I've been staying in the centre of Sydney for the past six days. I've done the harbour (sorry about all the photos, it's hard to stop once you get going, but at least there are a couple of me for a change) and some of the galleries and museums. I took the tour of opera house and it's the most stunning building I have ever seen, inside and out.
I've spent a bit of time getting to grips with the Sydney hostel scene. I think two and a half years at my former employer was ideal training for dealing with a few hundred lazy, inconsiderate backpackers in the one building. The kitchen isn't quite as bad, but nearly, and I might gleefully throttle my nocturnal dorm companion before I leave. But apparently it's all part of the fun.
I've walked around the town but I haven't been to the suburbs, so I will have to do that when I come back in December. We took the train to the Blue Mountains yesterday. The views were lovely, although they don't look much in the photies.
Sydney is exceptionally familiar. It's like so many big cities I've already been to. It's gorgeous when the sun shines, the people are friendly and polite and I've enjoyed my time here, but it's time to move on. There's a great big country out there to see. From here it's up the east coast tomorrow on the greyhound bus. Next stop is Byron Bay.
