Land of Oz - Sydney

Two days were woefully inadequate to see even half the tourist spots in Sydney. But still we managed to get a feel of this huge and bustling city.

In any case, I think even a week wouldn't be enough to do justice to this one. Seeing this, I could envisage a bit of New York and the big cities of the world. Lovely to visit, but to live in? I'd have to think about that.

Anyways, as we took the train from Melb, we spent the day in the train and landed only at night in Syd. The landscape from the train was very similar to India, although the atmosphere was a bit marred by some snide remarks that a couple of Yanks sitting behind me were making. Naturally, to them, only the US of A is the ultimate.

Anyways, the next morn, we set off to Taronga zoo, taking the ferry. WE got totally and thoroughly excited on seeing the Harbour bridge and the Opera House enroute. They are not too far from each other. And look really great from a distance.

The zoo was really impressive, although we had to stay put in the souvenir shop for a while, due to a thunderstorm. Huge with many species of animals, some of which I had never seen in person before, like the platypus.

We made good progress and en route a lioness took a swipe at Nandita. Luckily, there was a thick sheet of glass separating the two of them from each other.

That evening, from the zoo, we wandered upto the Opera House. In close-up, it had tiles all over it and didn't actually look too impressive. There's a very 'elitish' restaurant inside and all the usual blah blah. But the walk to the Opera House from the bus stand was very interesting, as it housed all sorts of shops.

Day two, we started late and went leisurely to first Haymarket to try our hand at some shopping. We picked out stuff at an expensive outlet and then came outside, only to discover that the same stuff was available at the famous Paddy markets and probably half the price. Ha ha.

Then, walked to Darling Harbour where there are sooo many things to do. Went for a sounds of the Outback show, where an artist played a traditional aborigine instrument, the didgeridoo. Gosh, it was brilliant. Then, we walked all round, looking at the Chinese garden, Imax theatre, etc.

Then took the monorail from there to the Sydney Tower. The monorail really impressed. It is an overhead rail system, right in the centre of Sydney's CBD, but tucked so neatly into one side of the road, it just blends with the surroundings.

Sydney tower was a bit of a yawn, apart from the views, it was just like the Auckland Sky Tower or the KL Minara tower (the only towers I have been up on, so far). The only difference was the security in Sydney was the maximum.

Took the train back to Melb that night. Most uncomfy, sleeping in seats. Gimme our good old Indian railway berths anytime.