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AUSTRALIA HIGHLIGHTS!

PART I.....SYDNEY

Good morning!

I do hope this Wednesday finds you all well?

It has been four days since we returned from our eighteen day trip to Australia, and I am pleased to say that the jet lag hasn't been too bad...although I am awake pretty early, but the upside is that I am getting a lot done to catch up on things!

Australia was as wonderful as I had remembered it from a visit nine years ago, and when you have visited somewhere before and vaguely know your barings, there is usually more to discover on consequent trips. Sydney was our first stop, and with the early spring weather my days of exploring while 'Mr. W' had work meetings, were filled with warm sunshine and blue skies.

There are many beautiful Cities, but Sydney really does take a prize for its stunning harbour views!

The frequent ferries coming and going out of Circular Quay are the best way to travel around to the various harbours. For Sydneys' residents it must be a very relaxing and stress free way to commute in to the City...must beat the underground any day!

This is the view from our 36th floor room at the hotel 'Shangri La', down on to Circular Quay and the Opera House....quite spectacular!

There is so much to enjoy in this vibrant, laid back and sociable City....the highlight for us foodies though had to be the incredible restaurants that Sydney has to offer...as indeed the whole of Australia has to offer! With many other cultural influences, especially Asian, and the abundance of wonderful fresh ingredients on offer, Australian food has to be some of the best that I have ever tasted.

A favourite was the fabulous 'Mr. Wong's' in James Lane, which serves amazing contemporary, cantonese cuisine in a vibrant 1930's Speakeasy warehouse style....with an interior to match its stunning food, this beautiful mural on its wall must measure 12ft high.

What we loved about every incredible restaurant we went to, was the show that the chefs put on...no hiding away in a kitchen for these talented and celebrated artists!

Sunday took us to Sydney's fish market...a feast for the eyes for any seafood lover. Stall upon stall of freshly caught fish and shellfish for sale, with freshly prepared sashimi and other treats being enjoyed on large trestle tables by Sunday brunchers, including ourselves!

So, spoilt for choice on the restaurant front....but when it came to interior style and first prize for cool, chic waterfront eating, 'The Boathouse' on Balmoral Beach won hands down for me this visit....

Effortlessly chic and relaxed, with a view to die for....

...'The Boathouse' is the perfect place to find a delicious healthy lunch and a relaxed place to just sit and while away an afternoon.

....mine was spent with the lovely Lily who is one of my daughter's best friends from London. Working out here for two years, it was wonderful to catch up with this gorgeous girl and hear all about her exciting time in Sydney. Needless to say, daughter Georgie was so jealous! It would have been so wonderful if she had been over there with me too....