SYDNEY!!!!!!!!!!

Where do i even start! This blog is going to be really enormous because it's the last five days of my trip - but i'll try and tone it down don't worry (haha). At least enjoy the pictures, if anything!

I took the train from Katoomba back to Sydney, and my hostel was a short walk from Central Station (I strategically planned it this way). Friends that i had met along the way had been to this hostel (called Wake Up) ahead of me, so i knew that it was going to be pretty good. It feels kind of like a hotel (big reception, seven floors) except of course for the bunk beds and the communal bathrooms/showers. It's very clean and always buzzing with people and activity. I like as well that (almost everything worth seeing) is pretty close here, or easy to get to. I'm a 45 minute walk from Circular Quay, the Opera House, and Harbour Bridge, and there's lots to see and do along the way. Darling Harbour, the Aquarium, etc, are about 15 minutes away. As soon as i figured out the map (i have a bad sense of direction, remember!) i was off and running!

I accidentally stumbled upon the Sydney Tower which turned out to be convenient because it was the first sight that i went to see. It wasn't as impressive as the KL Tower, and it was smaller and dirty with fingerprints all over the glass, but it was still a pretty fantastic view. They also had something called OZ Trek (i think, i'm doing this without reference!) where they put on a little show just telling you about Australia - you're in these moving seats so you're supposed to actually feel like you're traveling over the Outback and all that - it was interesting.

My fun for the first night there was actually meeting up with a friend i knew from back home (Sharina). I used to work with her at Callingwood, and she decided to take a year and travel and work, and now she's at a physio clinic in the southern part of Sydney. It was pretty tricky trying to figure out a place to meet, and when, but we finally did it! I was so excited to see her, and it was really great to catch up. It's weird seeing someone from back home in a foreign country! We went to a little Asian restaurant for dinner, and then out for a drink before she had to catch the train back home. Sharina was flying to Adelaide the next day - so our visit was quick! But definitely worth the time.

The next morning i got up before sunrise (i'm constantly doing that to myself on this trip!) and did the Harbour Bridge Climb. It was actually really fun! There were a few scary parts on the catwalk, and then again when you're climbing the steep ladders, but it was an incredible view of the harbour and the opera house and the Sydney Skyline. They put you in these stylish gray suits and you're given a radio and something to keep you clipped onto the bridge, and then you climb all the way to the middle arch and then down again. Along the way the guide points out interesting facts and tells stories about the sights. There was even a physio from South Africa on the same climb as me, so that was pretty cool. The whole thing takes about three hours, and then they give you a group picture and a certificate for doing the climb. I have other pictures, but you'll have to wait until i get home to see them!

After the climb I met up with Tony! Tony is a friend of Emily's who did an exchange in Canada, and very graciously offered to take me to a rugby game that night. He ended up picking me up earlier in the day and we went out for lunch with his friend George (who had just flown in from Brisbane that morning). We went to the Cruising Yacht Club, where you have to live outside of a 5km radius to be allowed in (you have to have ID to prove this!) or else you have to be a member. Very exclusive! :) The food was delicious and the company was as well. After lunch we went to the Sydney Harbour National Park for a couple of pictures and a look-see, and then i crashed on Tony's couch for two hours (George took the floor!) and then we headed over to another one of his friend's houses (Jess and Richard - awesome people!) and then to Aussie Stadium for the rugby game. It was New South Wales against Queensland, and i was with enough Queenslanders that i cheered for that team. I had found out before the game that these were the bottom feeders of the rugby union, but it was still entertaining!! We lost 26-13, but no matter - off to the pub to drink away our sorrows! Thanks again to Tony and his friends for an awesome afternoon! I really appreciate their hospitality and their willingness to show me around and give me info - i felt really welcome. Cheers mates!!! :)

The next day was another exploring Sydney day. I went to the markets down by the Rocks (this area near the Harbor Bridge) - they had lots of interesting things there. I did spend a little money, but it was on presents so it's ok. Don't worry - no cheesy Australian gifts! I then did a tour of the Opera House. It's a really fascinating building - i wish that i would have seen some kind of performance in there - would have been amazing. Then I walked around the Royal Botanical Gardens - extremely beautiful, it was a sunny day so there were lots of people just hanging out, or running, or whatever. Then i walked back to the hostel then over to Darling Harbour - a very busy place with all these shops and restaurants, the Sydney Entertainment complex, the IMAX theatre, the aquarium, and tons of other things. I had a little time and showed up at the right time, so i saw 300 on the IMAX screen. Pretty impressive!

Bondi and Manly beach were great visits too. Someone i talked to said that they thought those beaches were pretty hyped up, but that's because he's been to Thailand, and i agree, the beaches can't compare to there! But they were definitely great for an afternoon of sun bathing and people watching. Again, i've been so fortunate with the weather here - i'm definitely getting my fill of sun!

Emily will probably find this the most amusing, but i have to give a shout out to the lady from the camera shop in Airlie Beach who sold me the lithium batteries that have lasted me over THREE WEEKS in my camera. This is totally amazing. How come i never knew that you were supposed to use those batteries in your camera, and not those stupid double A batteries that last three hours?

So it feels weird that this is my last blog. But i'm definitely ready to come home! Tomorrow is literally going to be the longest day of my life (crossing the date line again!) and i'm not terribly thrilled about spending the night in Los Angeles, but it's all good! It's definitely been an adventure. I'll see everyone soon!

Love Lindsay :)

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