Sydney Day 1

We arrived at a McDonalds for dinner at 6AM. This McDonalds was a very nice one with chandeliers and a nice Cafe with coffee/danishes/cakes. All the McDonalds here are really nice and not the junk we see in the States---well managed and kept restaurants with far less fat content. I brought my own cereal anyway----its so expensive even at McDonalds!
Then it was off to the city---we walked up and over the Harbour Bridge. We only did the walk across the base of the bridge, actually climbing it costs over AUS$100. So we just took the base walk--its was beautiful and sunny and started to warm up now that it was 8:30AM. After the bridge we walked in part of the town called the Rocks---lots of business shops, boats/ships on the water, ferry boarding docks and then up to the opera house. We had some extra time so we walked around the botanical gardens next to the opera house and took tons of pictures by the bridge/opera house---I cannot believe I am here right now--its something I have only seen in pictures/tv and now I am here! And Oprah was just here less than a month ago? It is nuts but I am enjoying every minute I can. The opera house was just beautiful--we got a tour with a guide named Nick--not going to lie he was blond, blue eyes---very attractive! He showed us all the smaller rooms including the Playhouse, Concert hall, Studio, and Drama Theatre. We also went in the very front where it arches out and the view from there is incredible of the bridge, the ocean, the city!
Then we went to grab some lunch and catch a ferry to Taronga Zoo. The ferry ride was only 10 minutes long and it brought us across the ocean to the zoo. To get into the zoo we had to take a cable car up to the top of the zoo. It was much like an enclosed ski lift--fitting 6 people. We traveled all the way, seeing elephants, chimpanzees as we went over their heads. This zoo looked amazing! Once we got to the top, we mapped out where we want to start and headed to explore--the first exhibit was koals--they were adorable! Colin, Abby, and Lyn (Australian professor) decided to go an animal encounter with a koala which meant we got to get a foot away from one and take lots and lots of pictures---this was thrilling! My head was maybe 6 inches from a sleeping koala---good thing she was sleeping---we were told they do not like people or other koalas at all!
We got to spend about 10 minutes with the koalas and then went to explore the rest of the zoo. I came about 4 feet from the head of a giraffe--they were being feed and came right up to the people with carrots--such beautiful animals. I also got to experience a wonderful seal show--this show was amazing! I was thoroughly impressed by the two seals! They did many tricks--pretended to be sharks, jumped to hit a ball above the pool, made loud noises, turned on a sprinkler and also threw out trash---its was very entertaining. At the zoo I also saw chimpanzees who were feisty---running around screaming and chasing each other---I could hear them the minute I walked into the zoo. I finished with the reptile house where I saw huge pythons, anacondas, turtles, and iguanas. Brandon I highly suggest you work here!!

After leaving the zoo, we went and checked into the hostel. The rooms all had bunk beds and a communal shower down the hall--like the dorms. I shared my room with Abby and Casey. We all showered quickly and then got back on the bus for a little night tour or the city and also dinner. We stopped at a meat pie place called Harry's, however, a few of us were not feeling that so we walked around town for a bit to find something else. I struggled a lot tonight finding something to eat this area and ended up heading to a local pub and having the left-overs of some of the students pizza/bread--luckily I had some snacks on the bus! We toured the city looking at popular areas and getting a feel for the city before the day out tomorrow! We retreated back to the hostel and went on the 9th floor which had a pool/sauna for a little while before going to bed. What a packed first day!