Thursday - SYDNEY TOWER

Our day began quite slow.

We ate breakfast in the hotel room and then headed out and just started walking. This was the first day we really had to do just exactly what we wanted with no schedule or driver or tour guide rushing us along.

We discovered the Queen Victoria Building. This ornate Romanesque building has been described as the most beautiful shopping centre in the world yet it began life as the Sydney produce market. Completed in 1898, the dominate features are the central copper dome and the glass roof that lets in a flood of natural light. Refurbished, the QVB reopened in 1986 as a shopping gallery. The wishing well in the centre, incorporates a stone from Blarney Castle, a sculpture of Islay - Queen Victoria`s dog and a statue of the Queen herself.

When we left the QVB, we walked in a different direction, turning south and discovered we were exactly where we wanted to be...at the base of the Sydney Tower. The tower gives a bird`s eye view of all of Sydney. It rises 305 m (1000 ft) above the ground and has over 1500 stairs, if one is so inclined to walk instead of ride.

We bought our tickets and went up the elevator and took the 360 degree walk around the top. No, we did not don space suits to do the Skywalk outside on a tiny little platform...that is another $40.00 AUS each. Not worth it. Took lots of pictures and then, suddenly, my batteries died. Damn.... right in the middle of my playing. I was getting angry but decided to just buy some more and continue along taking pictures. Works for me.

We stopped at the little cafe in the tower and the server really got April`s order screwed up. She did not enjoy the vegetarian pie because she had ordered beef pie. Just a bit of difference there.

After lunch we decided to head back to the hotel via Darling Habour. It is a pedestrian park with beautiful fountains, lots of playground area for children, paths so your do not have to cross a street. You go under or over them instead. This is truly a beautiful area to stay. Close to everything. The aquarium is just up a block, the Chinese Gardens of Friendship are at our window, showing us the changing season. All the trees are getting their green fuzz announcing that Spring is just around the corner. The azaleas are all in bloom and a lot of the flowers are in bud. We missed summer in Canada but we are experiencing spring all over again. It is amazing just how fast Mother Nature creates the seasons. We were here about a month ago and it was totally winter. No leaves or green, cold and miserable, and now it is warming up and the signs of spring are showing through...Looks good.

Happy everything...