The NOT-DOs in Sydney for tourists
Of all the tourist attractions in OZ, there are two one should avoid:
1) Thunderjet
Although they have ventures internationally to bring this novelty overseas e.g Singapore,what basically you are getting is a 30 min ferry ride to somehere in north seas and around the Sydney Opera House with in-between sudden brakes and high speed manouevers - you could opt for a "wet" or "dry" ride naturally - but when you opt for the "wet" run, you will get sudden jerkstops of the boat midway so that the high artificial waves roll across the boat leaving everyone wet and cold. The problem of this is just as you are getting giddy from the frequent turnaround manouevers of the ride, you suddenly get this awful splash of cold and salty seawater on your whole body - there's a risk of anything like mobilephone or watches being ruined by the seawater if you haven't surrender them before the ride- the raincoat they provide isn't sufficient to put yourself in a dry mode at all !
If you are really looking for a ferry ride, just take a ferry ride at the quay and enjoy the wind on your face instead of this expensive experience. There's nothing worse than cold polluted seawater from the harbour splashing on your face - believe me. Either your equipment will be destroyed by that acidic seawater or you will end up like a clown walking wet once the ordeal is over.
2)The whale watching cruise - avoid this at any cost if you can. There's nothing to see. Whales blowing air from their spouts can be seen but it is usually 150-200 miles away from the boat. The boatride takes 40 mins or so going out to the north seas. Many have complained of sea sickness while venturing this ordeal. So what if you do see only the humpback of the whales and their fins? Not as if they will come and greet you like the dolphins ! Yer might as well rest easy in front of a TV watching whale documentaries or go to the IMAX theatre to catch the sealife !
Alternatives:
If you are really keen for adventure and enjoy a seatrip, you could maybe look into going for a deep seafishing trip e.g. heading off from Cronulla although you have to be there by 5:30 am. But at least you could show off your souvenir trophy in a photo.
Otherwise you could try Hotair balloonflights and enjoy the spectacular aerial view of this vast land from the air ! Sure you could use Google Satellite view too, but the view is defintely not the same !
[Disclaimer: I am just voicing my personal comments here and do not represent any of the above companies in advertising or condemning their tour or services]
Posted by pui-chee
at 10:21 PM NZT
irritated