October 19th

We woke up at 4am this morning, the schedule's quite off. We went to the playground down the street before breakfast and found it very fun, more daring than we're used to. As Mercedes said, 'These Australians really know what they're doing!' It was also fun hearing birds songs we've never heard.

After breakfast we headed out on foot for downtown via a large park on the water with botanic gardens. The gardens were full of new-to-us plants and birds such as gum trees, fig trees, cockatoos, the praying ibis. Then the biggest surprise, trees full of fruit bats, or 'flying foxes' We couldn't believe our eyes! Some were flying, most were hanging upsidedown sleeping, scratching and stretching. Our friend Sean told us later they stop here on their migration around Australia. He said at night you might see them flying by the 1000s like black clouds over Sydney. How Gotham-esque.

Continuing along an ocean walkway we came around the corner to a classic sight, the Sydney opera house which inspired Mercedes to practice her opera. Walking around it we found a great view of the city and the Sydney harbour bridge.

Many pictures were taken this morning.

We continued on downtown and window shopped along Pitt street. We ate oranges from a stand, ate MacDonald's and Turkish kabab wraps, then walked through Hyde park on a different (shorter) route back.

There are mini house flies here that try to get in your eyes, ears, etc. Not too many though.

Back at the room at 1:30 we rubbed our sore feet then ventured out again to find a grocery store in King's cross. We found some interesting food items like chicken drumstick flavoured (and shaped) crackers. Of course we bought them.

Our greatest danger? :Looking the wrong direction for cars when we step off the curb. I think we've got it now though. No worries mate!

The kids crashed at 5, we followed suit around 8pm.