Jet lag is a weird phenomenon, it is not just feeling tired, nor is it a constant state. It is an extreme exhaustion which hits you in waves.

Having had a fairly sleepy, but not necessarily asleep, second leg of the journey we landed in Sydney at 9.20pm last night and after a smooth transition through the airport we got to our Air BnB apartment in Potts Point at about 10.30pm. It’s a cute little place in a trendy suburb, about 15 mins walk from the centre of Sydney. A quick trip to the supermarket to stock up on some essentials was followed by unpacking and by the time we had settled in it was gone midnight. By which time I was, of course, wide awake!

But show me a bed and some nice comfortable pillows and I can soon get to sleep. My problem is staying that way and by 5.30am I was wide awake again.

Thankfully Paul was too, so we were the first customers at the door when the coffee shop downstairs opened at 7.30pm. After a croissant and an orange juice (coffee for Paul) we were raring to go for a day of exploring. It was on the walk to the city centre that the first jet lag wave hit.

Powering through, we decided to get our bearings by heading to the observation deck of the Sydney Tower, the 305M building that is easily the tallest building in towers. On clear days it is said that you can see the Blue Mountains, over 80K’s to the west of the city. It wasn’t quite that clear today, the smoke from the bushfires lingering on the horizon, but it still afforded stunning views of the city.

Ambling through the CBD (Central Business District) we made our way through to Darling Harbour - a place full of cafe’s, restaurants and bars that I have spent many an evening in on past visits. I remember it as being a really beautiful place - and whilst it is still mightily impressive with the city skyscrapers looming over the water - somehow new building developments have taken the shine off it. Perhaps it is a case of distorted memory (or alcohol hazed memories!) but it wasn’t quite as magical a I remembered it.

It being the Friday before Christmas, Sydney is packed - particularly the bars and restaurants which started filling up from around 11.30am. It seemed that every office was finishing early and starting their Christmas parties. Of course back home office Christmas parties take place in cold, dark and damp nights (indeed my Instagram was abuzz with pictures of The Ticket Factory Christmas party which was taking place as we were pounding the streets of Sydney) - but it strikes me having a Christmas party in the height of summer, down on the harbour is a much better way of doing it.

After a spot of lunch we jumped on a local ferry to do the real touristy bit, sailing under Sydney Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House into Circular Quay. It really is a breathtaking experience. This was one that definitely did live up to previous memories.

A stroll past the famous Opera Bar (again more memories of past alcoholic adventures) to the Opera House itself. I have never explored the iconic building before (and we didn't go inside this time, either) but up close you really get to appreciate what a beautiful monstrosity it is. Opened in 1973, you can really see the influence of the Brutalist architectural style of the time - but despite that it truly is a wondrous building and I, of course, took far too many pictures.

With the temperature touching a very pleasant 25C (we seem to have avoided some of the record breaking temperatures being reported in this part of the world at the moment) we took a walk through the beautiful and peaceful Botanical Gardens as we meandered back to the apartment.

Having racked up 15,500 steps it is now time to succumb to the jet lag and have an afternoon nap before we head out to visit my gorgeous friend Angela Higgins this evening.... RH