Australia July, 2007

Sydney

Home
Sydney
Great Barrier Reef
Rainforest
En route to Undara/Curtain Fig
Lava Tubes
Waterfall Circuit
Airlie Beach
Whitsunday Islands
Islands and Anchorages
Hamilton Island
Koalas, wombats, and other fun critters

The flight from LA is 14.5 hours.  Not having the thousands of dollars necessary to upgrade to business or first class, we spent the time in economy (Qantas does feed it's customers well and provides a care package of socks, eye mask and tooth brush.) 
 
We spent the first couple of nights in Sydney to recover from jet lag.  We knew it was winter, but winter is usually low to mid 70's, dipping into the 50's at night.  We arrived at 7am to grey skies, heavy wind, and temps in the low 50's.  It did not warm up much during the day.  Surprise #1:  Australia was experiencing it's 2nd coldest winter in 50 years.
 
First purchase:  Jackets

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Red fox bats in the Royal Botanical Gardens

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View from our hotel above Darling Harbour

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The Opera House is even more amazing in person. We took a tour and heard part of a rehearsal.

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Hyde Park

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John, with the Endeavor in the background. Note the lovely jacket he is wearing.