Every day we went on walkabouts discovering the city and her people.

Once we even met a queen.

Queen Victoria, presiding over the plaza in front of her elegant shopping center.

It has to be said, though, our balcony view were priceless!

And when a friend flies across a continent to welcome you, that’s pretty priceless as well! My mate from boarding school, way back when we were teenagers, came from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to visit with us for a few hours. She knows Sydney well and we walked through the CBD to the historical The Rocks neighborhood, while she pointed out the sights and sites.

When I expressed delight upon seeing these ibises in an urban setting, however, I got the typical Aussi response. They’re a nuisance, like pigeons.

I came across this mural copied from an iconic picture of Brown Bear Lane when we were perambulating in The Rocks after lunch. The Rocks is the oldest settled neighborhood in Sydney. The linked blog post about this unique area was published in 2010 by the webmaster of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority.

Germans in Sydney, what can I say …

Enjoying an al fresco Italian lunch in The Rocs

Thanks, Gaby!