dinner cruise

After visiting the Blue Mountains, I had lunch
at a Chinese restaurant, enjoyed walking at a town
like Karuizawa in Shinshu and came back to my hotel
in Sydney by bus.

Everybody except me on the bus was taking a nap
but I kept looking out of the window.

Wherever I go by bus or train, I like watching scenery
from my window.

In the evening I enjoyed a dinner cruise around the Sydney Cove.

( a Chinese group )

The Blue Mountains

On the morning of July 23 my tour group left the hotel
for the Blue Mountains, World Heritage Listed National Park.

What a beautiful day!
It took about two hours by bus from the hotel.
The Blue Mountains is one of Australia's natural wonders.

Its rainforest, canyons, tall forests or heathlands
--everything made me excited.

I wished I could enjoy bushwalking in the Blue Mountains.







(the Three Sisters )


( from the bus window back to the hotel in Sydney)

City of Sydney

Early in the morning of July 22, around 7:30 a.m.
by local time, I arrived at Sydney International Airport.

It was cloudy in the morning.
The weather was changeable in Sydney.
Very soon it cleared and the sun began to shine.
I felt cold and put on more layers of clothing.

My tour group consisted of 32 people, almost all of them
were families. I was the only member that joined the tour alone.
I didn't mind it at all, though. Everybody was so kind to me.

Sydney was an exciting city, full of activity and energy.
It was Sunday. Many Sunday markets were open in the Rocks
District. People were gathering there and enjoying themselves
in their own way.

I liked Mrs. Macquarie's Point in Royal Botanic Garden.
It was a nice spot. I sat on Mrs. Macquarie's Chair.

The building of Sydney Opera House was absolutely spectacular.
Little children in full dress were waiting with their parents
in the lobby. What were they going to perform?

Before dinner I went to a shopping mall with a young couple.
I was only looking around the stores.
The couple bought many expensive things.

I enjoyed buffet dinner and beautiful night view at Sydney Tower.

( Sunday markets at the Rocks )


( Harbor Bridge and Opera House )


( night view from Sydney Tower )

Hello, I'm home!

Last night I came back to my apartment in Tokyo.

A sad news was waiting for me. One of my friends
in Niigata passed away so suddenly during my absence.
I'd like to visit his wife and console her on her husband,
when I go back to Niigata next month.

Man's life vanishes like the dew.

Many of you have ever been to Australia.
Probably you know more than I do.

Australia is a big country and I visited only a small part
of it---Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast.
These cities are in the subtropics. It was winter there.

It was not so cold as I had expected.
I enjoyed winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

going on a trip to Australia

Tomorrow I'm flying to Sydney in the late evening.
It will be my first visit to Australia.
I hope I'll have a nice trip.

See you soon.

(in the neighborhood)