Bondi!

Bus to Coogee and walked the coastal path to Bondi! Beautiful day, no wind at all. 

Bondi beach!

We bought some Jim Beam cans and sat on the park just above the beach. The sun dropped though and it got freezing! Went a bar up on the street and had mulled wine! 

For our last day in Sydney we decided to go back to the beach because it was going to be 20degrees and we've seen all of the city. We were heading back to Coogee by bus and had a message from Michael Heslop saying he lives in Coogee, and Charlie Kiernander lives in Bondi. So Mike came and met us on the beach, sat there for a while. And then went to a park in North Bondi where you can see the whole of Sydney. It was a really cool view. And the sky looks so moody! But you can see the bridge and Opera house in there. 

Then we collected Charlie from Bondi Junction and went for a pizza. This made me miss going to NSW art gallery as planned. But we needed to go and pack. So caught a bus back to Newtown. It had got really windy, cold and drizzly by now. 

As good as Sydneysiders by now! 7/7/14

Set off a bit later today, although I still woke up at 8. Walked right down To the end of Kings Street to look in the local vintage shops. I want to shop and find a jacket!! But it seems most are shut on a Monday so went in very few. An interesting one called Vintage Vogue had some seriously vintage 1940/50's clothing, museum worthy. A Coco Chanel wedding dress. Don't know how they would afford to by these and not sell.

Went back up to Newtown station, to head to Central. I wanted to walk through Hyde Park and see the Naidoc Festivities and onto The Art Gallery of NSW. However, it was such a lovely day that we thought we wanted to stay outside. I'd go to the gallery on Wednesday night when it's open til 10. Seems a better use of time. I've read about so many Op Shops so decided to look for some.

Walked through Surry Hills from Central Station, to Darlinghurst to Kings Cross to Elizabeth Bay, Wooloomooloo and then back to Central Station through the Botanic Gardens and down Macquarie Street through Hyde Park. 

Popped into Kings Cross Library to see a textile exhibition of screen prints I'd read on timeout, associated with the Naidoc Week. It turned out to be one of those which are hung around the hot stuffy library instead of a dedicated room. So I looked quickly and picked up the information to google the artists later.

We found one Op shop on this journey, a bit disappointing because after being in there I would have loved to have done loads. I got a crazy kimono jersey thing and a dress. Laura got a scarf because it is cooolld!

Elizabeth bay was pretty but the cafe we were headed for didn't sell alcohol which is what we needed by now so headed back to the pub on Wooloomooloo wharf. $10 for a Kopperberg though! I had Bulmers on tap and was offered a schooner or a pint 😝

The sun went and temp dropped while we sitting here so left. I looked for the flying squirrels in the trees but maybe they had woken up already.

Bought pasta and sauce and bread and jam on way back coz we've been eating like kings and really need to start not doing that. $20 for four items!! Got given our box of Bowls and cutlery and cooked our tea in the communal kitchen! Like being at uni again but a bit worse.

The Blue Mountains

My phone said 4degrees in Katoomba when we woke up! So we put on a lot of layers for a day trip! Walked to Newtown station, buying a sandwich on the way. Train to Central, where we'd be able to get on the Blue Mountains train. It cost $11 for a return!! 2 hour journey, So cheap. Also the trains are double deckers and have seats that can change direction! So you can sit as a four or a two or in the right direction of travel.

So the two hour journey consisted of a screaming child and drifting in and out of a nap. The shock of the cold when we got off was awful and it never eased up. 

Outside the station was a ticket office who suggested what we should do and took our money. $35 for Scenic World unlimited ride usage. So this is the steepest train in the world, first used to carry coal from the mines to the town of Katoomba but then as a tourist attraction since 1940's. Queuing was stupid, but we had to do it. Should have been a midweek trip, although everyone was Chinese so maybe it wouldn't have made any difference. They were everywhere, so rude and pushing into you. The railway was quite fun but was kinda over quickly. But 52degree angle was steep! 

From the bottom we walked a bit around the elevated pathways to the cable car. Another queue and then got packed in like sardines and couldn't see anything anyway. Felt like I was in a Lift in China. We won't be doing anything like this again, too busy. Went on the train again when the Chinese seemed to have left with intentions of getting a picture taken but then decided it wasn't worth going back up again for it. 

We found a pathway which led to The Three Sisters, out of scenic world and into National Park path. This was fun, being out in the open and hiking! Still cold though! We'd been walking for ages probably 45 mins when we got to a sign that said halfway point! Couldn't believe it. Started getting warmer and warn out! And then at the end of this pathway we were faced with no other option but the Giant Staircase!

This is not a lie, don't attempt unless your fit! 900 steps that were practically vertical. And some handrails were missing. We were aware that sunset would be soon and didn't want to get caught out. Was so hard work. Chinese girl crying. A dog bounding down looking very happy. And an old man walking down who warned us we were only half way! He sounded like he did this all the time 😳

Anyway we made it, 5 o'clock by now and had photos as the top. This was three sisters but was way too cold to hang about. I could have turned to ice. All we really wanted now was some pub grub! Got on the local bus back to Katoomba Town and found a hotel/pub with a fire and pie and mash! Stayed here until warm and then dashed back to the train station hoping we'd be in time! 

5th July in Sydney

Today we headed to Glebe market. About a twenty minute walk. It was a cute market, vintage and second hand stalls as well as handmade stuff. I didn't get anything, was kinda in a daze coz hadn't eaten yet but Laura got a few things. I really need to find a jacket though! Would like to take a stroll down Kings Street and find a cool one, loads of nice boutiques and vintage shops. 

We next walked to Darling Harbour, following signs, so it was probably a longer route than necessary. A sunny day but the wind was stronger today so made it chilly. Was pretty down at the harbour. Felt more family orientated with the sea life and madam tuessaudes. We got a Movenpick ice cream too. Went down to the ferries and got on one to Cockatoo Island to see where the convicts were sent. Only a five minute ferry ride. The island had had many uses over 200 years but I thought they could have presented it better. I expected a bit of a museum set up with things to see and read but instead you just have to walk around the island looking at the buildings from the outside. It's all as it was left but there wasn't much help to the imagination. Got a booklet though.

Got a ferry back to Circular Quay and decided to just have a walk around the city centre and shops for a while coz although we were really tired there wouldn't be anything to do if we went back to the hostel. It's just for sleeping in not for hanging out in the prison cells! 

We walked for quite a long time, saw Westfield, Hyde Park, Sydney Mint. Funny how many places have the same name as in England. Everywhere either matches somewhere at home or has an aboriginal name!

Caught a bus back to Newtown and got off at Dominos! We deserved some tasty calories after our walking and being freezing. Cheap too but not quite as good. Ate in the shop and then walked back to the hostel. Had a really good hot shower and facetimed Danny :) a week could be too long to spend in Sydney on a budget. Although we've got the days filled, being out for whole days means spending more! Heading to the Blue Mountains in the morning.

Sydney time

Another Air New Zealand flight. We like these, asking for more alcohol! I watched my first full film too without falling asleep, The Great Budapest Hotel. Also the only flight we've arrived somewhere in the day and been able to see out the window. Sydney looked sunny!!

We had to declare again 90 cigeretes instead of the 50 limit so they took 40 away from us. Worth a try. I also had to abandon a nice piece of coral I got from Fiji because I'd forgotten to pack it in my suitcase. I probably would have got away with it too coz they didn't xray our bags again. 

Got a taxi to Billabong gardens and stared at our room! Tiny!!! And can't walk because suitcases all over the floor. Both top bunks which are so difficult to get in and out of! The steps are half covered by lockers and it makes it a bit of a scene.