When you really break it down, tourism is about looking at things. You go by boat, by helicopter, by airplane, by car and most of all, on foot – all just to stand and gawk for between two seconds and 10 minutes at something.
We’ve done some looking the past few days and although it doesn’t make a great story, it’s been fun to wander Hobart and Sydney.
Tuesday – Hobart (Day 13)
I didn’t feel like blogging Tuesday night despite our free Wi-Fi at the Astor Hotel, because Leo and I had just finished consuming multiple drinks. Beer for him, as he continues to sample Australia’s finest (and not so finest) and a series of wines and vodka-tonics for me. We’d spent the day wandering a cloudy Hobart, checking out the area around Salamanca Place, the hub of old Hobart’s trade and commerce. On Saturdays there’s a great market there, but on a normal weekday it was quiet. We also wandered up the (steep!) hill to Battery Point, a cool neighborhood full of 19th century cottages. Australia’s British roots have been evident nearly everywhere we go and here was no exception.
We also wandered the city wharf, a launching point for Antarctic scientific expeditions. Seeing one such vessel docked there reminded us how far we are from home and how close we are to the “bottom” of the world. After lunch in a delightful bakery, we got into our rented car and drove up Mt. Wellington. The 22km road twists and turns up the mountain top, which peaks at 1270 meters. We had to dodge a cycling race to get up there, so I’d love to say the views were well worth the effort. Unfortunately, we were surrounded by clouds. However, it was still very cool to stand among the wisps of swirling water vapor.
We drove back down in search of the Cascade Brewery, Australia’s oldest. Leo and I tried a flight of their taps, but none were impressive enough to seek out again. Most of the beer here is lighter, without the hoppy and varied flavors of American brews.
Off to the Moorilla Estate, a sprawling vineyard, brewery, art museum and restaurant on the Derwent River. We drove through the gates only to find out the entire operation is closed Tuesdays. That’s went we headed back to CBD for all those drinks, plus pizza and gelato, all of which put me into a mini food coma that prevented blogging. :o)
Wednesday – Hobart to Sydney (Day 14)
Another airport, another city. Leo and I will have taken a total of 14 airplanes for this trip after it’s all over. Whew! Although all the American flights were predictably sub-standard, we had been impressed with Quantas because they still feed you real meals and full snacks/beverages. Spoiled, we assumed our 12:15 p.m. Virgin flight would include lunch. It did not. By the time we got to Sydney, got a train to the city centre, found our hotel and wandered out again, it was nearly 4 p.m.
We hoped to sample sushi at the famous Fish Market. The market is probably teeming with life at 8 a.m. But at 4 p.m. it was a cold, dead fish. So we strolled nearby and pigged out on some sushi rolls.
Then we hit up the major landmarks: the Opera House and Sydney Bridge. We were surprised to discover that the Opera House is not pure white as it appears in photos. Instead, it looks more like a seashell, with lines snaking across it. We took a path along Port Jackson, more popularly known as Sydney harbor, walking around the Botanical Gardens overlooking the bay.
Beer-thirty arrived at about 7 p.m. Lonely Planet recommended the Australian Hotel. Already cool because it’s one of the oldest continuously operating pubs in the city, we were sold when we read it has 90 beers on tap. Leo crossed a few more off his list before we headed back for the night.
Thursday – Sydney (Day 15)
Today we walked all over the city, starting with an area known as The Rocks. That’s actually where the Australian Hotel is located, but we returned this morning to get a better look of Sydney’s first European settlement. It was once the slums and later housing for the working poor. Now it’s a mixture of preserved history and boutiques. We took at peek at Sydney’s oldest remaining building, the 1816 Cademan’s Cottage, before climbing the stairs of the nearby Observatory Hill.
Then we walked to the very touristy Darling Harbor. There’s nothing like open spaces, water features and a great view of skyscrapers to bring people together. We popped into the Hard Rock Café so Leo could buy a shot glass, but skipped the food in favor of some Yum Cha at Chinatown.
We then took a really long walk to the Kings Cross neighborhood to see the Coca Cola sign. Lonely Planet says it’s as iconic as the Hollywood sign out in L.A., but this didn’t look that interesting. It’s probably cooler at night when it’s all lit up.
Now it’s time for our afternoon break/blogging. Then we’ll head out for dinner and some nighttime views. Tomorrow we have to be up very early so we can do the REALLY cool thing here – climb the Sydney Bridge!
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