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Published: November 29th 2008
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Jet-lagged and hungover beyond belief after all the boozing in Hong Kong and then a long (either 9 or 11 hours, I can't remember) overnight flight, the Australian adventure began with views of sun and bright blue sea as our turbulent Cathay Pacific flight finally landed in Sydney. After dumping the luggage and settling into the hostel, located smack bang in the CBD next to Central Station, I managed a few schooners (like a pint but only 425ml!) in Scubar before clambering into my top bunk for some much-needed sleep.
The next day the sun was shining, that holiday feeling kicked in and, like any respectable tourists new to Sydney, a few of us decided to mosey on over to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, seeing as it was 'just down the road'- a phrase which when translated from Aussie to English means at least a 45 minute walk- down the famous George Street, which is second maybe only to London's Oxford Street in how ridiculously busy it can be. I found myself, for some bizarre reason, manning the map and leading the way and before long we strolled past the Drum-n-Bass-Aboriginal-Didgeridoo-busker-man before taking photos of Sydney's
two most famous icons from many different angles. Classic quotes I remember include Mandy's 'it's not as big as I thought it'd be' (about Harbour Bridge).
Over the next week and a half or so, while some of the BUNAC group seemed way too worried about serious stuff like getting a job, finding somewhere more permanent to stay and settling in Sydney for far longer than I would deem necessary, I fell unashamedly into Sydney's tourist trap. I went up Sydney Tower on a sunny day for stunning views of the city and the harbour. I ambled along Harbour Bridge and visited the Opera House again, but this time at twilight hours. I got soaked on a jet boat ride around the harbour. I felt the urge to get out of the overcrowded CBD, so spent 3 days in the Hunter Valley (where I later return for my first Aussie job- more details to come later!) 'tasting' wine and beer, and lounging by the hostel pool drinking port and eating grapes. I walked the Eastern Beaches clifftop trail from Bondi beach to Coogee beach. I recruited a couple of the girls and we got the ferry over to
Manly beach despite the odd outbursts of torrential rain that day. I went for lunch in the quirky, quaint, suburban Glebe then walked around Sydney's famous fish markets in nearby Pyrmont.
Another way to drain your newly-opened Australian bank account fairly quickly in the biggest city in the country is to go out and get wankered five out of the first seven nights. Being bought schooners by a German guy in a bar called Scary Canary because he's trying to chat up a girl you know is a cheap way to drink, but getting shit-faced until the wee small hours with the BUNAC guys in Scruffy Murphy's isn't, but it is a good laugh, as is getting hammered and chatting to wierd girls in Sidebar despite Scottish Chris' reluctance to be my wingman. Next came the recruiting of Mr Karl Burbidge himself along with his Aussie housemate stoner Dave (AKA The Driver), for a night out in King's Cross, Sydney's home of sleaze, which involved $3 happy hour drinks, being propositioned by yet more prostitutes and a seedy strip joint where it seems you can haggle for half-price entry and simply wait until other guys pay for $20
Opera House by Night
I wish night mode on my camera was a bit better... for thirty-something Aussie women to 'get their rat out!'
Left shattered from 2 weeks hostel-hopping and sight-seeing in the busy city I decide to leave, taking a job in the peaceful Hunter Valley YHA (backpacker lodge) in wine country, but not before first visiting Karlos at his pad in Gosford, on the Central Coast of New South Wales, about an hour north of Sydney. Despite leaving I'm sure I'll end up going back to Sydney fairly soon, to see a few sights that remain unseen and also maybe to spend Christmas and New Year on the beach. After almost two weeks in Sydney I'd enjoyed my introduction to Australia and would definitely recommend it as a place to visit, but only for the gorgeous beaches like Bondi, Coogee and Manly- not for the over-busy, backpacker-infested CBD area where you'll be lucky to actually meet many real Aussies.
As always, see facebook for more photos- I can't be arsed uploading all of them on here!
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