Sydney- day 1

So I was fortunate enough to be able to go to Sydney this weekend. I left early on Thursday morning and unfortunately my flight was delayed but I ended up landing at 11:00 AM. I caught the train to Central Station and then found my hostel which I have to admit was really quite nice. Welcome to Sydney

These purple trees are actually natives of Brazil. They are all over and absolutely beautiful. They have such beautiful coloring. (sorry I was on the bus when this picture was taken, so its a little blurry. You get the drift though)

Then I grabbed lunch and found my way to Darling Harbour. I went to the Sydney Aquarium and the National Maritime Museum. It was quite fun but the Melbourne Acquarium is better. Here are some pictures. I walked across the Pyrmont Bridge which goes across the harbour. Its quite a touristy area. Oh and did I mention I walked past the Chinese garden and the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre.

The shopping centre at Darling Harbour

Aquatic Centre named after one of my favorite Olympic gold medal swimmers

ships at the Maritime Museum

Me inside a 18th century ship

There is a USA gallery in the Maritime Museum that the Australians built for us is celebration of our close alliance

Nemo and his dad at the Aquarium

Standing by the tropical fish tank

Fairy Penguins

Oh but more about the maritime museum. They had around 7 ships in the Harbour that you could go and tour. They dated back from the late 1700s to the 1970s. They even have a small lighthouse that you can climb to the top of and see beautiful views of the Harbour. It was quite small but I was tired by the time I reached the top. I think we climbed 200 stairs.

On top of the lighthouse

beautiful gardens on my way back to the hostel. It was part of the Chines Garden

Then I happened to find a Thai restaurant so I stopped and it was the best red curry I think that I have ever had, or I was just starving. Either way, Sydney has great Thai food and you don't have to call and make a reservation first which was pretty nice.