New City - New Things To Do!

The flight to Brisbane was somewhat of a nightmare for me. The lines were horribly long at the Jetstar departure area, and it took a long time to get through. Then, anyone with a checked bag had to go back and pay $80 for it at a completely different counter. They stapled my boarding pass to another students’ pass, who had to pay for a checked bag. I ended up waiting in that line as well. Then came the security line. Here is where it got exciting for us Americans. I did NOT have to take my boots off! I did NOT have to throw my water away! The irritations of American airlines vanished, and I made it through security with ease. Leather seats on the flight were a plus, and the cat nap commenced.

Upon arriving in Brisbane, we piled into a taxi-van, which took us across town to our apartments. The accommodations here in Brisbane are less Hogwartish than those in Sydney, for which I am appreciative. There is a pool on the roof, and air conditioning. The A/C in and of itself is a major plus.

We had an hour or two to relax, and buy groceries, before meeting up as a group and going down to the river. The river walk here in Brisbane is absolutely gorgeous, and is a landscaper’s paradise. There will be much more about this area in later posts, I promise!

Towards the end of the river walk, we came upon a giant ferris wheel, called the Ekka, from which you can see the city. We got on there, and did 5 rotations. This gave us time to view the city from a new perspective, and was quite enjoyable.

After that, some students and the professors chose to walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens on the other side of the river. These amazing gardens and open spaces, placed in the center of such a booming city, are just awe inspiring. The planning of the cities (so far) in Australia seem to be far superior to anything I've ever seen in the US.

Bedtime came early, as we had gained an hour by flying north to Brisbane. That said, I am now only 16 hours ahead of US Central time instead of 17.

Last day... for now.

This gorgeous, yet last, day in Sydney proved to be just as exciting as I had hoped. Animals are a weak spot of mine. If you don’t believe me, ask my parents, to whom I constantly brought new pets as a kid (even if I couldn’t keep them)! That said, going to the Taronga Zoo was amazing. The koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, platypus, and even the giraffes, elephants, and penguins, were all great. Seeing the Australian animals up close and personal, was an experience that I will treasure! 

Koalas sleep 20 hours a day

I was literally within arms reach of
this guy, and he just stared at me.

Roo's are just chillin'

Tasmanian Devils eat roadkill

The tasmanian devil is most widely known as Taz, the Looney Tunes character. The spinning antics of Taz are not seen in any tasmanian devil today, though. A zoo keeper at the Taronga Zoo explained that when Taz was created, the tasmanian devils in zoos had nothing to occupy themselves with, and would end up spinning around in boredom. Some animals sway, some pace, and some spin. These bored, spinning, devils, gave way to the famous character, Taz.

The view from the zoo was surprising. I have been amazed by this city... One minute, you’re surrounded by trees, and the next, you’re in the middle of skyscrapers! Also, the view coming back from the zoo was great, as it always is in Sydney. The bridge is a monument to architects everywhere, and should continue to be a prized possession of Sydney.

• Tomorrow, we are off to Brisbane, where an entirely new phase of this blog will begin. Prepare yourselves people... Prepare yourselves.

Feel the burn baby.

Our day began much earlier than the usual, as we departed for the train station at 6:30. After a 2 hour train ride, we arrived in Katoomba, to begin our adventure. We walked to Echo Point where I looked out over the Blue Mountains. The view was gorgeous, but I wanted to see more.

G'day Mate

Canopy

 Well, I saw some stairs. Something cool must be down there... They were steep stairs, but no big deal right? WRONG. There were, in total, approximately 900 extremely steep, and very uneven, stairs. That's not a number I'm pulling out of thin air. That is how many there were! After that, we hiked at least 6 miles, and at most 8, throughout the Blue Mountains. Our group climbed onto a huge outcrop of stone, for a photo-op. War Eagle!

The Group

After coming close to DEATH (slight exaggeration) we hiked back to a spot where the steepest railway in the world took us back to the top of Echo Point. It cost $11, but it was well worth avoiding 900 steps up a steep staircase. One professor and a few students had decided to go up those steps, so while awaiting their arrival back in Katoomba, the group that chickened out and paid $11 for the railway went to a restaurant to eat. There, I had the opportunity to try a Kangaroo burger. It was quite tasty, though slightly chewy. They prepared it more like steak, but I found it to be delicious!

