Laurence and Henry's Big Adventure: Sydney

The Only Country that eats it's Coat of Arms

So after a long 13 hour flight we have taken a huge leap in our journey around the world. We flew direct from the heat of Dubai into the land down under in the middle of their winter and thus starting a whole new leg of our incredible journey. The flight gave us time to reflect on the adventure thus far, from the west side shows of London, to the home cooking in Holland, to the amazing art in Paris, to the wonderful people of Barcelona, to the amazing architecture of Italy, to the islands of Greece and to the temples of Egypt it has been a wonderful and amazing journey.

Views of Sydney

Darling Harbour

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Opera House

Arriving in Sydney is like coming home for us, as we have been here so often and are surrounded by friends that seem more like family. So it was a real treat for Laurence and I to just hang out at Et’s apartment for a few days, as we were getting tired of hotel life, and everything is so familiar here.

Gerda and Sarah join us

Gerda and Sarah on Macquaries Chair

But this next leg of our trip was to be about family as several members of my family had planned to join us in Australia. My sister Gerda and her daughter (my niece) Sarah were the first to arrive in Sydney. So we got to rediscover parts of the city we had taken for granted as we saw them again through new tourist’s eyes. We spent time strolling through the streets of city center looking at the architecture of this modern city with its many historical buildings still in place. Of course we strolled around the iconic Sydney Opera House at base of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in what I think is the most beautiful harbour in the world. And as my sister is an avid gardener we spent considerable time taking in the large and impressive botanical gardens located right in the heart of the city. Here we saw many unique native plants as well as many flying foxes and cockatoos.

Flying Foxes

Beautiful Plants

Cockatoo's at the Botanic Gardens

Just a few days later my brother Sam arrived with his two children Cayley and Chad, and the family tour group was now complete. Needless to say eight people in a two bedroom\one bathroom apartment creates its own dynamics, it was great to see everyone and be with family.

Gerda, Etienne and Sarah waiting for the rest of the Family @ Airport

Uncle Henry can you believe that I came to Australia

So now with everyone in tow we continued our exploration of the city of Sydney by a visit to the Sydney Aquarium, where you are treated to under water tunnels to see sharks, rays and dugongs at an entirely different perspective. From there we went to the Wildlife World we they go to see koalas, wombats and kangaroos up close. And of course we hit a beach by going to the world famous Manly Beach for the day and toured the North Head the entrance to the Sydney Harbour. But more than just the sights we were seeing it was great to be with family and creating new memories as we began our road trip down the coast of Australia as one big FAMILY.