Melbourne beckons

Dear Friends-
As I write this, I'm entering my final few days in the city of Sydney. This week I've concentrated on savouring the cultural delights of Sydney and its environs. This Monday was Australia Day, which I celebrated by taking a walk through Chinatown to Darling Harbour where a myriad of activities were in full swing. Then I saw the National Maritime Museum, and took the ferry out from Circular Quay to Manly, proferring excellent views of the Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay and the Opera House. The next two days were spent exploring the sights of the city. St Andrew's Cathedral, where I will return on Sunday, offered welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, in terms of grandeur and architecture, it was dwarfed by the Catholic St Mary's Cathedral across Hyde Park, where photos of the sub-tropical trees were duly taken. I also walked via Woolloomooloo, alledgedly the only word to contain eight letter o's, to explore the Botanical Gardens, following the path round to Circular Quay again. Then, I tested my head for heights by walking across the Harbour Bridge to Kirribilli in North Sydney. The final two days of the week were spent partaking in trips. The first of these was to the picturesque Blue Mountains, so called because of a blue haze. I got to see native flora and fauna such as cockatoos and kangeroos in their native habitat, and took the world's steepest train at Scenic World. The second trip was a wine tour to the Hunter Valley, from which I have just returned, which may account for slightly lower journalistic standards than usual! I got to savour whites, reds, roses, white port and a range of liqeurs from four boutique wineries in one of Australia's leading wine regions. The 37 degree heat meant that the alcohol load posed a relatively stiff challenge! I got a bottle of Verdalho, so some of those living in London, may, all things going well, get to partake in it in April upon my return. On Tuesday, I cross from New South Wales to Victoria, where I expect to see loads of Victorians in bowler hats....
Yours ramblingly
Max