The Sydney Splurge

So Saturday was Mark's last night in Australia and he finally made a decision!! No hostel, we would stay at a hotel in Sydney. I looked some up and found the Amora hotel near "The Rocks". We woke up Saturday morning to dense fog up in the Blue Mountains and I went for a cold run - first in over a month! The day before, we found out that marathon "The Six Foot Track" was actually being held on Saturday - Mark tried to get me to sign up for it last minute and as much as I really wanted to do it, I just don't think I was prepared for it, so I decided not to run it. Maybe it will be something I come back to do...who knows...

We got everything packed up and drove down into the city. WOW, I almost forgot how much I hate driving in cities and Sydney is now on the top of my list...after many turns, u-turns, a trip across the bridge and back, we finally made it into the city. We had to run a few errands first, but finally made it to our hotel around 1pm. We parked the car and I was thrilled to not have to drive anymore - we will walk around the rest of the time in the city.

Our room was on the 28th floor, but the view was mostly of other tall buildings around us. We could catch a glimpse of the Opera House, so I guess it was something! I wasn't complaining though because we had our own room, comfy beds, big pillows (I took the extra one), robes, slippers, a bathtub, WASHCLOTHS!!!, mini bar, TV, ironig board, pens to take, etc - you get the point?!??! In other words, I haven't had many of these luxuries in the last two months...

Next we headed out on a tour around the Harbour Bridge, Circular Quay, the Opera House and the Botanical Gardens so Mark could get some pictures and take a tour of the city - it was a clear, sunny day, so hee lucked out. Then we did some souvenir shopping (my first since arriving here). Mark wanted a digeridoo, but after seeing the prices, he had to get a beer before allowing himself to fork out that cash. We got a Toohey's at the Mercantile Hotel (voted bestt Irish pub in Sydney) and then went back to to the booth so Mark could spend some more money! That was all he wanted too see/do and since I have seen it all before, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy the pool and hot tub - for free!!! Yes, the things you miss while backpacking. I totally needed both and it was so refreshing.

After the relaxing part, we walked back down to The Rocks area for dinner. We both had pasta with seafood (another splurge!) and it tasted wonderful. I felt so out of place, but it was nice to actually sit down in a nicer restaurant and enjoy the beautiful evening. After dinner, we went to Jackson's on George for another drink, but were stuft and tired, that we went back to the hotel after one drink. It was so nice to lounge around in the room, watch free movies and be able to lay all my "crap" out too sort out and repack.

Even though the beds were a deluxe size (about 3 inches wider than a normal sizee), they were very comfortable and I slept really well. Much needed rest after another long and exciting day!