Sydney - Kangaroos, not Cows

As we turn the corner twice, we wonder why there are so many Asians here... Until we realize that we are in Chinatown! Kind of funny.

The sun is even sharper here than in New Zealand, so we have to put on sunscreen or lose! We let ourselves be carried away by the hustle and bustle of the city center to get an overview. Some things immediately stand out: although there are thousands, if not millions of people ;) around you, there is no rush and hardly any noise (except for the street noise of course) - this may be because everyone is busy with their smartphone and themselves. 'Coffee to go' cups are THE accessory that you can get on every corner. Luckily, there are trash cans here (unlike in New Zealand), otherwise we would be swimming in cups.

The harbor district is the heart of Sydney, where tourists and business people stroll through the streets. Right next to it is the most important building, the Sydney Opera House. It takes your breath away! In the background, the Harbour Bridge rises, rounding off the picture with its impressive skyline.

You can easily explore the metropolis with a bus tour, even if you get a little sunburned, and you can also visit more distant neighborhoods. A special highlight is the world famous Bondi Beach, where we spend a whole day trying to ride some waves.

A soda and lemonade with a view of the beach on the rooftop is also in the budget.

We take the ferry to visit other beaches and bays, which is very cheap and also gives us a great view of the skyline.

We spend a whole day getting to the Blue Mountains. Afterwards, we go to the animal park, where we can experience kangaroos, koalas, and other animals up close.

On Friday, our last day in Sydney, the whole city is bustling. The reason for this is 'Australia Day', the national holiday, where many people dress in the national colors of the 'Aussies'. Ship parades, national anthem, air show - we get the full program and enjoy the last hours before we head to the airport.

The journey home is mostly calm, although with some turbulence in the equator area. Sydney - Beijing (10.5 hours), 8 hours layover, Beijing - Vienna (9.5 hours), we've had enough of flying for now ;)

We have arrived back home safely - it's incredible how quickly time has passed, but fortunately we are not the only ones feeling that way.