Return trip
That's it. Now just a smooth flight back. 15 + 7 hours of flying, with a 3-hour layover. The flight was uneventful, as it should be. When you experience exciting things with airplanes, it's usually not good. A whole day...
Lars Idema
Surf @ Bondi Beach, and leave
The day of departure, back to that cold little frog country, sob... It's supposed to be 36 degrees Celsius today, by the way. First, we had to store our suitcases; that wasn't possible in the same apartment, but three blocks away. A lot of lugging around 100 kg...
Blue Mountains
Today we're going into the mountains. Well, to check out the Blue Mountains, two hours west of Sydney. We're up in time to catch the train, which runs once an hour. A bit of bad luck: part of the track is out, so...
Jacaranda and market
We were going to the market in Kirribilli, a neighborhood on the north side of the river. And they have beautiful jacaranda trees there. It turned out the market wasn't every week, but every two weeks, and not this week. But don't worry, there are...
Sydney from below and above
Up early: whale watching. To Circular Quay, the harbor where the boat departs. It was a slightly smaller boat than expected, so it's bound to be a rocky ride. And indeed, it is. Once out of the river, after a half-hour trip, it's off...
Day in Sydney, film Carmen
First, I had to return the car, which I couldn't manage yesterday. It's a five-minute drive, so I should be able to make it before 10 a.m. But the parking meter at the parking garage wasn't working, so I called. Fifteen minutes later, I was out the door for a few dollars instead of the $100...
Port Macquarie and arrival in Sydney
(Photos to follow) We explored Port Macquarie in the morning; it's a beautiful coastline, and more beautiful beaches. And a whale far out at sea. We checked out the lighthouse. We have to keep this short, though, because we're on the clock. We…
To Port McQuairie
We're leaving the charming cottage park in Byron Bay. Driving to Sydney is still too far, so our destination is halfway there: Port Macquarie. We stop in Coffs Harbour for lunch at the botanical gardens. It's almost becoming a tradition. Buying plants...
Byron Bay and Water Dragons
Taking it easy this morning. At brunch outside, the animals gathered again, ready for some crumbs. First, the morning roll call; what's on the street? We now know they're called Water Dragons, or Australian Water Dragons. (Watch this video…
Byron Bay Lighthouse
Slowly this morning, definitely an hour late, because yesterday we crossed the New South Wales border, and they do have Daylight Savings Time here. Had breakfast while the half-meter-long lizards stare at you, the kookaburra bird on the edge of...