Sydney. The beginning...

Jet lag?!?! Does waking up at 5:30am count as jet lag? That's what the last 2 mornings have brought! Fortunately this morning I returned to sleep until a more reasonable 7:30! 

Determined to use these early mornings I've set off out early. Yesterday I aimed to open my bank account but was at the bank before it opened. While I waited I wandered round the Town Hall and found it was flying a rainbow flag. Still have got to the bottom of why though? 

After the bank I headed back to the hostel to venture out on an 11am walking tour. Although I was aware that it was a fair distance, I wasn't expecting to be out until around 3:15pm!  The highlights included: Hyde Park, Anzac memorial, the art gallery, botanical gardens, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Pyrmont Bridge and China Town. Photo of the tour has to be the obligatory harbour selfie as well as a more standard photo!

Surrounded by shops, bars and park, the harbour area was particularly nice so I went back in the evening for dinner, forgetting it was Friday evening so a lot of places were full of suited businessmen having a post-work drink. As it was dark, I managed another view of the opera house. 

We past some amazing buildings so I decided to take a similar walk today (Saturday) but at my own leisure, photographing and drawing along my way. 

Anzac Memorial

Westfield tower 

St Mary's Cathedral...

...and a detail. 

Captain Cook

Art Gallery of NSW...

...and my take on it. 

And an arty farty one if the Opera House. 

Strolling round the botanical gardens in my shades and tshirt it was really difficult to believe it's winter. Beautifully warm and blue skies.  Unlike England and this sign was also unlike the 'Keep off the grass' signs you usually find in parks. 

After some lunch at circular quay I headed past the Museum of Contemporary Arts and into The Rocks. The area had a really laid back feel and a couple of streets were lined with interesting market stalls selling food, jewellery, clothes, artwork... I found a cool busker so joined a few other audience members sitting on the curb to enjoy his songs. One of the streets had table football built into large structures and I noticed the road name was Playfair Street. 

By now, my feet were beginning to moan so I caught the train back to Central Station which reminds me of Penn Station in New York. I don't think I've come out the same way yet! 

I felt pretty shattered and soon fell asleep, it was a struggle to wake up again for dinner before setting off with a few others to see some fireworks in Darling Harbour. Amazingly they're free every Saturday and they were very impressive. 

As we neared Sydney, several rock islets appeared, some rising like ruined forts and castles and richly adorned with verdant shrubs down to the edge of the broght, clear deep blue water... Close to the town is the beautiful Domain, a most picturesque, rocky promontory, thickly wooded and laid out in fine smooth drives and walks, commanding most exquisite views of Sydney and its environs. - Louisa Meredeth, 1839