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[Sydney, New South Wales Escapade with HTC EVO 3D] – Jet Boating and Helicopter Ride in Sydney City

This will be the last blog post for my Sydney escapade with HTC EVO 3D, hosted by Destination New South Wales. Eunice,Willy and I hung around Darling Harbour after our Sydney Opera House Open Day tour.

It was a Sunday morning and the waterfront was bustling with activities, ranging from roadshows to various buskers, performers and mascots plying the walkways.

Lively waterfront during the weekend

Sit back, relax, watch the world goes by

Ask God?

Answers?

Potted plants for everyone

Look! A baby dinosaur that coots and purrs

Giant insects

Willy and I were scheduled to try out jet boating with Sydney Jet. Eunice had opted out as she did not want to get wet. While the two of us were out at sea, Eunice and Duglass were sipping coffee leisurely by the waterfront.

Jet boating is one of the many activities available in a discount package if you purchase an iVenture See Sydney Attractions Pass.

Purchasing the pass will entitles you free admission to over 40 top Sydney attractions, tours and things to do at one discounted price – ideal for travelers with limited time. You can find out more on the official iVenture website.

During my NSF days, part of my daily duties involve sea boat patrolling in a little rubber dingy. Jet boating is much the same, but at a faster speed and getting wet more. The experience brought back nostalgic memories.

iVenture cards

The jet boat which Willy and I will be riding on

Me by the jet boat which reminds me of my NSF days in the Navy

Boarding the jet boat in red raincoats

A picture of Willy before setting off

Braving the cold wind blowing into my face and the icy cold seawater splashing on my exposed hands and head, I did a short video recording of my ride in the jet boat with my trusty HTC EVO 3D:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7QywyMyWzE”]

The jet boat picked up speed considerably once we were out of the harbour area and in the open sea. That’s where things got really wet and wild – I kept the HTC EVO 3D to avoid dropping it into the sea when the boat cuts a sharp turn. Hence the video recording stopped. Nonetheless, I managed to cautiously take a few photos with the phone:

Speeding off

Executing a sharp turn and getting everyone wet

The guide giving us an introduction of the surrounding areas

Souvenir book

After Willy and I got ourselves all wet, salty and awake from jet boating, we reassembled with Duglass and Eunice, heading off for my last fun activity before flying back to Singapore – a helicopter ride around Sydney central with Bondi Helicopters!

We arrived in a Mercedes sponsored by Hertz Car Rental to transfer to a helicopter. How’s that for traveling in style?

Bought some quick bites from McDonald’s

I ordered a Grand Angus beef burger

My last fun stop in Sydney, Heli Experiences

Driving a Mercedes to transit to a helicopter, that’s traveling in style

Our weight was recorded before boarding the helicopter for safety

The helicopter which we will be boarding

Me by the helicopter

The three of us with our pilot

Bondi Helicopters

Took a photo of myself before we flew off

Willy in front with our pilot

Here’s a 3D video recording I took with my HTC EVO, featuring a fantastic helicopter view of Sydney central:

[youtube url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e33euyzLBDQ”]

Seeing Sydney city from the sky makes me miss it even more as I was leaving Sydney in a few hours time. Sigh.

Never mind. I will return next time, with my wife and son in toil. 🙂

Up in the air

One of my favourite Sydney helicopter view shots

The open sea

I see Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Picture of myself, up in the air

Helicopter view of Sydney city

Flying over a stadium

Long coastline

Flying!

Random shot 1

Random shot 2

Random shot 3

Random shot 4

Random shot 5

Random shot 6

Safe landing, a wonderful experience

Alighting

A parting shot of our friendly pilot by the helicopter

After the exhilarating helicopter ride, Willy dropped Duglass, Eunice and I at the airport while he “selfishly” drove off on his own (he was headed to Wollongong again for sky diving).

Eunice and Willy had another two days in Sydney where they visited the Blue Mountains. I was headed back early as I did not want to be away from my new born son for too long.

“Selfish” Willy dropped Duglass, Eunice and I at the airport and then promptly drove off alone in the Mercedes

Bought a chicken wrap from this store for lunch at the airport

My last meal in Sydney

The flight back via Singapore Airlines was comfortable and uneventful. I was lucky to have a whole row of three seats to myself, with lots of extra room to doze. I slept through most of the flight, catching on much needed sleep after six days of excitement.

The two seats beside me were empty, so I had lots of room on the flight back

Light snacks

Ice cream!

The dinner was pretty good

This conclude my entire Sydney trip!

A final thank you to both HTC and Destination New South Wales for making this escapade possible for yours truly!

FYI: There’s a voting contest going on via the official HTC Escapade website. Vote for your favourite Sydney photos taken by me and stand a chance to win a HTC EVO 3D smart phone for yourself! Triple your chance by voting for a photo each from Willy, Eunice and I!

Useful Links:

HTC Escapade featuring Willy Foo, Eunice Khong and Alvinology

Day 1 – Quad Biking, Sandboarding and 4WD Ride

Day 2 – Horse Riding, Parasailing and Dolphin Watching

Day 2 – Crave Sydney International Food Festival, Fraser Suites, Sydney by Night