Day 2: Bling Bling Dumpling

As eventful as our arrival in Sydney was, I'm not sure it can even compare with the ridiculousness of day two.

After finally getting some rest, we all woke up ready to go, which was great considering we went directly to the Harbor Bridge and walked up, down, and across it. Twice. The bridge is really a testament to the ability of engineers and builders, creating magnificent works of art like the bridge without the aid of computer programs like AutoCAD and Revit today. The bridge's pylons provided us a spectacular view of Sydney from above the harbor, after the 200 step climb, that is. Upon reaching the end I the bridge we promptly walked directly back across, as our next destination, Museum of Sydney, was on the side we came from.

All of us on top of the bridge, Opera House in background

The museum of Sydney, while certainly educational, lacked some of the glamour of being hundreds of feet above one of the world's most beautiful harbors glaring out into the skyline of gorgeous downtown Sydney. We did learn a lot about Captain James Cook and surfing, though.

Downtown Sydney from the bridge

Now that our coursework was out of the way (tough class, right?) we let the fun begin with a delicious lunch at Pancakes on the Rocks near the arbor. My seafood crepe, filled with scallops, prawn, and fish was exquisitely complimented with a glass of the house white wine, which in America could probably rival the top wines at comparable restaurants. Wine here is amazing. And more importantly, cheap (since apparently nothing else is, evidenced by the $17 dollars I spent on two tiny bottles of shampoo and face soap). After lunch we headed back to get some work done before it was time to eat again.

Andrew's new Crocodile Dundee hat

Dinner provided the real entertainment of the night. While checking out the area around our campus, we somehow stumbled into what is most accurately described as Australian Chinatown. All of us being very open to different cuisines we decided we would find a place to eat. Then we saw it: "Bling Bling Dumpling." Apart from the obviously attractive name, we were lured in by the giant board in front declaring "any meal $8 + free Coke." We were in.

Entering the restaurant only supplied us with more surprises, such as disco ball decorations and stuffed Angry Bird seat holders. After some coaxing, our waitress convinced most of the group to order their specialty dumplings. I stuck with the garlic chive fried egg with rice. Probably for the best.

I can only hope the rest of our restaurant experiences live up to the high bar set by Bling Bling Dumpling. Maybe not so much the food as the atmosphere.

Tomorrow we are headed to Olympic park and out on the harbor!

Cheers, mates!