Trip to Sydney
Trip Start
Jul 13, 2006
1
10
17
Trip End
Nov 20, 2006
Sydney,
Australia
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, we arrived after a 3.5 hour bus ride from Canberra. We walked around for ages because, even though we had someone from Sydney with us, he had no idea where our hostel was. When we did arrive at City Backpackers hostel, we soon realized that we had made a terrible choice. It looked like a warehouse, and they had one of those old school elevators with the big heavy door (it was painted bright red as well, which made it feel like the Shining or something). When we got to our room (there were 7 of us), there were only sheets/no blankets, and foam acting as mattresses on bunkbeds held up by wooden planks. Needless to say, we felt robbed. There was also a half eaten sandwich under one of the chairs. Gross. So, that aside, we walked to find some dinner at Mamma's Italian restaurant where we had tasty pasta and gelato (if you've never had gelato, please go get it right now; I reccommend pistachio)
01view
. Then, we walked to Darling Harbour and bummed around a playground and all of the pretty fountains (see photos). It was sort of hard once we tried to go to sleep cause the common area was right outside our door at the hostel. We had people smoking, drinking, and playing music until around 3am, so that wasn't too fun. Saturday, we started the day with tasty treats from a bakery near our hostel. It was a beautiful day, so we walked to the Circular Quay where we saw the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Then, we got on a tour bus that took us to the Botanical Gardens where we saw fruit bats, and a lot of breathtaking scenery. I honestly could've stayed there all day, but we had lots to see. Then, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe, Sydney, and payed WAY TOO MUCH for a burger and fries (chips, AUS). If you want to go to Hard Rock, just take a picture, believe me. We then hopped on the bus again and went to see Wooloomooloo where the Navy ships are as well as Kings Cross where the porn stores are. It sounds bad, but it was actually an interesting strip. It's technically the redlight district, but it seemed to me more like a hipster-bohemian type place. I probably wouldn't want to be there at night though. For the rest of the day we just walked around, some people took the monorail, and at night Mike, Catherine, and I went to Hyde Park where there are pretty lights and fountains and such
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. It was nice to just explore the city and get a feel for where things were. Next time, I will try to budget a bit better, and know for sure where I want to go. I was a little upset we didn't see any art museums, but I'm sure I'll get to go by myself at some point, or with someone who would also like to see some art. At night, we just hung out in the hostel together until we got sleepy, and some other hostel stayers demanded we give them back their radio. :)We tried to keep the noise level down a bit. Sunday was zoo day. We woke up to a man coming in our room to empty the garbage (bin, AUS). I just heard something, turned in my fake-foam bed and was staring some old man in the face. The thing was, he didn't even say hello! He didn't even knock when he came in the room, he just walked in with all of us in there...I really am not staying there next time. Anyway, after grabbing some breakfast, we took the ferry from Circular Quay to the Toronga Zoo. It was neat, we had to take a sort of ski lift thing from the ground to the top of the zoo, which was situated on a hill. It was another beautiful day, and we got to see a lot of native Australian animals along with a Komodo dragon, and a red panda. It was really fun. We also got a free sushi lunch brought to us by Anthony, our Sydney resident. His parents own like 3 restaurants or something, so that was nice of him. After the zoo, we ate at Hungry Jacks (Burger King, US)...it was actually really gross, but then we got on the bus back to Canberra.
All in all, I had a good trip. I got sick with a head cold while there, which wasn't fun, but hopefully it will leave me soon. Sydney is a really nice city, and I definitely will go back while I'm here. Enjoy the pictures!
Comments
Woo!
First to post a comment, hey alright.
Hi Seana!
Firstly-- DUDE YOU SAW A RED PANDA?! Those things are AMAZING! They look like something out of Pokemon. Seriously. Effin cute. I am so jealous. http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2006/07/nhead_butt_pas.html Here is a video of them.
Secondly-- That was a sun bear, if anybody wants to know, and they go like 'Bll. Bll. Bllllllll.'
Thirdly-- Your friend, DAHvid, or whatever, is very cute. Good for him.
Fourthly-- Your blog has solidified my need for a digital camera. *sigh*
Plastic tubing,
Angela
Nice
seems like a fun old trip to Sydney.... How expensive is everything over there? Are some things over priced and others alright, or is everything expensive? Keep up the blogging......Have fun- Brendan
Hi!
The hostel sounds pretty bad, but at least it wasn't like that one movie, you know, Hostel. I hope your head cold goes away and you can continue to enjoy the pandas and dragons... lucky.
How Cool
I'm so jealous that you got to go to an Australian zoo. It sounds like you're really doing great. I love hearing about you're adventures. Hope you get to go somewhere 'arty' on your next trip.
Love, Lill
Hey Cuz!
Been reading your blog entries... sounds like you're having quite a time! Been trying to keep your mom sane... so far so good :). Don't miss us too much... we'll still be here when you get back, so enjoy it while you can. I'll let you know how Rita's wedding goes.
Things are going good with me and Nathan. We're finally officially unpacked. I actually picked myself up an iguana too, so I've been having fun playing with him. Nathan says hi, too.
Keep having fun, and I'll keep trying to keep up with all your entries :).
-Sar
hey you
I could have told you... if you stay in a hostel ... bring your own pillow and blanket.
makes for a good story though later... right?
sounds like you had fun in sydney... If only i were in autralia, i would go to the art museums with you.
and one more thing. i watched a special last night on shark week about how to survive a shark attach. here's what you do... punch em in the nose or gills. works every time... almost.