We had a great time! We spent a lot of time walking around Sydney saying “Yeah, we can live here”
Sydney is beautiful, and the people walking around are strikingly attractive… and fit! Everyone’s been really kind. It’s bustling city during the day, and interestingly enough, quite lively also at night. We saw far more people partying down on a Thursday evening and clubs and bars than I could have ever expected.
The city itself is only about 200 years old. It was founded mostly on the backs of prisoners exiled from the United Kingdom for crimes against the crown… such as stealing bread. It’s clean, sunny and the architecture is very modern. No matter which part of town you visit, the building style is never in contrast and you feel like you can pick up any structure, relocate it and it would still fit in. It’s an interesting marriage between (what feels to me) a European and American influence.
We spent our first day, primarily on a tour bus. I’ve found that it’s the best way to get your bearings around town, quickly see the primary tourist attractions, and figure out which activities to do in more detail later. The bus didn’t make many stops, but we did manage to take some pictures at some of the most recognizable points. We enjoyed an appetizer of kangaroo and crocodile meat that night. Both were remarkably tasty!
Through our time in Sydney we also did the Harbor BridgeClimb and a keeper-guided tour of the Toronga Zoo. We’d certainly recommend both to first-timers in the area.
Following Sydney we headed down to Jervis Bay for a few days. We stayed at a bed and breakfast right on the beach and we spent a bunch of time with David. We visited the naval bases, and Shane had a chance to go play inside one of the helicopter flight simulators that the seamen use in training. He had a blast — I got nausea 
Our last stop-over was in Palm Cove, which is 20 miles north of Cairnes, close to the Great Barrier Reef. It was hot, muggy and yet wonderful. We had a suite w/ the Outrigger hotel bigger than our place! The hotel had the sweetest pool I’ve ever had the pleasure of climbing into. The water was bathwater warm, there was sand on one side and a bar-hut on the other. You can swim up to the counter and order yourself a drink. I had the best smoothies there ever.
We truly didn’t want to leave. Our car was supposed to pick us up at 2:30 for our flight back to Sydney, and as of 2:00 we were still in the pool. I cried a little getting out.
So as I leave this story, I pose one question: why do honeymooners constantly get gifted champagne? We got it every place we stayed in, and I DON’T EVEN DRINK it! I’d rather you have the option of booze or fruit basket. With that heat, I’ll take a fruit basket any day.
