I guess I must have looked a little lost because three people asked me if I needed help finding the correct train. As a matter of fact, I did... One guy even gave me his Opal Card (very useful for public transport) so I didn't even have to pay for my ticket! Finally I arrived at Asylum Backpackers in Woolloomooloo and although the people were friendly I immediately disliked it. It was pretty dirty and I didn't feel comfortable in the area either. Together with a French roommate I cooked some pasta and then went to sleep pretty early.
The next morning I took a walk through the city and Botanical Gardens. They were absolutely beautiful! In general walking was much more exhausting than in New Zealand though, already I couldn't really cope with the heat difference. I went on to see St. Mary's Cathedral, Mrs Mcquairies Chair and of course the famous opera house at the harbour.
A beautiful white Cuckatoo
At 12.30 pm I had booked a tour with ThunderJet (use Bookme for that!) which was just the cooling-off I needed. I was allowed to sit at the very front where the ride is the bumpiest and enjoyed every single second of it! It was a fun way to get around the harbour while getting completely soaked in sea water.
After spending some more time in the gardens to dry I headed to Government House to participate in the next free guided tour. It was a nice building and I got some insight in the Australian politics.
Again I walked through the whole city, past the Queen Victoria Building, to the Sydney Tower Eye. It was a perfect clear day and from the top I had a great view over the city. Still, it was just like every other Skytower.
Queen Victoria Shopping Centre
Once again I raced across the whole city to join the 6 pm free guided tour through The Rocks. It was really interesting and we passed many historical sights and observed fruit bats in the trees above us. Unfortunately my phone died though so I actually came back the next day to revisit the locations in daylight.
The next day would be full of tours and museums. First I had booked a tour through the opera house for the shows had all been sold out already and this was the only way to go in. Afterwards I bought a Sydney Museums Pass, a very cheap way to see everything you want to.
I started with the Justice and Police Museum. There were great old photographs of crimes and suspects and interesting stories. Susannah Place was next. They had left the house as it had been built and furnished for the first European settlers. The living conditions must have been horrible! The Museum of Sydney was next on the list and I learned a lot about the history of the first settlements as well as modern architecture. Hyde Park Barracks were last and gave an insight into prison life. I made it just before closing time at 5 pm and was even rewarded a virtual golden star for doing them all in one day.
Oktoberfest in Sydney?
One of the oldest pubs... apparently they served free drinks and then sold the drunk people into slavery so be wary!
A thousand dirty footprints on the Bridge Tunnel walls.
Susannah Place toilet
The Opera House design
Hyde Park Barracks
After resting my feet for a short while I headed all the way back to the Conservatory of Music. I must have walked sooo many kilometers in the last two days! At 6.30 pm I met Alice whom I still knew from Burnside High School Orchestra. We listened to her new university orchestra playing Wagner and Bruckner and it was wonderful music.
Shortly after we took the bus to the city center for we had reserved a table at the Mjölner Bar & Restaurant. We didn't find the door at first for it was hidden and there was no sign on the streets but eventually we saw the hammer of Thor on the door. The whole bar is Viking themed with many interesting cocktails and swords and armour on the walls. I was glad we reserved a table for it was fully packed and they even had to send some people away again.
When we could finally sit down we got to choose a real steal cutting knife that looked like a dagger. We got a free shot of something not too unpleasant in horn shaped glasses that you had to drink in one gulp for you couldn't set them down. The only vegetarian meal on the menu was also the cheapest by far so it didn't take us long to decide. We got baked eggplant and caramelized pumpkin with Ricotta cheese and nuts. It was absolutely delicious! I would definitely recommend this to everyone passing through Sydney!
On Sundays you only pay 2,50 AU$ with the Opal Card no matter how far you go. Alice and I met up in the morning and took the train to Featherdale Wildlife Park. There were many weird animals and it looked like some school children had just drawn something and it had come to life. Wallabies were jumping around through the visitors, fat Wombats were sleeping in the sun and one of the many colourful birds actually pooed on my head. Great, thanks... We decided to get the full experience and take a photo with a koala. His fur was unbelievably soft!
Kookaburra
Baby Wallaby
Wombat
He looks like an evil vampire...
On the way back we stopped at Elizabeth Farm that still looked like it had 100 years ago but it wasn't really worth the long way. We then continued to Bondi Beach, the typical tourist spot. Although it wasn't even real summer the beach was quite crowded and you were only allowed to swim in a tiny spot. There were lifeguards everywhere but when I went in I could finally understand why. The waves were extremely high and strong and jumping them was really fun. I didn't see any sharks though.
From there we walked along the cliffs to Bronte Beach where we had a burger and enjoyed the sunset. It got surprisingly cold afterwards so we went back to the hostel soon afterwards.
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