Exploring Australia&NZ Day 11

Day 11 - Tuesday, April 26, 2011 - Visit Koala Park Sanctuary; Drive to Sydney's Northern Beaches; Stop at Manly; Late Afternoon at Leisure

We woke up at 6:30 and the sun was trying to peek through the clouds. By 7:00 when we received our wake-up call it was raining again. The temperature was 64º and over 90% humidity.

Juliano was our driver again this morning and we left the hotel at 8:30 for our drive to the Northern suburbs of Sydney. Today was another government holiday so the banks were all closed but the shops were opening.

There were many people on the streets this morning but the military people all seemed to be sleeping in after their late night celebrations – are we getting old?

As we drove out of town, Leigh pointed out places to eat and things to do during our free time while we are in the city. There are many historical landmarks that are beginning to look familiar as this is our third day in Sydney.

We drove west over the ANZAC Bridge and then out of the city to the Olympic Park and facilities built for the 2000 Sydney Games. The grounds are often utilized for athletic competitions and exhibits.

The Easter County Show and Fair was being held this weekend and many families were coming in to the grounds to see the exhibits, livestock, and the carnival. This seems to be similar to our late summer State Fairs in the USA.

We arrived at our morning’s quest, the Koala Park Sanctuary at 10:15. Leigh directed us right to the Sheep Shearing Shed and our guide Kevin showed us the art of sheep shearing. The highlight of the demo was watching his Border Collie round up the sheep and direct them into the corner of the pen.

Leigh continued our tour of the grounds where we saw dingoes, wallabies, kangaroos, and koalas. He gave us treats for the kangaroos and we were able to feed them a type of chopped dry grass – they loved it!

When we got to the koala sanctuary in a eucalyptus grove, the keeper gave us information about the little critters and each couple was able to have a picture taken with a very sweet and very uncomplaining Koala.

Saying goodbye to the koalas at 12:30, we drove along Sydney's Northern Beaches seeing the beautiful multimillion dollar homes balanced precariously along the rock shores.

The homes have gorgeous well kept gardens and wild cockatoos were perched on many of the flowering trees. The deciduous trees are just starting to show their fall colors which are in vivid contrast to the lush green of this landscape.

Juliano made several photo stops along the stunning beaches surrounded by Sydney Harbor National Park. Two of the stops were at South Curl Curl and Freshwater Beach. The best panoramic view was at the Cliffs of North Head where we could see Sydney Harbor and the city skyline.

Arriving at the fashionable beach town Manly, we had time for kabobs for lunch with Jim & Mary Ann and Jerry & Nancy.

We wandered around the pedestrian way shops and then to the cove on the other side of this narrow strip of land between the Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. I also took some photos of Manly Beach.

Everyone seemed to be ready to get back to the hotel so we left at 4:00 for the short drive to the city center and our hotel. A few people were going to the Opera House for the Ballet tonight.

We spent a relaxing evening and from our 28th story room we watched the torrential rains fall on the city below.

Accommodations: Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney - - - Meals: Breakfast

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