Taking a break from my screen and the phone on the rooftop patio. It's downright bonza up here.

Since I’m still waking up about 5 hours before I need to be at work, I’ve had time in the mornings for a leisurely breakfast and posting some photos I took during my first weekend exploring Sydney. It’s a beautiful city, polished and modern but with the occasional bit of history tucked in the corners. I’m very impressed so far, and combined with the sunny climate it’s definitely a place I could spend a lot more time.

Saturday I walked around Darling Harbour, my neighborhood for the next two weeks, exploring the waterfront and marina in between afternoon naps. Sunday I caught a ferry to Circular Quay, on the east side of Sydney City proper, which took me under the Sydney Harbour Bridge (aka “the coat hangar”) and past the iconic Sydney Opera House. I walked down the plaza to get up close and personal with Australia’s most famous building, and then through the Royal Botanic Gardens and briefly into The Rocks, Sydney’s historic neighborhood. The light haze in the sky had cleared by my afternoon cruise home and I caught an even better water-side view of the Opera House, which is a stunning structure both up close and from across the harbour.

I’ll keep posting more photos in here, but what I’ve got so far is uploaded for your vicarious-living pleasure:

Click here for the gallery.

Monday I spent at work (obvs) which was great in its own right, as my mates in the office are a bonza crew, and set me up well for my visit. The office is in a building owned by Nokia with a sweeping view of the harbour from the top floor cafe, the walls of which are covered with Nokia promo posters and oversized mockup phones. The coffee there is excellent, and has been everywhere I’ve tried it – the Aussies definitely know good coffee.

Speaking of coffee, it’s 6:30 Tuesday morning here (I know, it’s so strange) and I need to work out, get dressed and head out into Pyrmont to find breakfast and coffee myself. So enjoy the pics!

With a splash of lime, just how you like it. It's waiting here at a shady table in Palm House at the Royal Botanic Gardens. You'd best join me before it melts.

Coming to you live from the eighth wonder of the modern world. It's huge, beautiful and… hot. :)

A shady table by the bay, coke in a glass bottle and a live steel guitar band. This is a Sunday afternoon i could get used to.