Sydney - The Penultimate Full Day

It was finally cloudy and rainy, for which I was extremely grateful. We started with a walk through the Botanical Gardens which is just opposite our hotel. That walk showed us a flock of cockatoos with no more fear of humans than NY pigeons. It eventually led us to the Sydney Opera House from another angle and gave us time to look into some of its external details, including the tiles we did not know covered it. (Some critics have referred to them as "bathroom tiles."

Next stop was the Sydney Aquarium. At first we were sorely disappointed. It was a highly controlled series of passages and nooks, somewhat shabby, overcrowded and claustrophobic. The last quarter was good, dealing with the Barrier Reef, the rooms opened up and the tanks were much larger. Observation of the endangered dugong was a highlight as was the final panoramic window full of colorful corals and the penguin section.

After that we took a taxi to Balmain, a classy internal suburb.
There, Emma bought a summer dress and we walked a few kilometers down Darling St, its main thoroughfare. When we asked a woman who was leaving a shop how far it was to the ferry (our intention being to take one from Balmain to Circular Quay near our hotel) she said "Hop in, I'll drive you there." And she did, about a kilometer on. The rain came down heavily as we waited on the covered barge which serves as a ferry stop. The $7.20 price asked by the automated ticket machine for the 20-minute ride to Circular Quay seemed high. But transit prices are generally high here. A bus ride can vary from $3.50 to $5.50 depending on the time of day. (Australian dollars)

After a short rest we took a taxi to the Paddington inner suburb for a much-anticipated dinner at Saint Peter, a young chef's restaurant which has collected a lot of buzz. It was disappointing, not bad but lacking true hospitality and not at the level we look for. And so, we walked a bit on Oxford St. the main drag and took a taxi back. So ended the penultimate full day in Sydney.

Going to bed at about 8:30 a brief but spectacular burst of fireworks sounded out, drew us to the window and lit up the park across from us. I was too slow to get a photo. 

Once again the photos have uploaded out of order and I am pressed for time so I will leave them out of order.

Calamari at Saint Peter in Paddington. There was an ink sauce underneath which the waiter didn't tell be about until I was a third into it.

The woman who gave us a lift in Balmain.

Proof that Balmain is upscale.

Darling St., Balmain

Proof that Balmain cares for dogs.

Sawfish

Coral

Coral with large clam and anemones

Feeding time.

Penguins swimming

Ray moving overhead in viewing tunnel.

Dugong - aquatic, air-breathing mammal, vegetarian.

Rockfish, master of camouflage, highly poisonous spines.

Touching the tiles on the Sydney Opera House.

Seabird

Art in Botanical Gardens.

Cockatoo in Botanical Gardens.

Seen from the Botanical Gardens, our room in the Sir Stamford Hotel is second from the left on the top floor.