My wonderful husband indulges me often, mostly when I get talking about "going somewhere." I'm not super particular about what place it is, but every few months I get itchy feet and need to go someplace new, see something different, and take a step outside of day-to-day life.
The indulgence this year? Australia. Yes, for 12 glorious days we explored a country/continent that I have been talking about going to for... well, for more than a decade. A decade, you ask?! Here's the scoop: my family of friends and I decided to go to Australia when we were 25 together because we would be financially stable to spend a few months there and catch up on each others lives - after all, it would be a few years after college, and certainly any student loans we took would be paid off. Ah... the dreaming minds of 11 year olds.
By the chances of fate (and my sheer determination to explore beyond the American border), here we are 25, and I really did go to Australia. No, it wasn't for a few months, and Greg and I certainly did miss having the friend-family there. But the sweetness of being there was not lost, and we are counting on going back. There's still a lot of Australia to explore.
So, it's a 13 hour flight to Sydney. If you're lucky, you'll fly on a trip 7 airplane and be in control of the movies you see (and when you see them!) because you'll have a handy-dandy little screen in the back of the seat in front of you. You'll even have the option to play video games to help pass the time.
If you're on a budget, you'll fly on a 747, and crane your neck to see the one screen per cabin (at least that's what it feels like) that is suspended from the ceiling.
We were on a budget.
After a somewhat restful flight, with only mildly okay food (one more reason that we always pack plenty of granola bars, an apple, a couple of fruit leathers, crackers, etc.) we landed in Sydney on Sunday morning at quarter to seven. We were the first flight of the day - and already the airport was hoppin'! A quick check through customs and a new passport stamp later, we were on a bus from the airport to the central train station in Sydney.
We chose to stay in a neighbourhood of Sydney that doesn't get much tourist traffic, so we walked about 15 minutes from the train station to our quaint little bed and breakfast, took a quick nap, refreshed with a shower, and hit the town! First stop: Wagamama's for lunch.
It's maybe a bit hard to describe Wagamama's to those who have not yet been there. Here's what you need to know: it's delicious, it's fresh, and it's fast. It's a Japanese-style noodle bar complete with communal tables (so you get to know other people!).
As we were enjoying our deliciousness, the rain began pouring outside. As in torrential downpour. So, we ordered a second round of green tea, stayed a bit longer, and when the rain didn't let up, we walked (okay, we splashed!) next door to the aquarium. We saw displays of Australian sea life and walked in tunnels of sharks and stingrays and turtles swimming around us. It was a great lazy way to start the vacation.
We spent as much of the day as we could walking the city. I think it's the best way to really see things. So, we walked to the Sydney Fish Market, and we walked through Hyde Park and to St. Mary's Cathedral.
We spent the evening in our little neighbourhood and called it an early night (or morning, depending on how we were keeping track of the time).
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