Ok, rule number one of travelling: Bus sight-seeing tours are on buses for a reason, do not attempt to walk them.
So of course, the first thing I did when I got to Sydney was get a map for the bus sight-seeing tour and save $25 by walking it. By the end my legs felt completely like jelly, and my feet are now nicely covered in blisters, but at the same time I thought walking the route (and getting lost 3 times in the process) gave me more of a feel for what Sydney's really about.
My tour took me through China town, to Darling Harbour - a little harbour with some trendy looking bars, a submarine and a pirate ship... Sitting down in the shade for a minute, to avoid melting in the heat, I started to reflect on where I was. I had always been excited about coming travelling, but the real excitement had come the second I walked through security at Hong Kong airport. That was when it suddenly it me that I was travelling for 7 months in random countries on my own. Everything suddenly seemed a bit daunting, but after about 20 seconds I told myself to shut up and felt incredibly excited...probably more than I ever have in my life. Now sitting on the bridge in Darling Harbour, I had a massive grin on my face, and thought "Here I am, it's begun! And it's fantastic!"
Next I walked up George Street (the street I'm staying at the far end of) to Sydney Harbour, which I thought was absolutely beautiful. That's when I decided that I could easily live in Sydney - a feeling which has grown so much in the past few days, that I've totally fallen in love with the city. In contrast, the second I saw the Opera House, which is just round the corner, I burst out laughing... I hate to be so negative about it, because I really do love Sydney... but it's tiny!!! I was expecting something far more impressive. Maybe Hong Kong has destroyed my idea of what the size of buildings should be!
So anyways, after my exhausting tour I went back to the hostel, ready to completely crash out and get over my flight, in my nice comfy bed. Not likely. The hostel I'm staying in, Wake Up! Has been voted the best hostel in the world, and it certainly lives up to its reputation. Half an hour later I was downstairs in the hostel's club, with blue and yellow warpaint on my face and a piece of yellow cloth tied round my head (Rambo style, but in the colours of Sweden as it was a Swedish party), playing drinking games with a couple of girls from my dorm and some random Geordie lads.
At this point I feel it's appropriate to mention that Sydney is full of foreigners. It literally seems like 80% of people in the city or on the beach are travellers.
Well whoever the people are, Sydney certainly likes to party. The following night I decided to go out for "just a couple of quiet drinks" with another girl from my dorm and the friends she'd made in Syney. Much against my plans the night resulted in dancing on top of the bar to YMCA and other equally ridiculous songs. So this is Sydney - and it fits me perfectly.
Today, I dragged myself out of bed to go back to sleep on the famous Bondi Beach. It wasn't quite as spectacular as I'd expected it, but was still a good beach. We have a heatwave here in Sydney at the moment, the temperature is supposed to be well in the 40's. Bondi Beach has quite a big breeze though, so it was comfortable enough - just right in my opinion.
When I woke up a few hours later I decided to make the coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee beach - something that would be my first recommendation for Sydney. The walk takes you to all the beaches along that coast - some surf beaches, some sunbathing beaches, some great rock pools, a cemetary looking out to the sea - a really lovely, peaceful contrast to the busy beaches, and some great cliff faces. Finally before I got to Coogee beach, I sat on some rocks on a cliff looking out to the sea. The rocks reminded me of Arizona or somewhere - red, with scrubby looking bushes poking out here and there. I was the only person there, and there was a real sense of solitude - the kind that makes you feel totally one with the world, and really appreciate the beautiful place we live in. It was at this point I was really glad that I was travelling alone. I can still find people to party with, but only alone can you get moments of peace like that.
Anyways 7 minutes left of my internet left, so this is the end of the blog for now! I will hopefully be back online in Byron Bay - where I arrive on Monday night.
Though first quick note to let you know I've added 2 more places to the trip - Singapore and Malaysia!
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