29th January 2016

Another lazy start to the day. First, we topped up our Opal cards with an extra $20, as we were running low on credit. We did this at a kiosk just outside the hotel before hopping on the train to Circular Quay.

It was a hot, sunny morning, and we were looking forward to the cooling breeze of our ferry journey to Taronga Zoo. The boat was already there, so we just ‘tapped on’ and boarded. We found a seat inside but soon moved to the deck with most other passengers to catch that much-needed breeze. The journey took just 11 minutes, but as you can imagine, the scenery was delightful. Even better, there was hardly a cloud in the sky. First, we passed the new cruise liner in port, the ‘Carnival Spirit’, followed by the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and the Governor’s Mansion. Then we sailed out into the mainstream and navigated through the busy tangle of other craft, each heading to its unknown destination.

Arriving at Taronga Zoo, we made our way up the hill to the ticket office and then to the cable lift, which took us to the top and the heart of the zoo. Whether you’re a fan of zoos or not, the views of the city from the top are worth every cent of the entrance fee. Honestly, it’s a must for anyone visiting Sydney. As we walked towards the Koala enclosure, I overheard an Aussie bloke say to his Sheila, “Wow, take a picture of the Harbour Bridge from here.” To which she turned away and said, “Why?” I caught his eye and whispered, “She has no soul.” He gave a knowing nod.

We continued along the winding paths down to the various animal enclosures, each offering a glimpse into wildlife conservation (or captivity, depending on your perspective). Around halfway, we stumbled upon a restaurant and decided to stop for a nice lunch. Unlike similar places back home in the UK, where you’re trapped and forced to pay exorbitant prices for food and drink, here the prices were refreshingly reasonable. They didn’t take advantage of a captive audience, which was a pleasant surprise.

After lunch, we headed to the meerkat enclosure just as the sky darkened and a storm began to brew. Lightning flashed, and the heavens opened, sending us running for shelter under a canopy near the elephant enclosure. The elephants stayed inside their spacious house, as you might imagine.

The storm lasted about 20 minutes, and once it passed, we joined the queue for the seal show. Despite the brief deluge, the seats were quickly filled. The seals performed well, though the show itself was a bit short, and we’ve certainly seen better. Still, we appreciated that no animals were harmed, and thankfully, no trainers were eaten either!

We continued our walk downhill, exploring the remaining exhibits until we reached the exit of the zoo. The ferry ride back was just as swift as the journey there, but this time it was much hotter, and we were grateful for the breeze on the way over.

Once back at Circular Quay, we decided to relax in the garden of a place called the ‘Gin Palace’ (yes, really). We enjoyed some refreshments while people-watching, which is always a fun pastime in such a bustling area.

Next, we made our way to the Sydney Museum of Art, just next door. The museum featured a significant amount of Aboriginal art, but we found much of it a bit too simplistic for our tastes. Susan even remarked that she had taught five-year-olds to do better, and I have to admit, I could see where she was coming from.

After returning to the station for the train back to Central, we found ourselves joined by Sydney’s commuters, as it was 5 o’clock. Despite the throng of people, we had no trouble finding a seat, which just goes to show how efficient the city’s transport system is.

Once back at the hotel, I had a Skype call with Sarah while Sue enjoyed a relaxing soak in the bath.

For dinner, we decided to head to Chinatown, just a quarter mile from the hotel. After considering a few options, we eventually settled on a Thai restaurant, and it turned out to be a great choice. We were well-fed and satisfied as we made our way back to the hotel, watched a bit of TV, and then strolled back to our room for a well-deserved rest.