18/3/18 Big Smoke part 2

 Some more from Sydney , we were given a Red Balloon voucher for christmas , so decided to use it here - a helicopter flight over the city , harbour & eastern suburbs .
 The weather was looking overcast and dismal as we made our way down to Botany Bay for some lunch prior to the flight . We watched planes come and go and some blue sky appeared , not much though .
 Lunch done we headed back around to the heliport and waited for our flight to begin , only 4 of us at a time , I managed to get the front seat , and the other couple that were with us were there for a birthday present - she'd never been in a helicopter before and didn't want the front seat - worked for me !!
  Briefing done and life jackets attached , we headed out to the chopper and got organised - it was bloody hot - the sun had come out and was belting in on us through the perspex - we were never so happy to get moving so we could cool down a bit . Being at the airport , we headed north toward the city - this is a view that supports our dislike of cities !!

 Next we crossed over The Lakes Golf Course - this part should have been called The Beach .

 Next was The Australian Golf Course .

   Shortly after there was Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium with the harbour in the distance.

 Passing east of the city buildings we emerged out over the harbour .

  Views back toward the city , parliament house , the Domain and Botanic Gardens .

 The flight was then down the harbour over Middle Head then out to the entrance to the harbour then south along the coastline . Here's Bondi Beach .

 Waverley Cemetery is a very large one and has prime ocean views .

 This is Wylies Ocean Baths at Coogee - our pilot told us this was a womens only baths - not sure whether it still is or not ??

  This is Maroubra Beach .

   This is looking over Matraville to Botany Bay .

  And lastly back at the airport - north east to south west runway .

  And then it was over , we were back on the ground and getting tangled up in the traffic again , another reason to steer clear of cities , but having said that , the views of Sydney and the coastline have been great and we've had a great time .
  Our main reason for being in Sydney - we now have a grandaughter !! Mum , Dad & bub are all doing well , and we are over the moon .