From Bali, we continued on our way to Australia! Our first stop was Sydney! We had a "minor" hiccup at the Bali airport when we realized that we needed a Visa to get to Australia...and we didn't have one. Lucky for us it was more like a preregistration than a Visa and were able to apply at the airport. Luckily our flight went smoothly and we were greeted at the airport by the sweet sound of English! In an instant, I was in a world in which I could understand, speak, and read...even if the twang was a tad new for me! Moments like these continue to be important reminders of just how all-encompassing language really is! 
In addition to the language, I quickly realized that even though I was thousands of miles from home - being in the another "Western" country brought with it way more similarities than differences! For example, I enjoyed my first 7-11 slurpee in more than a year. It's not like I got them frequently in the US...but the thought of one totally brought me back to my Michigan days and made me smile! Plus it was over 100 degrees outside!
Sydney had a neat vibe. The city was clean, safe, and buzzing with people. Even though, during its busiest time of year (summer/New Year's) - it was still way less busy than Tokyo or New York City. The city is broken up into neighborhoods - each with their own vibe. And the waterfront/skyline is absolutely amazing with the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.
Our three days in Sydney were spent exploring the city! In addition to ringing in the New Year is the coolest way possible! Here's a bit about a few of the sites we visited.
Sydney Harbour
A large chunk of our day was spent walking around Sydney Harbour and enjoying the breathtaking views of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. We took an hour-long guided tour of the Opera House and learned a lot of interesting information.
I was surprised to learn that the architect of the Opera House, Jorn Utzon, never actually saw the completed structure in person. He resigned as chief architect in 1966 when the construction was halted. Other architects were hired when construction restarted - and Utzon wasn't even mentioned or acknowledged when the Opera house opened. In the late 1990s, however, amends were made and Utzon was asked to assist in updating the Opera House. Due to ailing health, he was not able to come to Sydney - but collaborated from afar.
Additionally, I had always believed the roof of the Sydney Opera House to be smooth and white in color. However, the roof is actually covered in chevron-shaped tiles, which are glossy white and matte cream in color. And, while the roof looks a lot like ship sails - apparently Utzon came up with the design concept while he was peeling an orange. Cool, huh?
I was surprised to learn that the architect of the Opera House, Jorn Utzon, never actually saw the completed structure in person. He resigned as chief architect in 1966 when the construction was halted. Other architects were hired when construction restarted - and Utzon wasn't even mentioned or acknowledged when the Opera house opened. In the late 1990s, however, amends were made and Utzon was asked to assist in updating the Opera House. Due to ailing health, he was not able to come to Sydney - but collaborated from afar.
Additionally, I had always believed the roof of the Sydney Opera House to be smooth and white in color. However, the roof is actually covered in chevron-shaped tiles, which are glossy white and matte cream in color. And, while the roof looks a lot like ship sails - apparently Utzon came up with the design concept while he was peeling an orange. Cool, huh?
The Rocks
The Rocks, located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, is the site of Australia's first European settlement - founded in 1788. From the earliest history of the settlement, the area had a reputation as a slum. In 1968, the government gave control of The Rocks to an organization that was going to demolish the buildings and build luxury condos. However, after years of battles and protests, a ban on knocking the buildings down won out...and they were restored and repaired. Although there are still issues with poverty and crime, the area continues to grow and change (with about half of it already having gone through the gentrification process).
Darling Harbour
Darling Harbour is a bay adjacent to Sydney Harbour. It contains the aquarium, some museums, and lots of new and hip restaurants. We enjoyed dinner at a lovely Turkish restaurant overlooking the water. This area is not as scenic as Sydney Harbour, but it's definitely the place to go to eat. There were also signs suggesting that they are planning to add even more to this area over the next few years.
Darling Harbour is a bay adjacent to Sydney Harbour. It contains the aquarium, some museums, and lots of new and hip restaurants. We enjoyed dinner at a lovely Turkish restaurant overlooking the water. This area is not as scenic as Sydney Harbour, but it's definitely the place to go to eat. There were also signs suggesting that they are planning to add even more to this area over the next few years.
Hyde Park Barracks
I knew that Australia had a history of being a colony for convicts; however, I knew very little about its history...so we spent an afternoon exploring the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. I have to say that I was very impressed with the museum. I found it informative, interesting, and I give Australia credit for their relatively recent decision to embrace their history and past.