The train ride back to Sydney was much better, due to the fact that I slept the whole way. My muscles are very sore, but that means my body worked hard! Pain is just weakness leaving the body... Well, that's a lie, but really it's nice knowing that I was able to make it through the experience. Those that knew me before college, can understand why I gained immense satisfaction with myself. All my reasons for losing so much weight came back and slapped me in the face. The trip reminded me of why I live and eat the way I do, and will ensure that I continue!

God, Auburn Football, and the Travel Channel

New Years day "technically" started out with massive amounts of fireworks. We arrived at the dorms some hours later, and I made it to bed by 3:30. My alarm went off at 7, telling me that it was time to get up and take a shower. I made it to the bus stop, then to the train station, and was quickly on my way to Chatswood for worship. Upon arriving, I was warmly greeted, and was able to meet the person I had been contacting through email for quite some time. The service went well, and I was invited out to eat afterward. The church is very multi-cultural, and I ended up eating with Kiwis, Aussies, Japanese, and Chinese people. It was a blast, and I enjoyed being able to sit down and talk with Christians from across the world. 

After a while on the train, I caught a bus to go to a local sports bar called, "Cheers," to watch the Auburn Tigers win their bowl game. It was amazing to be in Sydney, Australia... with a 17 hour time difference, watching my university football team play. A few locals joined us to watch the game, making the experience all the better.


I had to come back to this post and add that while yelling and cheering for the Auburn Tigers, Rebecca Black's song, FRIDAY, came on. Please, Australians... Learn your days of the week so that Rebecca doesn't have to teach you. "Yesterday was Thursday, tomorrow is Saturday, it's Friday."

If you recall, I posted, back in early December, about food in Sydney. Well, I took the plunge, and traveled 40 minutes or so to Parramatta to eat at Harry's Cafe de Wheels. The Tiger Pie was all Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods said it was, and MORE. It was absolutely delicious. Beyond that, they sold banana milk, which I have loved since I was a kid. Nesquik used to sell it, but stopped and let chocolate and strawberry take over. This was an awesome find, that made my night amazing. Good food makes for good times! 

Harry's Cafe de Wheels

Tiger Pie

Banana Milk

Time to Dream... NYE 2011

To begin the day, the group took off towards the Sydney Aquarium for a morning filled with fins, blubber, and tentacles. We saw some of the multiple living creatures that are easily capable of killing us with a simple touch. We also saw some unique animals, such as the platypus and dugong. Anyone who knows me, knows I love fish! Seeing the amazing varieties of fish, coral, and other aquatic creatures was an absolutely amazing experience!

Largest Shark on record

What made it even better, was seeing Nemo, Dory, Gill, Crush, and other Finding Nemo characters swimming in their "natural" habitat. "I wish I could speak whale!"

The rest of the afternoon before our New Years Adventure, was spent shopping, while some students were searching for new clothes to go out in. That in and of itself was an experience!


One can't just hang around Sydney on New Years Eve and not see the fireworks that burst over the harbour. We left the college around 4:30 and began to make our way down towards the harbour. Along the way, I spotted a smart car being used as an ambulance... Even I can't fit in one of those things, and we all know how short I am! Needless to say, it was absolutely crazy getting there, but we arrived around 6:30 after painstakingly creeping across the city. Our nice, cozy spot on the ground became cozier as the night went on, and our group was slowly pushed into a tight circle. We met some very interesting characters throughout the night, as we were crammed into a tight space with them. When you're that close to someone, you might as well make friends! Nicole and Chiem, a husband and wife from Holland, made the night quite enjoyable with their antics and jokes. An older couple from Sydney entertained the entire crowd with their ballroom dancing skills. Romain from France, and Craig from Scotland joined the group after meeting a few of the Auburn students somewhere else in the crowd. The evening was quite enjoyable, and definitely memorable. The fireworks were spectacular, and just being around all the loonies in Sydney made the night awesome!

