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Hi everyone. I have just found out that I cant do too blog entries on one day or it deletes the first one so im writing up 'DAY 1 IN SYDNEY' again!
I enjoy flying so was pretty gutted that my last flight in Australia was only going to be an hour and half. Which means you will get a biscuit and some tea or coffee. I really like the Qantas food and wanted to have it again but no such luck. I always ask for a window seat because I like being able to put my head against the window and not have to get up when the passengers next to me need to go to the toilet or walk around.
So I checked in early and got my window seat, the plane began boarding on time (which is the usual for Qantas) and everything was running smoothly. The one thing that gets me everytime I have flown domestic in Australia is that family and friends can actually come up to the gate entrance and watch you step onto the plane. So me being on my own- it always annoys me when I have all these sobbing people around me who then sob for the entire duration of the flight. Maybe im just jealous that no one is there to wave me off!!
So everything is running smoothly and im sitting in my seat and reading some junk left stuffed down the side of the seat when I hear all this noise! I looked up and to my surprise there were about 30 massive rugby players getting on. The Penrith Panthers: they are 5th in the table so apparently they are quite good, but I didnt know this at the time. I just knew that they were going to sit with me- I could feel it. So a couple of minutes later im sitting in the middle of the entire team, coaches, managers etc. I just gazed out the window and hoped this would be over soon. My main fear was that they would discover I was for the UK- which basically makes all Aussies get excited and start to throw there best jokes towards me. You see, usually I give them back but this is a 30 man Rugby team and I shouldnt really get involved.
Anyway 10 minutes later (yes, your in the air after 10 minutes of boarding- so quick) we we were taxiing onto the runway (as usual) and the engines came on and we started moving forward and then suddenly we jerked forward and came to a stop. The Pilot said "sorry folks there has been a malfunction were heading back in" So obviously everyone moaned and stupid joined in by muttering under my breath "gees, il miss my surprise" (il explain 'the surprise later') unfortunately the big Rugby guy next to me said very loudly " ARE YOU POMM?"------------NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
So it began- 3 hours of torture where they said such things as "Thousands of people a year get Skin Cancer but at least were not a pomm. They were funny guys anyway and even walked me and my bag to the train platform.
Anyway onto my surprise: I was meeting a canadian guy that I met on my Alice Springs trip whi tried his hand at backpacking but couldnt really handle it so stayed in hotels. I managed to persuade him to let me stay for 2 nights- he agreed and said he even had a surprise planned for when I arrived. The hotel was four points Sheraton and was very swanky (but I guess anything is since I came from sharing a room with 6 girls) There were 30 tv channels, a great ensuite. He even let me order room service!
So just before we were due to go out for the surprise we handed me a bag which contained a scarf, saying Sydney Swans and a betting ticket. Basically, he was taking me to an AFL game in Australias biggest and national stadium. The seats would have cost him a fortune because I could see everything and we were in a really giood position. In Australia you can drink at the matches and they even close off the streets and have bands playing and lots of different food, not the typical burgers and hot dogs.
So we disappeared again and bought me a programme and a flag to wave. We had dinner aswell there. It was great. He was supporting the West Coast Eagles so there would be abit of competition between us. His team beat my swans but he let me keep the winning ticket because we couldnt find anyway to cash it before he flew to USA. Was such a great night and Aussies are such nice people!!
That was my first night in Sydney and I hadnt even seen the bridge or opera house but I didnt care. Now hes gone- im bored! Hopefully Il meet someone else soon!!
DAY 2 IN SYDNEY!!
Got up early and watched tv and had a shower in the ensuite!! Honestly the hotel is luxury. Then took a trip to the foyer and asked the Conceirge (YES- they have one) to book us onto a night climb at the Harbour Bridge. It cost $200 (about 100 pounds). We had to be at the climb at 5pm so we decided to get a train and bus to Bondi Beach and see if its really that great. By the time we got there we only had about 2 hours until we had to head back so I headed for the water and Jon hired a surf board! I couldnt really swim because the waves were too big and I kept getting knocked over and found myself lying on the beach drowned looking and onlookers laughing!
I think Bondi is popular on the east coast because there actually arent that many beaches. This one is popular because it suits surfers and has the reputation of being a clean, big beach. James would have hated it though- quite abit of seaweed!
Anyway, headed back to Sydney centre and checked in at the bridge climb! It takes an hour for them to get you ready, They kit you out in full jump suits, head lamps, coats, hearing equipment thats attached to your head. You also have a cord thats attached to your waiste which is then attached to the side of the bridge so that you can fall off. I wasnt nervous even though they try to make you. Our guide was very good and pointed out different sites to us. I was annoyed that we wearnt allowed to bring cameras so I had to buy the pictures of me. I bought two- they are both really funny. Will try and find a way for you to be able to see them!
The climb and talk took about 3 and half hours, We climbed 1360 steps, burnet between 100-200 calories and was wearing 2kg worth of equipment. Its 503 metres long, 49 metyres wide. It weighs 52,800 tonnes and includes 6 million rivets. Only 6 people died during construction! Was a great experience and sydney honmestly looked better than the picture above. Great night.
Just said goodbye to Jon and now im back in the hostels- this one is $33 a night- complete rip off. Im expecting gold sheets for that price.
Thinks ive learnt:
Im allergic to bed bugs- im currently on two sprays, one cream and tablets that knock me out. Last count: 70 bites!!
Travel insurnace has run out so need to extend it and also make sure it includes diving! Sop much to do, such little time!
Anyway, times running out. Speak soon everyone. Thailand is fast approaching!
Dad, il try and find the dialling code.
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