Blogs from Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania - page 2

There are few skylines as iconic as that which greeted us through our plane window on the 17th of January. As the flight finally bumped its way out of thick cloud, that was actually the tail end of the cyclones that had wreaked havoc in Queensland, we glimpsed the majestic arch of the Harbour Bridge. Beyond it, caught in a single shaft of summer sun, sat the famous Opera House. Kasia, for whom Sydney had been home for a while 10 years ago, was beyond excited to be revisiting her old stomping ground and for me this view, so quintessentially Australian, brought home to me how far we had come since leaving the UK in November. We really were on the other side of the world. Hostel rooms, even the quietest, cleanest ones can be a ... read more

Well, our introduction to Sydney was a bit rough! An outstanding flight on Asiana again, but after collecting our bags, we did several laps around the baggage hall, while various people gave us conflicting directions to the "Express" exit. Car rental was great, and the GPS got us pretty simply to the Best Western in Lidcombe. It turned out to be, lets just say, a "diverse" neighbourhood where we had booked, and the apartment was 1 star at best. Next time we use our Wyndham points to book a "free" stay, we'll ask lots more questions, and hope that Google street view is updated. After one day and night, we emailed our travel agent Jason, who very quiclky suugested some great quality spots in downtown where we can see all that the great city has to ... read more

SUN 1ST AUG - Fly from SYDNEY to SINGAPORE (Stopover in Singapore 2 nights) Flight Departs Sydney 0805, arrives into Singapore 1430 (6hrs, 20 mins) Accommodation at Peninsular Excelsior Hotel Superior Room TUES 3RD AUG - Fly from SINGAPORE - DUBLIN via Munich, Manchester Flight Departs Singapore 2000, arrives in Manchester 0800. There may be stop in Munich for refuelling. This flight is 16 hrs, 15 mins. Arrive into Dublin 1150 on 4th August (flight from Manchester to Dublin 55 mins) WED 4TH AUG - DUBLIN (2 nights) Accommodation: Barnacles Temple Bar, Dublin Twin Private Ensuite Room FRI 6TH AUG - TRAMORE, WATERFORD (1 night) Pick up hire car in Dublin, drive to Tramore (Waterford County) 166kms (2hrs, 24mins). Accommodation: The Grand Hotel, Tramore Twin Ensuite Room SAT 7TH AUG - CORK (2 nights) Drive from ... read more

I was at home listening to my itunes which, was on ‘party shuffle.’ The washing machine had just finished and the pot on the stove started to rattle for the veggies were being steamed. As I walked to gather the iron to put it on the ironing board I heard Tools’ song Stinkfist. When I was a teenager this 90’s alternative metal song would be the precursor to an enthusiastic weights session that would eventually never develop to any rippled feature. Now whilst I put the iron on the board, turned the knob down on the stove I realised; ‘Shit I really should have done the washing earlier. These clothes are never going to dry in time. Why do I always do this?’ But as I opened yet another peg and put it on the line ... read more

Servus, Hatten grade mal wieder ein super leckeres Dinner von Farag, mit Reis gefüllte Paprika und seine typisch scharfe libanesische Sosse mit Bohnen. Das ganze fand wegen Regen heute auf dem Boden in seinem Zimmer statt. In seiner Kultur essen auch alle Männer aus einer Schüssel. Wir hatten natürlich jeder einen eigenen Teller. War ungwohnt auf dem Boden zu essen, aber haben verhältnismässig wenig gekleckert. ;) Jetzt aber erst mal zu unserem Wochenrückblick: Am Dienstag waren wir in einem Outlet (DFO) hier in der Nähe shoppen, sozusagen als Belohnung, weil ich meinen ersten essay heute in der Uni abgegeben hatte. Das Outlet war total gut! Markenklamotten super günstig und wir haben sogar einen shop mit Abercrombie und Hollister Kleidern gefunden. 'Frat House' American Style, Aussie Attitude. Total genial! Dort gabs nämlich Abercrombi und Hollister T-shirts für ... read more