Fox Hunting, Pizzas, and Beaches

Day 3 in Sydney Australia started out much differently than the first two days. The delirium brought by 20 hours on planes, followed by a full day of hiking and sight seeing, has worn off. My internal clock is on Aussie time, which I am thankful for. I believe my body didn’t go through bad jet lag, due to the fact that it was encased in a tube of metal, with no light, for about 11 hours over the Pacific Ocean. At that point, I was able to just jump into whatever time zone I found myself in, with little to no problems. That said, This morning was all about the thing which we all dread... School. We had two papers due by 8am, and a test over the book, “In a Sunburned Country,” at 9:15. After that, our plans were our own until one o’clock, when we rejoined as one group, and continued our exploration of Sydney. 

The currency in Australia is not like the US at all. Their dollar bills are colorful, with places on them that you can see through. The value of their coins are based more on the type of metal than anything else. In the United States, a quarter is both bigger, and worth more, than the other coins. Here, the largest coin is a silver 50 cent piece, while the smallest is a gold two dollar coin. It feels odd holding such a small coin, and knowing that it’s worth $2 (granted $2 will get you nowhere here in Sydney.) 

A hefty portion of our afternoon was spent exploring the Olympic Park. In the year 2000, Sydney hosted the Olympics. A massive “city” was created specifically for the event, and now lies virtually empty, bar some occasional use. Monuments and similar items have been erected, celebrating the athletes glorious achievements. The pool area has been refitted for use by the public, and the stadium is used for concerts, cricket matches, and other events similar to these. Having never been to an Olympic park, whether for the Olympics or after, this opportunity was welcomed with much enthusiasm. 

On the train ride back to Circular Quay from the Olympic park, a conversation was struck up between myself and a middle aged gentlemen wearing multiple jackets. I know this, because he stood there and took off each jacket, one by one. Anyways, the man is a fox-hunter. “Ya let the hounds get afta the foxes, and you just say, “Tally ho foxes!” Our thoroughbreds can jump anythin’ that gets in their way.” The man seemed quite proud of his hunting ability, and was willing to share with anyone who gave them a minute of their time. 

Upon arriving at Circular Quay, we boarded a ferry headed to Manly Beach. We were able to see the harbour from an entirely different viewpoint, which was quite the experience. After watching the scenery slip by, we arrived at Manly beach and walked down a lengthy strip of shops, bars, and restaurants, to end up at a gorgeous shoreline. Within 5 minutes of enjoying the sight, we realized some girls were being rescued by a local surfer and some of their friends. I tell you this folks, anyone who says Australia is dangerous, is not kidding! After splashing through the shallow end (no sharks for me, thank you!) we ended up at the Sugar Lounge where they were serving $5 pizzas. I chose a smoked chicken with mango and brie... It was delicious! The ferry ride back to Sydney was chilly, windy, and a tad bumpy. My only experience with ferries comes from Seattle (Puget Sound) which is definitely a much calmer passage than through this harbor. It was rough, but seeing the Sydney Harbour lit up at night, glowing for all to see... That, made it all worth it!

Spectacular Views

 

From the Sydney Harbor Bridge, one can see all of Sydney. From the Botanical Gardens, to Darling Harbor, and The Rocks. The view is great, and the weather was nice. It was a nice hike up the to top of the bridge, but it was definitely worth it!

View from the Harbor Bridge

The Sydney Opera House
makes for a nice backdrop.

The exchange rate from US to Australia is generally higher (our dollar is worth less) than most other countries, but sometimes hovers around 1. That would be fine, except I have learned that the cost of living in Australia is rather high. $4 for a Coke. $14 for a pack of four AAA batteries. $6 for some toothpaste. I was prepared for the more expensive cost due to the exchange rate, but hadn't considered the cost of living being so much higher. Also, restaurants do NOT refill your drinks. I paid $2.50 for a soda, and then ended up drinking water after finishing off my small cup of Coke. Needless to say, I believe I'll stick to water from here on out! The minimum wage here is much higher, as well as the per hour cost for skilled labor. Everything is just so expensive!

