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9/1/11

Honeymoon Down Under: Sydney

Sydney Opera House
After leaving Tahoe, we had about 4 hours to pack for the honeymoon before Chase picked up for the ride to LAX. We were so excited to start the honeymoon that neither of us really gave much thought into what a long haul we were up against. We toasted each other at the airport bar then eagerly boarded the Quantas flight that would take us first to Auckland then to Sydney. The flight itself was great. We watched movies, slept, and relaxed. Kit woke me up when we crossed the international dateline, a first for me. When we landed in Auckland, we left the airport to go see the harbour, but were surprised to learn that our layover was cut in half from 8 hours to 4 hours, so we had to go back inside through security, where they made me throw away my shampoo and conditioner. What was legal carry on size in the US was not in New Zealand. It ended up being a good thing in the end because later on in the trip I would go on to find my new favorite hair products, which I will continue to order from Australia. We took the subway directly from the airport to our hotel. We were feeling pretty sluggish but perked up when the train popped out of the tunnel to reveal an incredible view of Sydney harbor and the Opera House. I will never forget how dramatic it all looked at night upon seeing it for the first time. We stayed only two stops away from Circular Quay and the Rocks which ended up being really convenient. One thing I did not prep very well for was the weather in Sydney. I packed for more of a warm weather trip, even though it was nearing spring down there, and was told it would be like winter in Hawaii. It was a bit cooler than that, but I managed just fine. I was surprised at how metropolitan the fashion was in Sydney. The woman were dressed for winter in Manhattan, even though it was upward of 70 degrees. They wore puffer vests, scarves, and boots out while I was out in rainbow sandals.
Landing In Auckland after the 13 hour flight

Maori Welcome sign



Day 1 in Sydney

Sydney looked like a mix between NYC and Honolulu.




Circular Quay

The Rocks, Sydney

The Rocks, Sydney