Exploring Sydney - day one

Sydney lives up to all the hype - it is a thriving, dynamic and cosmopolitan city but retains a charm and elegance that other cities have lost in their drive for progress. I think I may need to elaborate…
Taking a walk in Sydney is a dream, every street seems to have some hidden gem to view or admire while the people are friendly and welcoming. My route on day one takes me from the hostel to the Harbour Bridge (And what a magnificent feat of engineering it is) built in 1934 it remains a symbolic icon of the city to this day. There are lots of people using the bridge including pedestrians (many are joggers and I am left feeling a little unfit!!). The imposing monument to engineering has four great pylons supporting the weight of the spans, while the bridge itself is a marvel of intricate steelwork and brick. As you walk across you can’t help but be aware of the warning signs proclaiming DO NOT CLIMB and there is enough barbed wire to deter most. Huge Australian flags flutter in the breeze from the summit of the bridge and I watch as a group of tourists climb to the very central high point for what must be some of the best views in the city. Looking from the side of the bridge you get stunning views of the Opera House and it gives plenty of opportunity to view other perfect observation spots around the harbour - this was to be my next stop…
Traversing the bridge (make sure that you stay on the left otherwise you may halt the flow of runners passing on both sides!!) you come to the steps down into an opulent neighbourhood with small gardens, harbouring bays and excellent views (many seem to endorse the use of entry codes and cameras but I can‘t blame them). Walking in this quiet district you find all things in order, clean, tidy and overflowing with flowering plants filling the air with a pleasant fragrance. Apart from simply amazing views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge you also have little hidden gems, for example, dedicated waterfront gardens and churches (one of which, the ‘Church by the bridge’ really catches the eye with its small bell tower and I am fortunate to be welcomed in by the rector for a viewing to find a beautifully decorated interior and modern stain glass windows). It is definitely worth taking time out and going beyond the tourist areas.
Walking back around the harbour I find an Olympic swimming pool (practically in the shadow of the bridge!), a number of cafés and the Luna amusement park with its laughing face entry (enough to frighten most young children in my humble opinion). In order to get back across the harbour there are a number of options including bus $2, train $3 and ferry $5.30, I chose the ferry for convenience and the fact that it went to Darling Harbour.
Darling Harbour is one of the tourist centres (Honey pot sites) and it houses some of the largest attractions of the city - the Maritime Museum with pay to access submarine, destroyer and free galleries… The wildlife experience, the Aquarium and the IMAX cinema (with the largest screen in the world ;)). Also on the harbour are the obligatory restaurants and cafés dishing out almost anything that you could desire including local oysters $16… The most surprising exhibit however was the escaped Lego sculptures, which had settled into the entrance for the Aquarium (both the ones that I have taken photo’s of are very detailed and gleaned a lot of attention from visitors)…