There are public toilets available as you explore the city of Sydney. Before you ask, "Who would go in a port-a-potty in Australia?!?!", let me explain. These bathrooms are large, secure, and are not free. You have to pay to use them! I might just work up the courage to enter one before we depart for Brisbane...

Public Toilet

The more I explore the college in which we are staying, the more I feel like I'm in Hogwarts. There is a great hall, with long tables for eating at. I feel as if I will, if I look hard enough, see the sorting hat sitting on a stool at the other end of the room. There are crests, symbols, and shields. Winding hallways and secret passages. Maybe I'll find a painting to talk to while I'm here.

Students arriving at Wesley College (Hogwarts

First day... American Style

First off, Sydney is a place full of art, and beauty. Amidst the tall, shiny buildings, there are groves of mature trees. Amidst the bustling traffic, there are birds, bats, and butterflies. Amidst the human living space,  the natural environment still exists. Instead of tearing down anything green and building in it's place, Sydney has incorporated it's everyday activities into nature. Look to your right, and see a car. Look to your left, and see a pond with bats and ducks living happily. From across the harbor, one can see the corner of the Botanical Gardens. This outstanding nature preserve is a welcoming sanctum from the hustle of the city.

The locals are fun, energetic people. I have seen a lot of men and women alike hurrying about the city. A businessman ran past our group to catch his bus. A teenager zoomed by on his skateboard. An older lady hobbled along with a cane to reach the train she was awaiting. The people that inhabit Sydney are active, and not slothful. Everyone, is going everywhere!

"Stupid Americans." This is a phrase heard often as a group of 17 Americans try to make their way around Australia. While searching for another group of friends in The North Face, all we had to ask was, "Is there a group of Americans in here?" The clerk pointed us straight to them. Apparently, it is easy to point us out!

A street contortionist performed at Circular Quay, and chose one of our own Auburn students to help her. She knew we were American by our "enthusiasm." I'm not sure what to take from that yet, but I feel like enthusiasm is an important thing to have in life.

On day one of this trip, I already feel like I know my way around. I feel as if I've been here, and belong here. Sydney is an amazing place, full of wonders that I can never get tired of seeing.

The University of Sydney at Sunset

And as I looked through the small, prison like window, I saw... shining out to the world, underneath the rays of the Australian sunrise... The massive golden arches, standing tall and proud, of McDonalds. Welcome to Sydney, Australia.

Bizarre Foods

The Travel channel's, "Bizarre Foods", starring Andrew Zimmern, did an episode on Eastern Australia. First up : Sydney. "Australia is all about contradictions. It's home to one of the oldest civilizations, and the most modern world-class cities."

#1 - Kangaroo Tail Soup : Tastes like beef... Then let's eat a cow! No matter what, I can't come home from Sydney and not be able to say that I tried this...

#2 - Quandong : A fruit harvested from trees that can only grow if the seed has germinated in an Emu's digestive system, and sprouted in it's dung. Yum!

#3 - Vegemite : It has been estimated that 9 out of 10 Australians have vegemite in their homes. Try it on toast, with butter. I'm sure we'll be able to find it in any restaurant!

#4 - Tiger Pie : Sold at Harry's Cafe de Wheels. "You can't go to Sydney and not have a Tiger Pie from Harry's." It is pie crust, holding meat stew, mashed potatoes, mushy peas, and a dollop of gravy on top. Meat pies are a staple of Australian eating, but the Tiger Pie is considered to be top of the line.

I'm all for trying new things, but kangaroo will be a tad interesting!

Packing Pro

Today is our pre-departure meeting. We were told to come to the meeting packed, and ready to go to Australia. We will walk to downtown Auburn for a drink (I'll be getting tea!), so that we can get a feel for how traveling with our luggage will be like.

I wanted to take one bag to avoid paying all the checked luggage fees. Also one bag means less "junk" to lug around! New Zealand's carry-on weight limit is 10kg, which is a little over 20 pounds. I was able to pack one bag, which weighs 14 lbs.

On the trip home, I'm sure it will weigh more!!!