Two Russians and oysters

A trip to the Sydney tower late Wednesday morning suggested that scaling the tower was expensive and best combined with the Aquarium and Wildlife Centre. However, we had a prior engagement at 16.00 and didn't wish to rush the aforementioned attractions.

We diverted to Bondi. To the east of Sydney, sits another beach. What's the fuss about? Think Singapore Slings in Raffles, Rainforest trekking in the Daintree, why would you do it anywhere else when you've arguably experienced the best and original. So to me, Bondi wasn't a patch on Cape Trib.

This didn't stop it raining! We huddled under a tree for 10 minutes and watched the surfers. Then decided to stroll up to the Icebergs Surf Rescue club. The guide book said they were famous, and they had a pool that was washed 'clean' by the ocean swell. It was interesting to see. The book also said that atop of the clubhouse was one of Sydney's finest restaurants. This couldn't be missed, and a drink turned into a light lunch of oysters and olives!

A walk along the beach to North Bondi and a lookout was pleasant. Time was catching us up and we headed back to the YHA. Where a supplementary sandwich was in order after our light lunch. We caught him. Well at least one of them. Food thief. They ad our food earlier in the week, and this time one Korean guy took one of our beers from the fridge in front of Tom. The thief didn't seem to understand the concept of it being ours and had to be told to put it back. They are the lowest form of scum in the hostels and had we not been in such a rush we would happily have shopped him to the YHA staff.

The rush was due to our 16.00 engagement, that had become a 17.00 engagement as Matt & Sarah, who we were about to meet, had in fact done the tower and aquarium! We met them under 'the main sail' a mistake on my part, as the main sail is in fact in the middle of the building, never the less we met at the Opera House.

It was good to meet up with them, as I had worked with Matt at IBM and was great to spend some time with the two of them. We went round to the Rocks area of Sydney and had a yummy dinner of Kangaroo! Time was of the essence as we were booked to see a performance at the Opera House.

A quick call home to wish my grandmother a happy birthday (she was delighted to hear I was still alive and doing well!) and the Tchaikovsky started. I was glued to the edge of my seat for the majority of the performance of his first Piano Concerto. Stravinsky's Firebird suite followed the interval. There were times that the ballet was needed but overall another fabulous performance by the Sydney Symphony.

We joined Matt and Sarah again for a drink at the pub before they turned in for an early flight the next day.

In all a truly student type day: oysters and drinks at Icebergs, dinner at Wolfies in the Rocks, and a show at the Opera House! - oh yeah, maybe not a student day :) - a great one none the less we will both testify.

On to the next one and maybe that illusive tower.