I don't get many chances to play tourist in my own city, nor days adventuring with my family, so I combined the two and we all caught the train into town on the weekend.
The best way to get teens out of bed, is to promise a hearty breakfast at the destination. Hence, less than an hour later we were having a delicious hot breakfast at Bona Fides on Druitt street, Town Hall. It is a lovely medium sized cafe with most tables outdoors and set down a little alley way. A history of this little lane is written on the ground.
I'm no food critic but breakfast was very tasty and the organic coffee delish. Such good moods were induced by full bellies that I was able to quickly drag the family into three bookstores before the protests began (Abbeys, Galaxy and Kinokuniya). Working in a book store does not seem to cure you of wanting to go into others!
I was rather shocked to find my husband who has worked in the city all his life had never been on the monorail, so we did the full loop. I didn't realise one of my boys spent the whole ride contemplating how well the monorail was attached to it's track! We alighted at Darling Harbour and after a quick look around to see what was on, we headed towards The Rocks. There were so many beautiful little terraces we passed and some large fine old houses that I'm afraid I don't know the history of. Theres a big horrible development whose name I won't mention, taking up that part of the waterfront. I'm afraid the peace and relative quiet of so many little old houses will soon be gone.
Despite the fact that my husband seemed to know the area well by all the old pubs visited in years gone by, he had no trouble leading us round the streets and up steps till I called for a detour to Observatory Hill.
What a view! It must look spectacular on any day, looking as it does past Walsh bay and onto the Harbour and bridge but we were extra lucky with clear blue skies and sunshine- I could have taken a picture with a brick and it would have come out well. I have never been to the observatory itself- another adventure mentally booked for the future.
With a promise of ice cream at The Quay, we set off again through my favourite part of The Rocks. Sandstone is everywhere and you can't help imagining the convicts breaking their backs cutting it a few hundred years ago. Amazing!
The markets were on as usual but I was out-numbered by males 3 to 1 and didn't stand a chance of browsing. Plus, there was that ice cream I'd promised, luring them on!
We cut through to the Quay via the Nurses Walk, I think it's called- tiny old buildings, walkways and worn steps. In one spot they have left the foundations of a home (perhaps it is two) so you can see the size of the places they lived in. It has a funny atmosphere to it though it is only small and out in the open.
After the quiet back way, it is a shock to walk out onto the crowded Quay.It is the Festival of Sydney at the moment and school holidays, so the waterfront is bustling with people and buskers.
With all the ferries,water taxi's and jet-boats bobbing enticingly on the water, my younger son wanted to catch a boat somewhere. I couldn't blame him, the harbour looked beautiful and it would be nice to get away from the crowds, but it will have to wait another day.
I am not an ice cream fan, so it has to be good stuff to entice me, which is why I will happily eat the amazing stuff at Gelatissimo- and no I am not being paid to say this! I had two scoops in a cone- panetone and coconut- mm mm.
Lastly we walked around to the Opera House, because you just have to, and the boys sat on the fountain and played with the water jets. You are never too old to do this, especially if you get to chuck water at your sibling.
With a promise of a fish and chip lunch back on home turf (this carrot thing really works), we all headed back to collapse gratefully on the train, having had a thoroughly lovely adventure in the city.
