2) Ask them if you can do harbour orbits and victor 1 (the coastal scenic route). Unlike the UK, it's quite possible to fly over the harbour, right next to the airport at 1500ft, then track down the coast - it's a fantastic trip (have done it). And I'm not bagging the uk, I'm only itenerant here.
Actually, when i flew the V1 (5/6 months ago) it was below 500ft. It was great, deifnetly worth it.