For various reasons we’ve spent several weeks longer Down Under than originally planned, and very lovely they were too.Sydney is a truly spectacular city I’d very happily call home at some stage in the not too distant. I caught up with old friends and hooked-up with former colleagues and contacts at various newspapers and magazines.
Spectacular Sydney sunset
We hugely enjoyed the hospitality of Rachelle’s family, with lots of tasty home cooking, Tez’s garlic prawns just one of many delicious highlights. I swam in the ocean at Manly (seeing two sharks and a stingray while snorkeling) and in some of my favourite outdoor pools, strolled the eastern beaches and found a few hidden treasures I’d missed on previous visits.
Harbour Bridge from North Sydney Olympic Pool
I have a visa to live and work in Australia, and The Lucky Country is certainly that. Not only did Australia emerge from what everyone here calls the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) without falling into recession, the nation is creating more jobs than it can fill, and thanks to China’s insatiable demand for Oz’s two biggest exports (iron ore and coal), the economy looks like booming for decades to come, powered by a population growing at a faster rate than India’s and tipped to reach 35m by 2050. Then there’s the weather, the lifestyle, the general positive outlook on everything. Those beautiful blue skies. It’s certainly a contrast from Blighty.
Opera House from the steps: a rare cloud in the blue sky
We’re looking for a different challenge than Sydney or Melbourne provide, but they’re sure tempting.