The Booys Down Under: August 2010

August 6 and we're all packed and ready for our first trip to Sydney. The airport shuttle bus picks us up at 6.30am, and after an hour on the plane we're flying over Sydney with amazing views of the iconic sights of the city. With the sun glinting off the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge you get the feeling that you're heading somewhere special.

From the airport we get the double decker underground train to Wynyard station, which is about 50m from our hotel - perfect location for Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour and the City Centre.

It's too early for us to check in so we leave our bags in storage and head to Sydney Harbour. As we turn into Circular Quay, the hub of Sydney harbour and the founding site for Sydney and Australia, there are ferries leaving every few minutes to different parts of the harbour including Manly and Taronga Park Zoo. On the southern side of Circular Quay is a walkway that leads to the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanical Gardens; while on the northern side, a short walk along lovely landscaped walkways takes you to the Harbour Bridge and The Rocks, one of the oldest, parts of Sydney. Pretty much in awe of the sights, we head to the Rocks, through the markets and find a great little cafe for lunch.

After lunch we wander to the Opera House and then back to the hotel to check in. Our room still isn't ready, so they give us a complimentary upgrade to an executive suite - marvellous!

Once we'd unpacked (which didn't take long considering we were only staying for 3 nights!), we go to Darling Harbour. Plenty of restaurants, shops, aquarium etc and the sunshine helped make it a great afternoon exploring!

Darling Harbour

In the evening we go back to Sydney Harbour for dinner and then a 'Sydney Lounge Cocktail' in Cafe Sydney - a great bar/restaurant on the 5th floor of Customs House with great views of the harbour.

Saturday morning and we go to Hyde Park, the start of the City2Surf, and pick up our showbags from the expo before shopping in the City Centre.

Hyde Park

Sydney is a very hilly city, so after all the walking we'd done on Friday, and around the City Centre, we decided to take the open-top bus sightseeing tour! A chance to see more of the city without the leg work!

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Luna Park

Woolloomooloo

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Tower

Sunday morning and it's time for the City2Surf - the reason we'd come to Sydney after all! The Sydney City2Surf is the largest timed running race in the world and this year, the event's 40th anniversary, a record 80,000 participants took part. The 14 km route passes through the suburbs of Kings Cross, Rushcutters Bay, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse, Dover Heights and finishes at Bondi Beach. The most difficult part of the course is "Heartbreak Hill" at the halfway mark, a 2km long steep ascent from Rose Bay to Vaucluse along New South Head Road. And oh my goodness did the hill live up to it's name!

It was by far the toughest run that we have ever done, and the most enjoyable. The support along the way was great - notably the group of lads dressed as smurfs (City2Smurf!), the Elvis impersonator on the back of a truck, a rock band on a roof and the various DJs along the way.

At 10km you're over the hill and heading down towards Bondi. The finish in sight, the beautiful view of Bondi, Robbie Williams playing full blast makes it almost a sprint finish! But we were very glad to finish! And all over in 83 minutes, placing us 21,378th - get us!!!

Bondi Beach

Our bags had been transported to Bondi ready for us to collect, and there was free transport back to the city - it couldn't have been better organised.

Quick shower and we're back to Sydney Harbour for a well deserved 'Hungry Jacks' (Aussie Burger King!), sat in the sun with the Opera House on one side and the Harbour Bridge on the other!

A Thai meal at Darling Harbour, another morning shopping in the city, and it's time to head back to Melbourne.

From one amazing city to another, able to enjoy the sunshine and beautiful sights of Sydney, plus take part in the biggest running event in the world - what an awesome weekend!

Saturday July 31 we went to see the Qantas Wallabies play the All Blacks at Etihad Stadium, as part of the Bundaberg Rum Tri Nations series - their fourth Bledisloe Cup match in the Victorian capital since 1997.

Four out of our group of five were supporting the Qantas Wallabies, Darren being the only All Blacks supporter! But it turned out that the minority won! It was an eighth straight loss in New Zealand's favour - 49-28 - and the All Blacks' 49 points were one shy of their best score against Australia.

However, the Qantas Wallabies did play much of the second half a man down after Drew Mitchell was sent off. But despite the game effectively being over before Mitchell's dismissal -- the gap was 18 points -- Wallabies coach Robbie Deans thought his team played well.

It was an amazing game to watch with 26 points scored in the opening 20 minutes and 46 in the opening half.

Despite four of us, in all our gear, were disappointed with the result, at least Darren was happy!