A traveller's tale of two wizards of Oz.Byline: by VICKI KELLAWAY I KNOW what you're thinking," says my new flight attendant friend as he struggles towards me with a tray of drinks. I doubt he does. I've been in Sydney just 12 hours and now I'm standing in my favourite dress and heels in a bar, watching a Drag Queen on stage judge a rather fearsome karaoke battle. It's not how I would usually spend a Monday night. "You're thinking this place looks rather familiar," says my new friend encouragingly. I turn again to study the shimmer of dancing, singing and revelry Revelry Revenge (See VENGEANCE.) Reward (See PRIZE.) Bacchanalia festival in honor of Bacchus, god of wine. [Rom. Religion: NCE, 203] Boar’s Head Tavern scene of Falstaff’s carousals. [Br. Lit. that is the Stonewall stone·wall v. stone·walled, stone·wall·ing, stone·walls v.intr. 1. Informal a. Hotel on the city's infamously lively Oxford Street. "You've seen Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert right? Well, this is the bar where their whole adventure begins," he says with a grin, clearly eager to join in the fun. So, this is it. Less than a day in this crazy city and I'm already in a movie. I can hardly say I'm surprised. My day began in the ornate luxury of Sydney's Observatory Hotel, with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in one hand and a plate of scrambled eggs and salmon in the other. A quick dip and sauna in the hotel spa and even the world's worst jet lag was soon forgotten. I was equally exhilarated ex·hil·a·rate tr.v. ex·hil·a·rat·ed, ex·hil·a·rat·ing, ex·hil·a·rates 1. To cause to feel happily refreshed and energetic; elate: We were exhilarated by the cool, pine-scented air. - because nothing beats the time difference like a stiff breeze and the sun on your face - by my touristy determination to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge The Sydney Harbour Bridge is the main crossing of Sydney Harbour carrying rail, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district (CBD) and the North Shore. . At 189 Australian dollars (pounds 83) it was probably the most expensive stroll I'd ever taken - if you call climbing ladders and bouncing across steel girders a stroll - but the view was certainly worth it. It's family friendly too but just make sure you've had nothing to drink because you will be breathalysed and you can expect extensive health and safety checks before you start to climb. Now, I'm not one to hang around a city centre - I do enough shopping at home - so I soon caught the ferry to Manly, a friendly town on Sydney's northern beaches. I wasn't alone. The place was teeming with people in posh suits, dresses and hairpieces and bizarrely, they were all heading to the pub. I couldn't resist following and soon stepped straight into the chaos of Melbourne Cup day racing. The atmosphere was electric. A bookmakers' kiosk was attached to the bar - either philanthropic genius or a budding national disaster - and everyone was having a flutter. I stayed long enough to pick a few losers, pick up a few tips, pick an unfancied horse and watch it romp home. I picked up my EUR EUR In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Euro. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. 234 (pounds 103) winnings on the way out. It was just so easy to get caught in the hectic rush of Sydney, particularly when I moved to the boutique Diamant Hotel and found a whole new social swirl on my doorstep. I caught the bus to Bondi to stuff my face with seafood and surreptitiously watch the surfing. I also spent many an enjoyable coffee watching the sun sparkle on the Opera House. All in all, I was in a pretty good mood when I flew to Brisbane. I collapsed straight into the arms of the smart Quay West Suites and, sensing I was about to sleep my way to oblivion (you can delay jet lag, but you can't ignore it) I walked straight out again. It was only early afternoon and I headed for another ferry - this time to cross the river to the man made beach on Brisbane's South Bank, with it's huge pool and piles of imported sand. It's a city with much to offer. Stepping into the botanical gardens was like stepping into a rainforest, full of exotic tropical creatures. I naturally needed good food to keep me going and was particularly pleased to discover a gem of a restaurant called ChaChaChars on the city's popular Eagle St Pier, with its enormous winelist and speciality meats. The next morning I couldn't wait to cuddle a koala koala (kōä`lə), arboreal marsupial, or pouched mammal, Phascolarctos cinereus, native to Australia. Although it is sometimes called koala bear, or Australian bear, and is somewhat bearlike in appearance, it is not related to true and stroke a kangaroo so I drove to the nearby Lone Pine koala sanctuary Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which was founded in 1927, is the world's oldest and largest Koala Sanctuary. The Koala Sanctuary is in the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket. There is also an entrance to the sanctuary from the Brisbane River. . Maria Carey, Westlife and even the late Pope John Paul Pope John Paul is the name of two Popes of the Roman Catholic Church:
You will fall in love with these gentle, doe-eyed creatures with their soft mouths and ridiculously powerful tails and definitely want to bring one home. Travel Tips Vicki Kellaway stayed at the Observatory Hotel (from pounds 134 a night) and the Diamant Hotel (from pounds 83 a night) in Sydney. She stayed at the Quay West Suites (from pounds 95 a night) in Brisbane. Climbing Sydney Harbour Bridge costs from pounds 83. b3A visit to the Lone Pine Sanctuary costs pounds 10 per adult with family discounts available. By Vicki Kellaway CAPTION(S): OUTSTANDING: Enjoy Sydney and Brisbane (inset); CUTE: Koala bears are a big attraction |
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