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Eleven hours in a car for an 8 hour trip with three (3) friends and 1 driver. We rented a Silver Ford Falcon for 3 days. We had 5 mixtapes (CDs) to keep us going on such a long ride. Honestly, I slept for a good chunk of the time, but when I was awake, the backseat driver in me came out...so I think I'll need to keep myself distracted when someone else is driving for a long period next time (especially when its not my parents).
Nevertheless, we arrived at the Sydney Central YHA Hostel. It's a "5-star hostel," so it's almost as good as a hotel, sans room service. There was a sauna and cinema in the hostel, as well as ScuBar - "Sydney's bar 'down under'" (literally). We got a room with four (4) beds to ourselves and crashed upon our 2AM arrival Saturday morning. Our Saturday morning start turned into a search for day parking, then a look for brunch (1PM).
We ended up by North Shore, where the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House are, so the food was quite expensive. After my first and last experience eating the traditional UK meal, fish and chips, we enjoyed a nice, cold beer in a brown paper bag on the side of the street -- classy. Seeing that I did not want my food, I thought the birds might be hungry, so the pigeons surrounded me...waiting....
We ended up by North Shore, where the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House are, so the food was quite expensive. After my first and last experience eating the traditional UK meal, fish and chips, we enjoyed a nice, cold beer in a brown paper bag on the side of the street -- classy. Seeing that I did not want my food, I thought the birds might be hungry, so the pigeons surrounded me...waiting....
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| Picture taken by Arianna F. |
An aboriginal family/group was performing in front of the harbour. They called me to come up and join their music jam session (sesh), which was pretty fun. The guy playing the didjeridu (on right) also gave Washington, DC a shout out, naming the United States the best place he has been to.
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| Picture taken by Arianna F. |
After making my first musical debut with the Aboriginal musicians, we headed to the infamous Sydney Opera House. We caught a glimpse of the Royal Botanical Gardens next to the Opera House, but the Harbour Bridge (World's largest, not longest, steel arch bridge) and sailboats captured our attention.
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| Picture taken by Arianna F. |
What better way to experience the Opera House when you're not seeing a show than to check out the washroom?! I'm pretty sure the toilets were heated and the bathrooms smelled like Bath and Body Works (I miss you...). Aside from checking out the loo, my friends and I decided we should get a coffee or beer at the Opera House -- when is that going to happen again!? Beer, it is.
As we were waiting to order, my eyes were set on a keyboard, stage, and microphone; as well as a beautiful Australian singer, performing for spectators of the Sydney Opera House. The pianist and another guy with him approached me, so I smiled, and we engaged in dialogue. About 4-5 questions in, I was offered a beer and a chance to sing in front of the Sydney Opera House. WHY NOT (my motto while being in Australia). Who can say that they've gone to a country on exchange and been able to perform in front of a [inter]national icon, such as the Sydney Opera House. (Video of performance below)
Eminem: Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity ; To seize everything you ever wanted in one moment ; Would you capture it or just let it slip?
The day continued to get better. We went to Sydney's 360 Bar and Dining, a restaurant with revolving floors so you get the view of the entire city, for cocktail hour...but left with no cocktails or coffee. One of my friends from Belgium/the hostel that I went to Penguin Parade with on Phillip Island met up with my friends and I. It was so nice to have someone in the city to show us around! :)
Off to Darling Harbour for dinner. We only spent $10 on for our meals at Lizard Lounge. There were a lot of burger and fries (chips) options, but with all of the junk we had been eating throughout the road trip was enough for the weekend. Salad and kababs are never a bad idea.
It was Saturday night and we were in Sydney. I was prepared and excited to experience the Sydney nightlife. Unfortunately, my friends were exhausted and didn't have the energy to make it. So, I ventured alone to ScuBar. I didn't think it was too far of a distance to worry; after all, it was right "down" stairs. I bought myself a few drinks and danced the night away. Per usual, I met some cool people for the night and made one new friend from England that I already met up with again in Melbourne! ;)
The night ended for me at 6AM and I think it was all worth it. I mean, it's Sydney.
Three (3) hours later, I woke up to shower and check out of the room. I retold stories of my night with my friends over brunch and coffee. It was a beautiful day, so we headed to Bondi Beach -- one of Sydney's most famous beach.
Of course we entered the water for the sake of opportunity and felt the waves thrush as high as our knees, until the water began to come up too high. When in Sydney...
Bondi Beach in Sydney sounds like a great excuse for a new piercing. Arianna and I talked about getting our ears pierced together when we first met, so here was another chance to do something. We spotted a tattoo parlor across from the beach and headed over to create a memory. I got my left cartilage ear pierced and she got her tragus done. Afterward, we sat down at a Brazilian restaurant with a perfect view of the beach.
Our trip was coming to an end and for a day and a half, it was enough for now. I definitely think I'll be returning to Sydney. I'm not sure when, but we had something...
*Eminem - Lose Yourself
September 13, 2011 at 12:27 PM
I LOVVVVVVEEEEEEE YOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Snow