Everyday I'm Schmetterling
Trip Start
Mar 19, 2012
1
21
26
Trip End
Jul 27, 2012
Where I stayed
What I did
Opera House and more opera house
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Monday, July 9, 2012
In the morning made my way up George street being a lot more awake this time around and getting my bearings of the city. Made my way down to Circular Quay where the harbour bridge and opera house are. Walked around CQ and towards the opera house to get a closer look, was a nice sunny day so it had a nice little sparkle to it. Went inside to have a look around and its very dark inside. Reminded me of the Luxor in Vegas and how dark it was inside there. Then walked part way around the botanical gardens which is next to the Opera House. In the evening met up with Toby LeRone who I worked with back in the UK, and he recently moved to Sydney. We had a bite to eat before seeing the fireworks on darling harbor. Any reason for the fireworks – no just coz the Sydney locals wanted to do them. Then met up with Toby’s friends before heading to Maloney’s and later 3 Wise Monkeys for some partying.
After not a lot of sleep I made my way with one of my roommate’s too Manly Beach. Took a ferry across the harbour, to the beach, was a bit chilly and I stupidly only had a t-shirt on. Met up with roommates friend for a drink before we parted ways and I had a walk along the beach and then made my way to Shelly beach for a look around there. Both beaches were nice enough but I’ve seen so many beaches they have started to roll into one. I headed back as I was getting cold and spent the rest of the day doing some housekeeping.
Monday started off by going on a walking tour; got a history lesson on the convicts and on buildings, saw some hidden statues and saw where neo from the matrix films saw his lady in red. Once at the opera house I left the group and made my way to the bot gardens again taking pics of the opera house as the sun set. I walked around the rest of the bot gardens walking towards kings cross area. My eyes got blinded by the flashing lights every other shop before I went into the British sweet shop and had some dairy milk, ohh dairy milk how I have missed you. Made my way back to the hostel for a bbq before heading out with my roommate and Toby for some drinks and to China Town for food.
Early start next day as headed out to the Blue Mountains, was a great view but again as with the beaches all the mountains are merging into one. Would have appreciated more if I had not seen so many. Saw some waterfalls which were nice and did a long hike around the forest which was fun as hadn’t done one for a while. There were some great photo ops within the forest. After lunch went to some of the small towns in the area and saw the mountains from different viewpoints. Then headed to a wildlife park, and saw me old mates the Koala and Kangaroo. Loads of birds here so was making sure I ducked as much as possible. They fed the Tazzy Devils and you could hear the crunching of the bone on the chicken leg it was eating. Then had a drive around the Olympic park before taking a night cruise towards darling harbour. Was great seeing the city lit up on one side and on the other the final lingering sunlight. Had a wonder around darling harbour which I preferred to circular quay as it seemed a more relaxed atmosphere and more stuff to do there for the average Joe.
An even earlier start next day as was doing a day trip to Canberra. I heard a lot of jive about Canberra but I wasn’t coming all this way not to see the capital city. First stop was a view of the city over from a mountain, which was very spectacular. Then headed to the War memorial which was has been brilliantly setup probably the best war museum I had seen. Vietnam and Korean wars where very well done in particular. Had to rush about because of timetable so could have spent more time there. Went to an art gallery next; yawn, next. Parliament was next, had a wonder around and saw portraits of all the Oz prime ministers as well as the senate. Senate was smaller than I thought it would be, but then at least decisions would be made quicker. Not so much from what I have read in Oz papers. Then had a drive around the various embassies and headed back to Sydney, watching a new Paul Hogan film; damn Crocodile Dundee is old. Glad I went just for the war museum, so would say go to Canberra for a day at least, more than that I suggest you may get bored. Watched state of origin in the evening. Poor NSW, lost 7 years in a row.
Next day made my way to Surrey Hills area to have a look around, found a café for brunch on farveaux street (spelling prob wrong). Then made my way to the Sydney Cricket Ground and the tour of the ground was $30, ha not so much, the WACA was only $10, so just had a look from the outside. There was an entertainment complex which I had a wonder around of before I headed back to George street and Darling Harbour. First time I had seen during the day and had some cake at the helm bar before going into the main mall. Same as any mall. Then went to Paddy’s market and every 1/3rd stall was basically the same. Wanted to buy Goldjigga a Liverpool shirt but it had Torres on the back, $25. Stall owner said I should buy because players move all the time. Yeah that’s the one. In the evening went to a comedy club with Toby and the show was untested comedians with one pro. Got to say most of them sucked. One went on and on about how Phuket sounds like Fuck it. I didn’t laugh so he kept repeating; yeah I get it’s not funny. Pro was decent enough; expected better as I have met some funny Aussies but these guys countered acted them. I laughed more at them than with them.
Next day met up with Stephanie (who I met in Montreal) and her boyfriend Patrick. They were kindly going to show me around. This is a good point to mention it, I have been introduced to Tim Tams in Cairns and told how Aussies love the Tim Tams. Tim Tams are the equivalent of Penguin chocolate bar. So gonna have a Tim Tim Double Double with Tim Tams (don’t worry if the last few sentences make no sense, only about 4 people will understand it). I digress, we did a drive to the town of Kiama. First we went to the famous Kiama blow hole. The formation of the rocks, the type of rocks and water pressures means that every 30 seconds or so there is an explosion of water from a hole in the rocks. It has science behind it so that makes it Awesome. Then had some lunch before having a walk around town. Went to a secluded beach which was nice to have to ourselves. The coastline was pretty damn amazing as well. Made our way back to the city and had a wonder around darling harbour and a drink in York street, before Toby joined us and we made our way to a Japanese restaurant. Steph tried to set fire to the place but was thankfully unsuccessful. We parted ways with Steph and Patrick and headed to Cargo Bar in darling harbour to meet the party gang. Great location and the bar was set up really well so you could have a dance and also an audible chat, which ever took your fancy. Another late one. A special thank you to Stephanie and Patrick for taking time out to drive me around and get me dinner, was great to catch up and hear about adventures after Montreal.
No rest for the wicked and made my way down to Bondi, a lot of people said it was not as good as the hype, but thought it wasn’t too bad. I did the coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee beach, with several beaches in between. Walk took about 1hr 40mins one way, was a bit sore on the hammies and glutes. They got even sorer on the way back, thought the coast line looked more spectacular at Kiama in my humble opinion. In the evening met up with Toby and the gang to go on the Oz party bus. Before we got going the German guy said when trying to get my name right, “Its ok I’m German, I’m allowed to be racist”. Ha, new highlight of my trip. The bus was crammed, got some space at the back to dance and smash the roof though. Went to 5 bars most of which where the backpacker bars which we had been too before. Last bar was the best and Toby was asked to leave, ha ha you rebel. Was a good night.
Sunday and a walk across the harbour bridge had to be done, wasn’t as long as I thought it would be, but got some great views of the city. Walked around Luna park before sitting on a sun drenched bench. Made my way back to a lookout point and a chocolate café; yummy. Then watched the sun set and stars appear over the opera house. Did a walking tour of the rocks area and heard some more stories and saw hidden bits not on the map. Had a walk around circular quay and darling harbour before meeting up with Toby for a final drink. A special thanks to Toby LeRone for showing me around Sydney and all the partying. Clapping North Korean style.
Had half day and having seen everything, finished off my book The Day Before Sunrise. Was a dramatisation of a true story of one of Himmler's direct commanders defecting to the allies and how he escaped. Was again a good read.
Tried not to put loads of details into blog as spent 11 days in Sydney. Was nice easy paced days spent in the city.
