The Johnslingtons

Our first stop in Australia was Sydney, where we stayed for three nights in a historic neighborhood near the waterfront called The Rocks. After that, we traveled south to Wollongong, where we stayed two nights with Fiona’s dad’s friend Jill, her husband Graeme, and their kids Joseph (15) and Miriam (12).  

An Interview With Fiona About Our First 5 Days in Australia

What were your favorite things to do in Sydney?  

I liked the zoo [Taronga Zoo] and the beach [Manly Beach] and breakfast there was really good. All the animals at the zoo were so cool. My favorite were the giraffes, the zebras and the koalas. I was also the first one to see the echidna—it was in the corner in a dark spot, it was quiet and curled up, nestled inside. We took a ferry there.  

What interesting sights did you see in Sydney?

From the balcony [of our hotel] we could see the Harbor Bridge, we could see the Opera House. I like the way the roof went in diamond shapes all in front of each other. And I like the way the Harbor Bridge lights up at night—it’s really beautiful.

Was it similar to home or different?

Very, very different. We don’t have an Opera House or a Harbor Bridge.

What did you do in Wollongong?

Only just yesterday, me and Miriam and Jill and Graeme and my mom and dad went to a cool place [Bombo Headland] where we got to see smashed waves, super high waves that smashed over rocks. It was so cool—they almost got us! And after that, we went to a water hole [Kiama Blowhole]. Waves went up and splattered us. Each time it went up it made a rainbow on the rocks.