What's really neat is that the museum is the actual barracks building which has been remodeled throughout time. The barracks were originally built as a place to house convicts that were sent from England by boat. Construction began in 1817. The barracks were not a jail (as I had originally thought) - they were instead where the convicts lived. Most of the convicts sent over from England worked and essentially established Australia as the country it is today. In the mid-1800s, the barracks were shutdown and the buildings were reopened as an immigration depot for single women. Then from 1887-1979, the buildings were used as courts and government offices before being turned into a museum.
I would really encourage you to read more about Australia's history - as there is so much more I could write about this topic. In 2010, UNESCO named the barracks along with 10 other sites in Australia to the World Heritage Site list as "Australian Convict Sights." There was also a sign stating that more than 20% of modern Australians descended from transported convicts.
I knew that Australia had a history of being a colony for convicts; however, I knew very little about its history...so we spent an afternoon exploring the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. I have to say that I was very impressed with the museum. I found it informative, interesting, and I give Australia credit for their relatively recent decision to embrace their history and past.
What's really neat is that the museum is the actual barracks building which has been remodeled throughout time. The barracks were originally built as a place to house convicts that were sent from England by boat. Construction began in 1817. The barracks were not a jail (as I had originally thought) - they were instead where the convicts lived. Most of the convicts sent over from England worked and essentially established Australia as the country it is today. In the mid-1800s, the barracks were shutdown and the buildings were reopened as an immigration depot for single women. Then from 1887-1979, the buildings were used as courts and government offices before being turned into a museum.
I would really encourage you to read more about Australia's history - as there is so much more I could write about this topic. In 2010, UNESCO named the barracks along with 10 other sites in Australia to the World Heritage Site list as "Australian Convict Sights." There was also a sign stating that more than 20% of modern Australians descended from transported convicts.
Bondi to Coogee Beach Coastal
On the morning of New Year's Eve, we took a sunny walk along Australia's eastern shoreline from Bondi to Coogee Beach. The walk took us about two hours - with lots of stops for pictures - and offered up some pretty stunning views. If we'd had more time - we would have definitely stopped for a swim at one of the beaches or the crazy awesome infinity pools that actually extended into the ocean!!
Manly Island (and beach)
For dinner one evening, we took a 30-minute ferry ride to Manly Island - which is one of Australia's northern beaches. We enjoyed dinner at 4 Pines Brewing Company and on our way back to the boat...we stumbled across a penguin hatching area on the beach...and were able to get some quick glimpses of baby penguins.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Sydney was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Per recommendations from others who have visited during this time, we bought tickets to an event at the botanical gardens. This meant that we were guaranteed a great view without having to fight the crowds and stake out our spot early in the morning. Our event also catered yummy food and we were able to enjoy a relaxed evening with amazing views. Here are just a few pictures and videos to give you an idea of what the experience was like!
After enjoying our time in Sydney, we boarded a plane and headed about three hours north to the city of Cairns (which we quickly realized is pronounced - cans). Cairns is a much smaller and much quieter city that Sydney. It reminded me a lot of the lake towns up north in Michigan, which have only a few main roads full of shops and restaurants because most of the activities center around the beach or water.
Although the weather was overcast with occasional thunderstorms and downpours...it held off enough for us to be able to participate in all of the activities we had planned.
Swimming in the Ocean
During our first day in Cairns, we drove along the coastal road to the town of Port Douglas. The scenery was breathtaking and we stopped several times to take in the views. Once in town, we enjoyed some downtime at the beach. I was shocked to find that the water was at least 80 degrees and felt like bathwater! We also learned that many beaches have "netted" off areas in which people can swim - to protect them from sharks and jellyfish. You can swim in the other areas too - it's just at your own risk.
As we were driving home, we noticed hundreds of birds (or what we thought were birds) flying in the sky. We soon realized that they were bats - huge bats! A little research revealed that they were fruit bats - also known as flying foxes - that are native to Australia and very common in these areas. As we looked closer at the trees - we realized that they were actually filled with bats...I wish I had gotten a picture...though I was a tad resistant to get too close to the trees. I did get a video of the bats flying though!
Snorkeling to Explore the Great Barrier Reef
The next day, we spent about eight hours on a boat - with much of that time in the water, snorkeling and exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Because it was jellyfish season we found ourselves in some stylish full-body wetsuits. We stopped in two different areas - Michaelmas Cay and Hasting Reef and were given close to two hours to explore. Getting to see the reef was really amazing - and the pictures just don't due its enormity or beauty justice. We also saw a lot of bleached and dead coral, which was really sad to see. We learned that the reef is NOT dead - as Outside magazine reported earlier this year. There are lots of factors - hot water temperature, pollution, fish and other organisms - that are killing parts of the reef but that is a normal cycle that they are hoping will shift in a few years. Additionally, lots of efforts are being made to restore parts of the reef; however, we won't likely see the fruits of these efforts in our lifetime.
