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Published: October 30th 2011
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The flight in was good. Technically I drank and watched movies for 2 days straight since I crossed the international dateline. Lets just say I think I did some good damage to their Bacardi stash.
My first day in Sydney was very interesting to say the least. First I found out that verizon wireless phones (at least mine) is not compatible with SIM cards. So I had to use the payphone to try and call contacts in Sydney. After several dollars I was finally able to determine where to meet and headed off to the train station.
The walk home from the station was a little tough considering it was like 80 degrees outside. I can't complain about the weather but it is a little tougher when you have to carry your suitcase up and down stairs in that heat.
After washing up and settling down at a friend's (Ras's) place in Darling Harbor, Sydney I headed out to take the ferry around the Harbor while Ras headed off to work.
I took the ferry and saw the Harbor Bridge, Luna Amusement park, and the Sydney Opera House.
The Harbor and the Opera House were gorgeous.
On the Harbor
Darling Harbor and the Naval Museum. And I couldn't have asked for better weather. With the sun beating down and clear skies I also took a stroll around the Botanical Gardens, saw the Cathedral and walked through the CBD (central business district, "downtown") to get back home.
The most interesting part of my day was not all the sites, but actually trying to get a SIM card. Ras had an extra phone that he let me borrow and I figured I would pick up a SIM card while I was out and after I was done touring Sydney I'd give him a call with the new SIM so we'd be able to meet back up.
Of course I was not aware that after you purchase a SIM card you have to activate it (ok I suppose this is sort of given). But to activate the SIM card you need either a drivers license for the country or your passport number. And I most definitely did not have my passport with me.
So throughout the day as I was touring Sydney every time I saw a payphone I would try to call Ras to set up a meeting point. Needless to say, I think I have
donated a good amount of money to the Australian public payphones before I was really able to get in touch with Ras.
After some good walking, which I am all too used to after my trip to Washington DC last week I came back to the house to relax and watch some cricket. I did pass out for a good 2 hours unintentionally after which when I woke up, Ras and all were all set waiting for me to go out.
To end the day we hit up a bar had some brews played some pool, and then found a 24 hour place to grab food called "Pancakes on the Rocks" which was not too bad.
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Atul
non-member comment
Idiot
a. how did you not know that verizon doesn't use SIM cards? Everyone and their mother knows that. tsk tsk. b. don't use abbreviations that you haven't clarified yet! (ie CBD) c. it was snowing in philly last night in GOD DAMN october. take me home to cali. d. peas. have fun travelling.