A letter from my company instructed me, on very short notice, to take a week’s annual leave. So, I decided to take advantage of my cousin, who is studying at the University of Sydney in Australia, for free accommodation.

My cousin was mostly busy with her studies, but I enjoyed travelling alone (and getting pleasantly lost) without friends and family. Armed with my new camera, I had fun pretending to be a professional photographer.

I saw many things. But it wasn’t so much the buildings I was interested in, it was the people.

The Sydney skyline at night, taken from atop the bridge.

The iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

A huge cruise ship docked at the harbour while I was there.

Sydney-siders enjoy their beaches.

A street performer trying to get into a tiny box. She made it in the end!

A large group of protesters converged outside the Sydney Opera House to demonstrate against global warming.