Laurence and Henry's Big Adventure: Barb and Susan join us in Sydney

Barb, Susan, Jan and Blanche arrive in Australia

We were very fortunate to play host for a few days to two very dear friends from Canada in our second hometown of Sydney. Barb Meads and Susan Peacock two great friends from Calgary had planned their trip down under to coincide with our journey through this part of the world. Both Barb and Susan worked with me for a period of time at the City of Calgary, and at one time they were both my secretary, but more importantly our relationship went well beyond co-worker and they are valued friends to both Laurence and I, so having some familiar faces from the old country was a great treat. Barb and Susan were travelling with two wonderful travel buddies Jan and Blanche, so we had new tourists to discover the city with.

Susan, Henry, Barb and Laurence @ the South Heads

So as official Sydney tour guides we took them to the famed Circular Quay to view the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We ventured through the tropical vegetation of the Botanical Gardens and sat in the iconic Mrs Macquarie’s Chair to view the incredible harbour views. And we of course showed them all the great shopping haunts of the city, highlighting the incredible Queen Victoria Building.

Susan and Henry feeding the white cockatoos

I Think I have made a new friend

But we took some time to teach them some unique features of this country such as ordering food at the counter (not from the waiter), enjoying Tim Tams, how to order a flat white coffee, the joys of Australian yogurt and how to make the perfect cup of Lindt Hot Chocolate.

I can't believe that I'm standing here !!!!!

Come on Susan it's not that bad !!!!!

We also toured outside the city and took a road trip up to the Hunter Valley the famous wine making region of Australia and we took in several wineries and tasted the wonderful tastes of the region. And we took a day trip up to the Blue Mountains to Katoomba to view the Three Sisters, tour scenic valley and reconnect with cold weather as it was freezing that day.

Henry, he is trying to take our picture again

It was a great few days with the four gals we had lots of fun reconnecting and connecting over food and drinks, I will always remember the great night of endless mussels out of the pot at Bungalow 8, enjoying laksa and of course the evening watching the great performance of Jersey Boys at the Royal Theatre.

There so delicious, I can't believe I had three pots

Henry it's just a napkin !!!

Thought I'd test U all, Ha Ha

The four women then ventured off to northern Australia as they continued their tour, but Barb did return on her own for a few days on her way home and we played tour guide again with Barb. This time we centred the visit around Barb`s favourite past time, shopping, and discovered new areas of the city such as the funky neighbourhood of Newtown and the alternative area of Oxford. We had lots of laughs, discovered the great bakeshops of this city and had a few too many beers it was great to reconnect with Barb and in no time her visit was over.