Sydney: The Rocks Market and Taronga Zoo

Heading to the Rocks

We are out of the house by 8:10am. My thighs are a bit sore but with my foot blister wrapped up and my Hokas on, I am doing fine. We walk to  Rose Bay and take the ferry to Circular Quay. Such a pretty ride.

We walk around the area around Circular Quay as we head towards the Rocks. Of course we take more pictures of the bridge and area.

The Rocks Market

It’s Saturday and we stop for breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. John loves pancakes. I have seafood crepes.

And then it’s off the the Rocks Market which is  held Friday to Sunday. Located near Circular Quay, the market is all true artisans not the usual cheap and tacky flea market stuff. I am

immediately excited and inform John that I am shopping and to meet me at the market Christmas tree in an hour.

I go into an independently owned (husband and wife) essential oil shop. The husband is the nose and explains and takes me through different options. They are both so proud of their beautiful, quality products. I decide to buy more than I should. Good thing I have ditched John. 

I look at my phone and realize that almost half my time has elapsed by the time I reach the desk to pay. What ensues is like the scene in “Love Actually” when Alan Rickman is trying to make a quick purchase from Mr Bean who goes through all kinds of intricate and time consuming wrapping steps.

I also make purchases at other stands, a few gifts and stuff for me including a beautiful cockatoo print directly from the artist.

Fully satisfied, I meet John who spent his time walking around and taking pictures of the adorable lorikeets.

Taronga Zoo

The day has turned overcast which is good because it was getting too warm. We catch another ferry and head to Taronga Zoo.

I get a kick out of watching the chimps. Click here for a short video.

The zoo also has a great full flight bird  show with Sydney Harbour in the background. I laugh at the ibises trying to steal food at the restaurant and I love the little blue fairy penguins. John’s favourite is the short beaked echidna .We don’t get to see everything but we had a really good day.

It starts to rain as we leave the zoo and catch the ferry back to Circular Quay. We catch the train to Bondi Junction where we grab a bite before heading back to our Airbnb.

I’m pooped. We walked 20,000 steps (almost 13 km).