Lee & Di's Escapades: 9/23 and 9/24 - Sydney, and Bondi beach

09/23/2012 - Jenny took us into Sydney and we walked up on the Bridge... what spectacular views!

The Opera House is magnificent from all sides.

They have a walkway on the bridge.

This is in the middle of one of the concrete stanchions of the bridge

This little island is Ft. Denison... AKA Pinchgut Island. It was a prison that earned the name Pinchgut after a prisoner was put on bread & water for a time.

It is amazing how large the Sydney bridge is and it is still going strong since being finished in the early 1930's.

Very busy Harbor

The Ferry Docks and city from the Bridge

Archeological dig in the Rocks

Mural gives the feel of mid 1900's

Couldn't resist - it's mostly purple

Then we headed over to Hyde Park, had a nice lunch and took the train back home.

09/24/2012 - We took the train to Sydney and hopped on the ferry to Watson's Point.

The view from the ferries puts Sydney Harbor, the bridge, and the opera house in totally new perspectives.

We passed the Navy Base and Royal Australian Navy Heritage Center.

Our ferry finally arrived at Watson's Point.

Sydney views from Watson's Point...

Then we went through the Sydney Harbor National Park.

Entrance to Sydney Harbor

Incredible views in every direction.

Hole in the ledge... not safe.

We then walked to one of the neighborhood's to walk through a park and get to a fantastic hidden beach.

After a short bus ride, we arrive at the famous Bondi Beach.

Very busy beach...

lots of surfers.

Beautiful view

Way back in 1938, 3 huge, freak waves hit Bondi beach and 250 people were dragged out into the sea. The Lifeguards snapped into action and saved all but 5. It hasn't happened since and hopefully won't again.

We stopped at the Bondi Iceberg club and had a drink before heading home. This pool is fed by the sea and it is fascinating to see the swimmers doing laps as the waves break over the pool.