The flight back was even better with him dozing off in the terminal and waking up when we were collecting our luggage back home.
On the downside this meant that he had had his sleep and was very much awake throughout the rest of the night.
Simons Sydney page |
| Bookmarks: | The flights | Travelling with Joshua | Sightseeing |
| Other holidays: | Netherlands/Bintan 1998 | My parents' visit '99 | Honeymoon 2000 |
Sydney (14 - 18 June 2001)
We had some Frequent Flyer points we needed to use this year and because both Lisa & I have used most of our holidays on Joshua's birth and the visit of my parents, did we decide to use them just before Lisa went back to work (in July).
The destination was a bit harder to choose as I have visited most tourist attractions around Australia and Lisa has visited most of Western Australia. In the end we decided on Sydney as that would offer most attractions to see in a short space of time.
This was the first time we were going to travel with Joshua we were somewhat apprehensive of how it would go, especially as it is over 4 hour flying. Often you find yourself in a plane with a screaming baby and it is not nice.
Our first precaution was to make sure that we would feed him during take-off and landing. This is when the pressure gets to your ears and you can tell a baby to swallow, but drinking does this automatically.
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We were worried for nothing:
Joshua fell asleep before we boarded the plane in Perth. He briefly
woke up and was probably the only one watching the flight attendants
security briefing. Then he fell asleep again, only to wake up when we
were on the tarmac in Sydney.
The flight back was even better with him dozing off in the terminal and waking up when we were collecting our luggage back home. On the downside this meant that he had had his sleep and was very much awake throughout the rest of the night. |
On the way to Sydney they had booked 3 seats for us, with one of those cribs in front of them. This was perfect as the extra seat gave space to put all kinds of stuff and of course he could sleep in the crib (as small as he is, he only just fitted !).
When returning we had booked business class. Unfortunately we had an old plane, which had little extra facilities. What we ended up with was virtually 3 economy seats, with the armrests moved to create 2 larger seats with a big a small area in between. That area was just big enough to put Joshua in (cushioned & secured by pillows and blankets), so it all worked out.
After the flights, we had of course to manage Joshua in Sydney. The hotel had provided a portable cot and fortunately he didn't mind sleeping in there. Warming bottles went perfectly with the small water cooker and coffee-pot (in which a bottle fitted).
From friends in Sydney (or actually their family) we had managed to borrow a stroller (and even a car-capsule) so we had transport as well.
Joshua had the time of his life ! He was very interested in all the sights and sounds around him and when he wasn't looking around he happily slept in the stroller. Whatever we did (planes, trains, taxi's, ferries, ...) he was fine with it.
In fact he was so happy in his stroller, that it has become a feature in most of our pictures (see underneath).
As we arrived on Thursday-night and left again on the Monday-evening, we really only had 3½ days to see the sights. Fortunately we had chosen an hotel in the heart of Sydney and we could walk to most attractions.
Closest by was Darling Harbour, which is where we spent the Friday. From my previous visit (back in '92) I remember the Chinese Gardens and that was our first port of call. This is marvellous garden, which makes incredible use of the little space is has available. We were also very impressed with the work done on Darling Harbour (for the Sydney Olympics) and spent the day walking around. In the evening I went to the Friday Drinks at Pink Elephant, which was nice to catch up with some ex-colleagues.
 Harbour Bridge |
Saturday we took the ferry from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay. This took us underneath the Harbour Bridge. From there we walked along the quay to the Opera House and continued into the Botanical Gardens (& Parliament House). |
| Back to the Quay and from there
we walked to the Rocks (a 'market'-type area). After lunch we walked
back from there, through the CBD, to our hotel.
In the evening we visited the farewell party of one of our friends, working for Pink Elephant (and returning back to Europe). |
 The Opera House |
Sunday we visited our friends (the one from the stroller) in Drummoyne. For this we had to take the ferry again, this time in-land. We had lunch with them and visited some factory-outlets (amongst others 'Osh-kosh' where we bought some bargain-shoes for Joshua). In the evening we had a meal in China-town.
And finally on Monday we walked across the city to see King's Cross (pretty drab during the day) and back by train after which we relaxed until it was time to go back home.
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