What Sydney has

Easter saw the female part of the Irvine family on a road trip to Sydney. It's ages since we have been in Sydney and Steph claimed she couldn't remember it at all. Given that she moved away at age 18 months and has only been back once or twice since, she's probably right.

My lovely friend Lisa kindly lent us her apartment at White Bay for a few days and we were off. This trip was all about what Sydney has that Canberra doesn't.

1. Panzerotti

One of my favourite Sydney things is having a panzerotto at Pasticcierra Papa at Haberfield. When we lived in Sydney and my sister was in Rodd Point, this was a regular occurance on the weekend.

A panzerotto is a sweet bread filled with ricotta and dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar. Heaven with a cup of coffee. One each for breakfast and then one each takeaway to have later on.
2. Taronga Zoo

Sydney has Taronga Zoo. I have been going to Taronga Zoo my whole life and watching it change and develop is fascinating. Since our last visit they have finished the entry plaza and some more animal enclosures and are now working on a new home for the chimpanzees. I remember when that area first opened.... 25 years ago?

So despite the weather, we headed for the zoo, met up with grandpa and checked out the animals.
Sydney has elephants. Baby elephants. Baby elephants that play in the water from the hose. Enough said.

3. Shopping
Birkenhead Point, the Kumfs outlet store. Two pairs of shoes reduced from $225 to $99. Need I say more?

4. Taronga Zoo again
Easter Sunday was sunny and beautiful so we went back to the zoo.

Seal show, penguins, playground, rainforest aviary... and beautiful views over Sydney harbour.
5. Balmoral Beach

A sunny afternoon on Balmoral Beach is the perfect place for children to play.

It's a harbour beach so there are no waves. The island is great for those who like scrambling on rocks.

It's close to home so when you swim in your clothes, going home only dressed in a towel doesn't matter much.

6. Rain
Sydney has rain. Canberra doesn't have nearly as much, nearly as often. Of the four days we spent there, three were wet. There are some pluses to life in the National Capital.

We'll go back again, for more things we don't have here. My list includes a ferry, Hyde Park, Chinatown...

But we came home to a tree that looks like this.

Nice.