"What have you done in Sydney that you cannot do in Texas?"

(PRECAUTION: lots of words, just enjoy the pictures)

During one of our group tours, a man asked us what we've done in Sydney that we cant do in Texas... well my answer was simply. Pretty much everything! Maybe minus the pizza and gelato. Of course, there's things I can do in Texas that I cant do in Sydney too.

Five days of independent travel, so off to Sydney we all went. Leaving at the crack of dawn (or I guess before the crack of dawn), we made it safely to Sydney and earned a $130 Virgin Blue flight voucher along the way... too bad its only for Australian domestic flights. Kelsey, Jessica, and I hit the streets checking off as many sights as possible from my Top 10 tour book. Saw the grounds of the first cricket match from 1803 at Hyde Park, rubbed a pig's nose outside the hospital for good luck, honored Australian WWI victims at Anzac Memorial, went through a wordy Rocks Museum, and shopped around the Rocks Street markets. But one of the most exciting tours was watching the “Sticky” company make their handmade delicious lollies (candy).

Then of course we had to see the beautiful Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Surrounded by thousand of Asian tourists, we discovered that a group of them wanted a picture WITH us.. this request took us about five minutes to understand but we did it.. here's the picture.

And the first day was still going strong when we cleaned up for dinner at Nick's Seafood Restaurant at Darling Harbour, I had a delicious salmon platter. Then to our surprise, we finished dinner at 9pm just in time for a stunning firework show with some gelato to complete day one!

Day Two... Experienced Hillsong Church in Sydney for a Sunday morning service, the message and sermon were both refreshing. Then we changed into our walking shoes and began touring the city once more. After a fun lunch at a local pizzeria in The Rocks markets, Jessica and I left the group and went on an Opera House tour. It was well worth the student price and climbing of 200 plus stairs to experience the history behind the Opera House. We saw where Leyton Hewitt was married with this interesting bright purple carpet... Personally I like looking at the Opera House from the outside shinning in the sun.

Afterward, Jess and I made it over to the Royal Botanic Gardens for more views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House from Mrs Macquarie's Chair. We met up with Kelsey and grabbed a bite to eat at an Australian version of Chipotle. It felt good to eat some quesadilas with chips and salsa.

Day Three.. Jess, Kels, and I booked a full day tour with Tours R Us. We hit up the 2000 Olympic Park and Featherdale Wildlife Park on the way to the mountains. It was a quick stop to Olympic Park but we drove through most of the park then walk around the main ANZ Stadium and torch lighting. The wildlife park wasn't much of a thrill for me besides the crocodile feeding and stamping a passport of the various animals.

Up the mountains to Katoomba Village for lunch at Common Grounds) and viewing of The Three Sisters from Echo Point. Onto the Blue Mountains, across a Skywall to see Katoomba Falls. By the time we took the Scenic Railway down to the valley (the steepest railway in the world), it was definitely a rainforest down there. We quickly took a few pathways and caught the cableway back to the top. With a river boat cruise back to Circular Quay.. 6 modes of transportation for the day (tour bus, scenic railway, cableway, skywall, harbour river cruise boat, and feet).

Day Four... What a day. Kels, Jess, and I started the day with breakfast at the famous Pancakes on the Rocks. Oprah's fans are flooding into the city and were eating at tables next to us, the city's getting ready for her show on Monday. Then we made our way to the Sydney Harbour bridge climb!! We did it. We climbed the bridge. After an hour of instruction and preparation, we were suited up and ready to climb. The hardest part of the journey was the beginning walking across see through mesh-like grounds and climbing extremely skinny and steep steps but once you make your way up those steps its smooth sailing. Climbing the actual huge curve of the bridge is a piece of cake, most of the time we didn't even bother holding the railing (yes Dad, I was still strapped in dont worry). No cameras are allowed up the bridge but we did purchase some group shoots. After the breathtaking sights, we caught a ferry over to Manly Beach and relaxed for a few hours before dinner and gelato (a routine ending to our Sydney nights).

Day Five... Shopping! We rewarded ourselves and our feet, with a day off of touring and shopped through David Jones, Myer, and Westfield mall. David Jones is like NYC's version of Macy's at Thanksgiving square, 8 stories tall spanning over two blocks with Christmas window figurings and music. But no souvenirs from this traveler.. pick your favorite picture and that can be your souvenir.

Cheers to Australia, hello New Zealand.