Sydney!

Ever thought that Australia was just a stone's throw away from asia? Do you know how long it takes to fly from Singapore to Sydney? 7.5 hours! and that's a direct flight.

Erik was 'Down Under' last week to do a bike race, so I jumped on a plane to meet up with him in Sydney while he was on his way back to Canada. My journey was till shorter than Erik's, but...really...would you have thought Singapore-Sydney flight would somewhere approximate Calgary-London?

The last time I was in Sydney was almost 20 years ago, so it was interesting to see the city through my adult eyes and also how things have changed.

Our hotel was right near the Opera house, which made it i) a beautiful place to relax, ii) close to some great dining, and ii) a wonderful starting point for some rainy but warm cycling.

By day, our adventures mostly took us North of the city. Moving around by bicycle allows you to appreciate the little differences - the sounds and smells. And it's a great excuse to check out the Aussie hospitality when you stop to take a break. In usual Erik fashion, this included indulging in a fancy drink.By night, we checked out the waterfront restaurant scene. A nice range of world cuisine. It was fun to just walk about and fool around. Good place to spend a long weekend, even if it was a long journey (for both of us).