Sydney – Saving the Best for Last

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Our third visit – and we still can’t get enough!

We’re back in Sydney – together, for the third time. And we already know: this city is a gem. Sydney bursts with energy and beauty. Over 100 breathtaking beaches hug the coastline, lush parks invite you to pause, and in the middle of it all, the city pulses with art, food, and cultural diversity. A true melting pot – and exactly what we love about it!

Falling in love with this place is simply unavoidable.

Precision at sea: A massive cruise ship squeezes beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge – a quiet spectacle in the fading afternoon light.

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Arrival with a View

The next few days are all about walking, wandering, and wondering. We return our rental car at the airport and take a taxi into town. The “Shangri-La” will be our home for a short while – and what a view: from the 21st floor, the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are right at our feet.

The iconic Opera House framed by clouds, waves, and skyscrapers – Sydney revealed as a city of contrasts: between art, water, and vertical ambition.

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Aboriginal Music at Circular Quay

We stroll along Circular Quay, where a group of Aboriginal musicians is playing the didgeridoo – deep, resonant, and almost hypnotic.

Aborigines am Circular Quay. Timeless sound – the soul of Australia meets the heartbeat of the city.

 

Interesting note: in traditional Aboriginal culture, the didgeridoo is played only by men – a spiritual custom still widely respected today.

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Manly Wharf & Ocean Breeze

We catch a ferry to Manly Wharf – officially for the seaside charm, secretly for the skyline views from the water. On this hot February day, the breeze on the top deck is pure bliss.

A quick glance at Sydney’s most iconic views: the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, the buzz of Circular Quay – all framed by the shimmering blue of the bay. Everything moves, everything flows. Yet this moment lingers: sun-drenched, vibrant, unmistakably Sydney.

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Wandering & Souvenirs

Of course, no visit is complete without browsing the souvenir shops at Circular Quay – always in search of something tasteful (spoiler: easier said than done). For lunch, we discover a small gem in The Rocks – cobbled streets, layered history, and relaxed vibes.

The Rocks – where old stones whisper of beginnings and bold new paths.

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Farewell in Light and Colour

Then it’s time – our final evening in Australia.

We raise a glass of “Brew View” (a very civilized mocktail) in the legendary Blu Bar on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La. Below us: a glowing cityscape, dazzling and unforgettable.

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One Last Look

One last glance at this radiant city – and a heart full of gratitude.

Sydney in changing light – from golden dusk to the shimmering glow of night. Two views, one feeling: quiet awe and deep gratitude for this place at the far edge of the world.

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Australian Icons – Already Ticked Off

• Uluru – flies included, awe guaranteed.
• Lizard Island. Instant Soup, Hand Pumps And Not Much Else – our very first Aussie adventure, camping and alone.
• Cairns & Daintree NP – lush, wet, wilder than expected.
• Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Bendigo, Tasmania – names full of stories and unforgettable moments.

These memories stay vivid – even after decades.

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Leaving While It’s Still Beautiful…

…is always the right time to go – or to fly.

Next stops:
📍 Auckland, New Zealand – 2,155 km, 3:12 hrs
📍 Los Angeles, USA – 10,490 km, 12:18 hrs

The flight to Auckland really flies by. We knew we’d need a visa even just to transit through New Zealand – and we were right. Short on time, we dash through the supposedly “tiny” terminal. (Spoiler: it’s not.) We just make it – boarding has already begun.

On board the Boeing 777-300 ER: a rather strange business class setup – seats angled, backs to the window. Comfort? Not quite.

And then, suddenly: time travel. 8:10 PM in Auckland becomes 11:15 AM the same day in Los Angeles. Thank you, International Date Line. Just a 3-hour time shift – and we’ve gained an entire day.

Is flying the best thing in the world? Maybe. Maybe not. But thrilling? Absolutely.

 

➡️ Next stop: Los Angeles. In the Wind of our World Trip