Last Day in Sydney

Well, our old friend, rain, returned to wish us farewell and put a damper on our last day in Sydney. But we had a plan in our back pocket for today - the last attraction from the sightseeing combo pack we purchased on the first rain day. So after breakfast we headed straight for the wildlife park. The best part about it was that it was A. Indoors and B. had one of the largest crocodiles in Australia - or so they say. It was rather large (looked about 8 or 10 feet long) and was in a water tank right next to the glass for added effect and intrigue. Besides the croc (and the nice shot I got of the kookaburra), it was pretty unremarkable. I had already been to a wildlife park in Currumbin in the Gold Coast recently and (besides the huge croc) felt that the previous park was much better. What can beat petting and feeding kangaroos?
















There was supposed to be an Indonesian festival in a nearby park, but I guess it was cancelled due to the rain, because we couldn't find it anywhere. We did stumble upon a skateboarding competition, though, and that held our interest for a few minutes anyway.

We had planned on visiting some local Saturday markets, but that would have required some walking and bus riding, so we were afraid we'd run out of time doing that one, so we basically just needed to kill some time before heading to the airport. So for the first time since we've been here, we actually went to a Starbucks. They are pretty few and far between here, but for us it was a nice change of pace from the usual coffee shops here, which don't seem to be as comfy and inviting as the coffee shops back in the States. They're not usually set up for long-term visitors, don't have internet access, and have basically a fast food sort of comfort level. So since we needed to just chill for awhile, Starbucks was the best choice. They appear to be almost exactly the same as we're used to, only better food snack choices, such as the local fare of sausage rolls, yum!

Then we headed to the airport and decided to eat lunch there for convenience. There wasn't much to choose from, of course - it is an airport, but I found one of my new fast food favorites - kebabs (of course pronounced kah-babs - like crab, not kah-bobs). And they are not meat on a stick, as you would think. They're actually gyro meat and you choose your toppings, whether salad (lettuce, tomato, onions, etc) and sauces (tahini, hummus, chili, etc.). My favorite combo is donor kebab (beef and lamb) with hummus and garlic sauce (no salad of course). Then they fold them up like an open-ended burrito and toast them. They come out warm and wonderful and the donor kebabs are very flavorful with distinct lamb flavor. They've almost replaced my Chipotle burrito cravings - almost! They are at least a decent substitute, but lack the free range, hormone-free consciousness of Chipotle.

Overall I really liked Sydney. I thought the people there were surprising friendly and I loved the multiculturalism, history, and culture missing in the Gold Coast. If I had visited earlier, I might have even been looking for a job there this whole time!