondi beach

We took about 10 minutes and then proceed to our next destination - Sydney Fish Market. Located at Blackwattle Bay, in the Inner West suburb of Pyrmont, the market is known as the world's third largest fish market. Well, you have all types of seafood there and the best part was we had a chance to see how they prepared it too.

Sydney Fish Market

Seafood platter - all well prepared

King crab - AUD34.99

Different types of cheese

We didn't buy anything there as it was quite pricey & also, we don't really fancy seafood that much. With that, we continued our journey to do some shopping while we wait for further confirmation from the local guide on the trip to Blue Mountains. We went to the factory outlet in Homebush ~ located about 14 km west of Sydney CBD. The place looks more of like any other hypermarkets in Penang ~ err...more of like a large-floor warehouse building being partitioned into smaller retails stores.

Again, we didn't buy anything except for some sweaters to prepare for Philip Island & the crazy weather - heheh !!!-

Matt Boy is too big for Pumpkin Patch - so didn't buy :(

The hubby with Captain America

Took about an hr there when we heard thunderstorm and heavy raindrops. Bang ! There goes our luck with nature. Our trip to Blue Mountains had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. So, to replace this - we had to opt for another tour to Koala Park at West Pennant Hills. On our way to the park, we stopped by at a Chinese restaurant for buffet and it was really cheap. Hehehe....the thing about tour group - will always have buffet all day long.

After our heavy lunch, we proceed to Koala Park & the rain just won't stop.We had to put on our newly bought sweaters so that we don't feel the chill (it was really cold !!). It was my first time seeing a Koala and we were pretty eager to touch it. Lovely, adorable creatures & their favourite is definitely sleeping. Well, it is actually the effect of the eucalyptus leaves and they get drowsy after eating it....I must say they have lovely furs too !

Alex with Koala Daisy - look at the fur....")")

Me with Daisy -

The hubby & I

Apart from the koalas, there were several other animals that was at the place. Caught up with a sheep shearer and he did a demo for us. As it was really cold, we stopped by a fire pit to warm up our body before we sat down for the show.

The sheep shearer showing off his skills

The warmth from the fire pit

We spent about about an hr at the park and went up our van for another hr's drive back to the city to visit the Olympic stadium. It was a tiring day so we slept for a while till we reached.

All the other animals in Australia

It was about 5pm in the evening when we reached the city centre. We dropped by the ANZ Stadium located at Sydney Olympic Park at Edwin Flack Avenue. Sydney was the Olympic 2000 host and this was the main stadium that was used . As the weather was still very windy and cold, I went down for a while to take a few photos here and there and the hubby stayed a bit longer. The place was pretty empty with a few people doing their evening jogs there.

ANZ Stadium also known as the Olympic Stadium

The volunteer's name - being crafted on every single pole in front of the stadium

All done, we went back to Sydney CBD for our dinner at Market City next to Haystreet. We had Chinese food again - yes -I know ~ it feels as if I am China rather than in Sydney. Trust me, next time if I were to visit Sydney again - I owe myself a good treat on the local food there ! After dinner, we then went to visit the fishes at Sydney Aquarium located at Darling Harbour.

Paddy's Market at Market City

Standing on the tram line :):)

Corals at Sydney Aquarium

Done with the fishes, our local Sydney tour guide then took us for some photo shoots at Milson Point. We were being informed that it was the best place to take a panoramic view of Sydney city's skyline alongside Sydney Opera House. Took a group photo there as it was simply beautiful. That done, it is time to go back ~ drove along Oxford Street before we reached the hotel and called it a day !