Sydney, Australia Part 2...

The week went by far too quickly but we sure managed to fit a lot in. On Monday we took a road trip out to a place called Cronulla, checked out a few beaches in the Shire, visited Engadine and also drove through The Royal National Parks along the Grand ole Pacific Drive. It was great to get out of the city and experience a bit of the Australian countryside, and sure made for some awesome sightseeing. The Royal National Parks are the second oldest in the world next to Yellowstone in the USA. They were originally just called The National Parks but (would you believe) after Queen Elizabeth II parked her arse in 1955 they were renamed, and the ‘Royal’ part was added. Sure.

Cronulla has some gorgeous beaches but nothing compares to how beautiful the beaches in Manly were. Manly was literally named 'Manly' due to the ‘manly’ behaviour of the local people that lived there - I kid you not! So (after excepting this and moving on with our lives) we took one of the many boat trips out the following day and did some epic sunbathing...I burnt my nose! It was pretty horrendous! The boat ride took about 30 minutes from Circular Quay and we sailed past some gorgeous little spots. Taking a boat trip whilst in Sydney is probably number 1 on my list of ‘things to do’. It genuinely is the best way to see the sites and who doesn’t love a good boat trip?!

Road Trippin'

Grand Pacific Drive

 

 Boat Trip!!

 

...they weren't joking!

 

Manly Beach 

 

I couldn’t visit Sydney without checking out the many Merlin attractions they have on offer. As a previous employee this was something that wasn’t to be missed and so we managed to visit not just the Sea Life Aquarium, but also Wild Life Sydney and Madame Tussauds too. I had no idea who many of the people in Madame Tussauds were as many of them were Australian stars, but none the less it was interesting and it was a bit of a blast from the past to be honest. Wild Life Sydney and the Aquarium had many different animals on display from all over which was awesome, but it wouldn’t be a trip to Sydney without a visit to the famous Taronga Zoo. This Zoo is not only home to an array of different animals but you can also catch a pretty impressive glimpse of the city aswell...

View from Taronga Zoo

 Wild Life Sydney

 

 HAROLD!

 

 Taronga Zoo

One of the many things I was looking forward to during my stay was New Years Eve - the anticipation was quite literally killing me. During the day we visited Martin Place and did a bit of shopping in the Queen Victoria Building. This building was built as a monument to the long reigning monarch herself in 1898, and it really is a beautiful site not to be missed. I also enjoyed my 17th fry up of the week (you can never have to many), and finally it was time for the main event to unfold. To celebrate this occasion before most of the worlds population was pretty amazing, and to do so from the Sydney Tower was even more impressive. As the clock struck 12, the fireworks over the harbour bridge exploded in an epic display that I will remember for years to come. Sydney was pretty crowded but well organised and everyone's spirits were high which made for an all round awesome good time.

 Sydney Tower Eye

 

 Queen Victoria Building

 

 New Years Eve!

 

On the final day we took a trip out to the gorgeous and world renowned Bondi Beach. The weather was perfect if not a little too hot and the beach was absolutely crammed with people. The water was extremely clear and it really was the best way to spend my final day in Sydney, Australia.

 Bondi Beach

 

Pacific Ocean

Overall Sydney is a beautiful city and I had a fantastic time exploring it, but to be able to spend this Christmas with my nearest and dearest just absolutely made it for me. Its funny what living alone in a different country does to a person. I am grateful for the people I have back home more than ever, but I have also found a new appreciation for this experience in Korea, and am looking forward to what 2016 will bring to the table.

So Korea...lets be 'aving ya! Sold!