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Published: November 23rd 2005
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- FOOD: Kelly's chilli dinner for me - so nice to have good home cooking; nice Oz wine; Sunday roast in a local pub - ahhhh.
- PEOPLE: Reunion with Ruth and Kelly of Brazil fame and Tom of UK fame; strict bouncers who ID lots; snap happy tourists at the Opera House.
- AREA: Hostel like a mini apartment; R&K's gorgeous Darlinghurst flat with views of the CBD; a big night out in King's Cross, Newtown and Darlinghurst; excellent shops; Pylon Lookout on the Harbour Bridge; pretty Botanical Gardens; Manly Beach (in the cold wind); Opera House at sunset.
- WEATHER: More grey, cold, miserable weather - what?! But then a spell of hot sun before a cold wind and more rain. And then more sun...
Sat 27th Aug: Arrived in Sydney very early in the morning in the grey, cold, miserable weather. What is going on here? I know it's only just the beginning of spring here but I thought Australia was sunny all year round (or that's the impression the Oz population in the UK like to give).
So I went with the only person up at that time plugging his hostel
(which was a bit dingy but ok) and slept all day. The 6 bed dorm only had one other person in it - a shy Japanese girl, and it's own kitchen and bathroom so was like a mini apartment. Then I went out to discover what the capital of New South Wales has to offer. Many think it's also the capital of Australia and I can see why - I'm sure everyone comes for a visit here but I can't imagine many stop off at Canberra.
I got in touch with Ruth and Kelly of Rio and Salvador fame as they are living here for a few months to top up their funds and they invited me to dinner at their flat, which is only a 5 min walk from my hostel in Darlinghurst. They're on the 16th floor of a posh apartment block (I had to double take the number as I was sure they couldn't be living somewhere as posh as this!) and the flat is gorgeous. 3 walls of their lounge have floor to ceiling windows and a balcony all around the edge overlooking practically the whole of Sydney. You can even see the Harbour bridge
and the Opera House just about.
It was so good to see them again and we caught up over a fantastic chili and some Aus wine. We then trekked to Kings Cross (and yes, it is almost exactly like London's King's Cross - the red light area with junkies, strippers, homeless and of course lots of bars) where we had some drink before going onto Newtown.
Our time in Newtown was very short as the first place ID'd us. ID!!!!! Mia would've got in - the only one amongst us with ID at the age of 21 but us being 29 and 30 couldn't get in! I found out throughout my time here that they ID anyone who looks under 25 so I suppose it's a compliment to be continually turned away but boy, they're strict.
The second bar was just closing as we arrived so we found somewhere for a quick shot and then went all the way back to Oxford Street (only a few mins from their flat and not like London's version) where we spent the rest of the night in and out of various bars.
Sun 28th: The poor Japanese girl looked terrified
when I strolled back in at about 9am and proceeded to talk away at her (her English is not the best anyway and I'm quite sure after being out all night I wasn't making much sense even to the most fluent English speaker). I slept til about 5pm and then made my way back to Ruth and Kelly's where we had the perfect hangover cure in their local - a SUNDAY ROAST (god it was good) and another pint.
We ended up back at the Columbian but I pulled out early (1am) to go back to bed.
Mon 29th: I was glad to actually get up at a relatively early hour to actually see some of Sydney by DAY! Walked around the excellent range of shops, resisted temptation to spend ALL my money and then went to the Harbour Bridge. When it was built in 1932, it was the largest arch bridge in the world and many died in the process of building it as they just climbed up it without ropes, helmets etc.
I walked up and down it slowly, taking in the beautiful harbour which was sparkling away in the sun that had appeared at last.
I couldn't afford the climb up it so made do with going up the Pylon Lookout. I watched the people walking up the edge - it looked fun but I was expecting more of a climb rather than just walking up stairs, attached to the side with a rope. I'm sure it's scarier than it looks though and I've heard they breathalise anyone who looks like they had a heavy night as it's best to be very balanced!
I ventured to the Botanical Gardens which are really pretty and HUGE and then caught the ferry to Manly (which got it's name from when Captain Cook saw the Aboriginals who lived there and said they were very 'manly').
Unluckily for me, the sun had gone in and the freezing wind had started up so it wasn't a pleasant affair sat on the beach! I attempted to walk the stretch of lovely beach in this nice little town and was even tempted by an ice cream as they looked so good until I heard someone say "Ice cream? In THIS weather?!" and came to my senses and went to sit in a bar instead overlooking the beach.
I caught the ferry
back at sunset - unintentional but the Opera House looked stunning with the sun setting behind it. Everyone else on the ferry thought so too so it was very funny to see everyone suddenly jump up as it came into view and snap away!
We'd all really wanted to go and see a show at the Opera House but they were all either sold out or too expensive so I was gutted not to have the opportunity. Oh well, guess what we did instead? Yep, back to the local for more drink. Tom managed to drag himself away from the Ukranians to meet me in the pub - it was really nice to see a friend from back home again and catch up.
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