Sydney (gonna be a bit long) :)

After Brisbane, Cairns and Surfers Paradise, Sydney is a truly metropolitan city. It feels a lot like London, just better weather.:) The wealth that you see is quite impressive, apparently the recession didn’t hit Australia. I read about it before but I still cannot get to terms with what I am seeing. Huge constructions are springing up in all parts of the country that I’ve visited so far, people seem to be dining out even more then the Spanish do.

Now for the 4 y poco days that we’ve spent here:

Apart from a couple of landmarks (Opera House, doing the Skywalk in the „TV-tower”, ANZAC war memorial, Sydney Aquarium) we met quite a number of friends and a family member. First up on Friday was the Australian division of the Sai Halasz family (Pali and Hanna) who showed us around the eastern suburbs including the Watsons Bay and Rose Bay. It was all very impressive. Just a small drive from the city centre its where some of the poshest suburbs are located. Beaches, beautiful views, parks, nice bars, restaurants etc. Could be hoarding adjectives for pages...

Then we met Zó and his lovely girlfriend-wife-to-be Regine. Zó emigrated in 1969 and then made it big as a professor (and consultant) in accounting. The guy really is larger than life (http://datasearch.uts.edu.au/business/staff/details.cfm?StaffId=53 in his sixties), with loads of stories and small jokes: „Sorry guys I came with the small car, so one of you might have to sit a bit uncomfortably in the back.” We were already guessing what could this „small” car be. Of course it was a black Porsche Carrera. Any guesses for the big car?:)

We also went to one of his MBA lectures on Saturday, which was really good. Afterwards we went with the ferry to Manly, a northern suburb. Also a really nice place, with some really posh bars, where women wear glittery dresses during the day as well. I guess they are looking for husbands.:)

Sunday we met János Beretvás. Now he may not sound anything special but he is the brother of my grandma who emigrated in 1951 and whom we haven’t yet seen in our lives. He has been suffering from cancer for more then 10 years and is called the miracle-boy back in Sydney. As he says, he was supposed to „go to the morgue” a couple of months ago as he fell into a coma after his heart slowed down. It turns out that it only „recharged”.:) (I know this sounds as very morbid but these are his words) Its the upteenth time he has come back from the brink, so I guess our future wives will have a tough time ahead. We are stubborn buggers.:) We had a big lunch (kaszinó tojás, rántott hús stb.), prepared by his wife Margo, to whom I have to convey a „big respect” for taking care (and putting up with) him.

Afternoon we spent walking down from Bondi Beach and then chilling at Bronthe Beach. The former is the more well known, but the two beaches further down south are much cosier. All in all Sydney was beautiful (maybe even better situated then Budapest)☺ and the only reason why it doesn’t win outright in terms of where to live is because it is so freakin’ far away from everything. Otherwise even the working hours are cool. Not even accountants or consultants work overtime.:) (or at least not to the extent as back in Europe)

Off to Singapore now, to upload the pics (bro left the cable there) and to meet our parents. Y luego Vietnam...