We also tried to capture a bit of video...sorry that it's a bit shaky. It's hard to swim and film!
On the morning of New Year's Eve, we took a sunny walk along Australia's eastern shoreline from Bondi to Coogee Beach. The walk took us about two hours - with lots of stops for pictures - and offered up some pretty stunning views. If we'd had more time - we would have definitely stopped for a swim at one of the beaches or the crazy awesome infinity pools that actually extended into the ocean!!
For dinner one evening, we took a 30-minute ferry ride to Manly Island - which is one of Australia's northern beaches. We enjoyed dinner at 4 Pines Brewing Company and on our way back to the boat...we stumbled across a penguin hatching area on the beach...and were able to get some quick glimpses of baby penguins.
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Sydney was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Per recommendations from others who have visited during this time, we bought tickets to an event at the botanical gardens. This meant that we were guaranteed a great view without having to fight the crowds and stake out our spot early in the morning. Our event also catered yummy food and we were able to enjoy a relaxed evening with amazing views. Here are just a few pictures and videos to give you an idea of what the experience was like!
Although the weather was overcast with occasional thunderstorms and downpours...it held off enough for us to be able to participate in all of the activities we had planned.
Swimming in the Ocean
During our first day in Cairns, we drove along the coastal road to the town of Port Douglas. The scenery was breathtaking and we stopped several times to take in the views. Once in town, we enjoyed some downtime at the beach. I was shocked to find that the water was at least 80 degrees and felt like bathwater! We also learned that many beaches have "netted" off areas in which people can swim - to protect them from sharks and jellyfish. You can swim in the other areas too - it's just at your own risk. As we were driving home, we noticed hundreds of birds (or what we thought were birds) flying in the sky. We soon realized that they were bats - huge bats! A little research revealed that they were fruit bats - also known as flying foxes - that are native to Australia and very common in these areas. As we looked closer at the trees - we realized that they were actually filled with bats...I wish I had gotten a picture...though I was a tad resistant to get too close to the trees. I did get a video of the bats flying though!
The next day, we spent about eight hours on a boat - with much of that time in the water, snorkeling and exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Because it was jellyfish season we found ourselves in some stylish full-body wetsuits. We stopped in two different areas - Michaelmas Cay and Hasting Reef and were given close to two hours to explore. Getting to see the reef was really amazing - and the pictures just don't due its enormity or beauty justice. We also saw a lot of bleached and dead coral, which was really sad to see. We learned that the reef is NOT dead - as Outside magazine reported earlier this year. There are lots of factors - hot water temperature, pollution, fish and other organisms - that are killing parts of the reef but that is a normal cycle that they are hoping will shift in a few years. Additionally, lots of efforts are being made to restore parts of the reef; however, we won't likely see the fruits of these efforts in our lifetime.
 |
| You can see the bleached and dead coral here... |
Kuranda - A Village in the Rainforest
On our last full day in Cairns, we rode the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway to the village of Kuranda, which is located on a mountain in the middle of the rainforest. The train ride was about two hours and allowed us to soak in the beauty of the surrounding rainforest and Barron Falls. The Cairns-Kuranda Railway was constructed between 1882 and 1891 and even today is considered an engineering feat of tremendous magnitude - due to the terrain on which it is built.
The train stops in the village of Kuranda, which has a super touristy feel to it. In addition to a few shops and restaurants - it also houses a bird sanctuary, butterfly house, reptile house, and a koala garden. Since we only had a little bit of time - we explored the koala gardens in which I was able to hold a koala (they are SO soft) and see kangaroos up close. Although I am not one who likes to see animals in captivity - it was neat to learn about some of Australia's native wildlife.
We took the cable car back down the mountain, which was much faster and also allowed us to view the rainforests from above.
Our trip to Australia was action-packed and tons of fun! I really enjoyed my time there and hope that sometime in the future I will be able to explore even more of Australia. Melbourne, the Gold Coast, and Ayers Rock are definitely on my list!
And...just for fun...here is my favorite new phrase I learned while in Australia!
Sunny moments: Too many to list! :)
Cloudy moments: Some stormy days and high, high humidity is Cairns...if I had to pick something!
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