Ambien CR is a must, so is a bag full of snacks, because the crap food they give you on a nearly 15 hour flight wont get you through it. We touched down in Sydney, made our way through customs without a hitch, and our ride arrived shortly after to wisk us away. Todd knows a guy named David through work, and he was gracious enough to come and pick us up and take us to his home in Manly. Its a little north of the actual town of Sydney. The house overlooks red cliffs (think La Jolla). We showered and had breakfast right on the beach front with David, his wife Louis, and one of their three sons, Eric. A surf/swim/kayak competition was going on right there on Manyl beach, so we took a while to take that in before heading back to their home. David then took us to get settled into our hotel in Sydney. Grandma and Papa are letting us stay in their time share - its right downtown, near Chinatown. We checked into our room and decided against taking that nap that i so needed and wanted. Instead we took a stroll down to the Circular Quary and walked around near the ferry terminals.
OK - who watches WHALE WARS? Now, at first this show was cool, but then i was like - why are these freaks putting people before whales? Anyways, if you havent seen the show, you wont care about what happened next. So we're walking down the boardwalk and Todd looks up and low and behold THERE IS THE STEVE IRWIN! Ha, the their ship is currently docked in the Sydney Harbour. Apparently funding is low, so their docked until December when they'll retunr to the Ocean to put lives at risk to save the whales. Seriously, if you havent seen the show, watch it.
We caught a ferry back to Manly where we have been treated like family. Its Davids middle sons 24th birthday, there are probably 20 Australian surfer boys eating sausages and drinking beer (im really wishing my girlfriends were here - trust me, youd likee!) We're drinking and eating a ton of meat - and loving life. We cant believe we are here, and Todd has already asked if we can please move here.
Words to describe Sydney - Clean, laid back, welcoming, patriotic.
More to come soon. Moms and dads, we are here safe! We will check in soon.
Sounds awesome!! I'm secretly laughing at the "birthday party" and thinking of my souvenir. ;)
ReplyDeletesince you're not here ... my sister is getting all the random texts from me.. she's probably wondering why I just text her to say I'm tired. =)
have fun.... =D Excited to hear more!