Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Time to explore the Garden Island. First stop was at the Spouting Horn, a blow-hole which erupts sea water like a geyser.

Spouting Horn blowhole

Then we drove into the Waimea Canyon, also known as “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”, and there is really something about it.

Waipoo Falls

Sadly, we had to skip our hiking plans, as it started to rain and the trail was very muddy. We drove deeper into the canyon, but the weather got worse – no wonder, as we got close to one of the wettest places on earth: Mt Waialeale, which means “overflowing water”.

A very common view at this lookout…

But, where’s rain, there’s also a chance for rainbows. And indeed, on our way back we got a few good rainbow-in-the-canyon pictures.

(Double) Rainbow within Waimea Canyon

Sydney

To our relief we got a hot welcome on Monday after a stormy weekend in New South Wales. Blue sky, 28° C. So, we did THE touristy things immediately: Walk around Sydney Opera, wander through the Botanical Gardens, explore The Rocks and climb on the pillar of the bridge (the one for AUD 15, not the rip-off for AUD 300!). Then jump on a harbor cruise and see the city from a different angle.

A leap for joy in Sydney

Interestingly, a rare meteorological phenomenon occurred: fog in the Sydney Harbour on a hot summer day. At least our tour guide explained that she’s never seen that in 12 years of duty. Let’s believe her – at least everybody enjoyed the fog as something special and not as a nuisance. Clever.

Unusal shot of the Opera House

In the evening we finished the day with a drink in Darling Harbour, before returning to our hotel near Oxford Street (known for the LGBT community).