G'day from Sydney

Sydney Opera House (in the rain)

The world famous Bondi Beach
Look closely and you will see surfers, even when it's only 60 degrees.

Darling Harbour view from our hotel!

Sydney Convention Center Courtyard

G'day mates,
We safely arrived in Sydney on Tuesday, after an incredible drive on The Great Ocean Road across South Australia, Victoria and then into New South Wales. The ocean views were beyond breathtaking! I have seen several oceans, but none compare to what you see in Australia! Unfortunately I wasn't able to update my blog, due to limited internet access in the "outback".

Sydney is also an incredible city! Our penthouse is overlooking the Darling Harbour, and not far from the famous Sydney Opera House. We unfortunately encountered our first rainfall since arriving in Australia 3 weeks ago, but it hasn't stopped us from seeing all the sights. It's hard to take good photographs in the rain, so I may have to break down and buy a book with someone else's photos.
Sydney is the kind of city you can spend a week or two in, and not run out of things to see. The waterways, harbours, fountains, and urban landscapes are fascinating!
Tomorrow is our last day in Australia, and our plan is to take a ferry cruise around the waterways, and finish with the evening lights around the Opera House and Harbour bridge.

South Australian Countryside

Today was my last day to tour the countryside around Crafers, SA., where Mike & Padma live. Padma took me on a road trip, so I could have one last chance at photographing the countryside. It's hard to believe that all the photos on this Blog were taken within a one-hour drive of their home.

Tomorrow we will spend packing, and then heading out on Sat morning for a week-long road trip along the Great Ocean Road to Sydney. We will spend 3 days in Sydney and then head for home via LA. From what I hear, the trip to Sydney will be loaded with photo ops. I'm afraid my family is getting tired of me already, yelling "stop" every time we pass something beautiful. The photos I have posted are only a few of the 1300+ photos I have taken.

My new friends.....

This was the highlight of the trip so far. I found a new love in my life! Toby might have some competition!

Granite Island

Port Adelaide

We all agreed today that if Dane had seen this, he would have been out there joining them in no time!!!

Barossa Valley Vintage Festival

Today we spent the day in the Barossa Valley wine country....of course this was going to be a highlight for me. My brother Mike is a freelance editor for the Australian Wine industry and we were invited to "tea" at the home of Paul and Fran Clancy, owners of the Clancy Fuller vineyards. What a treat that was! Then we joined them for the Vintage Festival Parade and celebration! The Aussie's sure know how to have a good time....especially in the wine country! We were introduced to several of Mike's clients, including Jacob's Creek, Yolumba, and Rockport winerys. There were few people along the parade route that did not have a glass of wine in their hand...it's the Aussie way! The Bunco gals would have loved it!

Autumn in Adelaide

New Koala Sighting

My brother and sister discovered this cute little guy napping in a tree across the street from the house. I was sure he was going to fall out of the tree. The folks in the neighborhood have named him Emmet.