last leg of drive...towards the big city

approx. 2-3 hour drive and still going strong  This is DEF the way to see Oz we would not have seen what we saw and met who we met by flying from city to city.   This drive took us east to Newcastle and then down the coast road through Toronto (no the other one), Lake McQuarie (again, beautiful) and then you could tell you on the approach to sydney withthe increasing level of traffic and traffic lights.  Suburban sprawl in & around sydney is HUGE!!   read a report that approx. 80% of "sydneysiders" live 20km outside the central city.   SO, a HUGE # of commuters into the city and a sprawling suburbia on all sides (well 3 sides..the ocean takes up the other side.

GPS renamed "angus" fittingly took us on a goose chase apparently as they are wont to do and wound us through ultimate suburbia.  BUt eventually we came out at the sydney harbour bridge and went other. From the bridge it is all metal and structure and you get a minute view of the opera house -- but is spectacular.  YOu may have already seen our pic at the Opera Bar??

driving in sydney in extra challenge but having mastered both NYC and JERSY city driving other than the opp side of the road this is a piece of cake.  But like NYC "time to destination" means nothing or miles/km to destination I should say.   10 minutes remaining might as well be a "Football 10 minutes" ---FOREVER!

gotto the hotel in Darlinghurst, the Manor house boutique hotel.  WHich is very nice not exceedingly elegant but most respectable.  Apparently and unbeknownstto us (but not really an issue) Darlinghurst is the edgier side of town and home to a heavy gay population so many lovely gay boys and trannies escorting us down the street. How nice!   It is sort of like NYC's meat packing district before Batali and Keith enteredthe area and "cleaned" it up.. but it is convenient a quick 5 min bus ride to the cbd. no worries mate (or a quick cab)

turned in our car hire with no damages and no incidents (apparently although not sure does not seem to be any radar gun speed traps detected==and Oz has a LOT of speed cameras along the highways but fortunately they warn you with signage where they will be so you have to be a little crazy to get zapped knowing where they are.