Sydney Shopping! (Days 4-7)

So we've now come to the end of our four-day stint in Sydney. Like I mentioned before, I love this city. I don't know what it is about it, but I've enjoyed my stay here just as much as I did previously.
Although we haven't done most of the touristy things this time (as we'd done them all before), we've spent the days relaxing and wandering the city. In particular the shops. Sydney is fantastic for shopping, especially if you're Naomi! :)
As well as dotting in and out of shops, we've had some time to wander the city properly. We've been down to the Opera House to see the QE2 and QM2 that were both in dock a few nights ago. We've gone to Parramatta (shopping, mind you, but at least it got us to see a different shopping mall!) We've also been out to Manly Beach for a meal with Leanne and her folks.
Its been really good being able to catch up with a friendly face while we've been here, and have seen Leanne most days since we've been here. Unfortunately, Phil hasn't been able to make it to visit us, as his work has kept him away from Sydney during our stay (although I hear he's coming back to the UK around the time we are, so Phil, if you're reading this, we definitely need to try and meet up for a pint when you're over!).
The meal at Manly Beach was at the fantastic Ribs & Rumps restaurant. Last time Naomi and I went there, I wasn't particularly impressed (its loud and with very little room between the crowded tables, and my food was fine, but wasn't the fantastic steak I'd been led to believe). This time, however, was a totally different experience. I had a 500g Lazy Sirloin Steak, which was just immense, and very enjoyable. It was still noisy and crowded, but the food and the service were brilliant, and we all had a great time.
We also met up with Leanne for a drink at the Star City Casino at Darling Harbour last night. The casino itself is pretty impressive (the doormen generously let Leanne in only wearing "thongs" - for those of you not initiated in Oz-speak, this is flip-flops, not what we refer to as thongs in the UK!). We drank a little, gambled even less (I never did see a Texas Hold'em table, although there was some Blackjack), but had a nice evening.

Anyway, tomorrow morning we fly to Auckland and start the trip down North Island to Wellington.