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Don't look back into the sun: Kings Cross/ Circular Monday 03.11
After checking out of my hostel, fresh as a daisy at 9am, I skipped over to the DOUBLE DECKER tube (as yet Unamed) backpack in tow heading to cheaper, alternative hostel, number 2, ten minutes up the road.
Kings Cross is a completely different world to Central, reminiscent of Soho (London). Seedy sex shops, tobacconists, gambling and liqueur stores dominate the Main Street but side streets compromise of artisan bakeries, boutiques and specialist services (of the non- seedy variety) dispersed between the tiny independent restaurants. I loved it.
My pre- confirmed hostel 'Chilli Blu' ballsed up. I wasn't listed. They were fully booked. No dramas.
Front desk dude accepted this (more laid back than me or it happens frequently?) phoned his 'mate' around the corner and requested that 'he have me for the night' (rah backpacker Fodder!). Front desk dude advised I charm the next hostel and negotiate a cheaper rate . I do love a barter.
After a standard Aussie faff: issuing me with a full refund to then take the same payment for the following 3 days. I headed to charm his 'mate' at the Jolly Swagger hostel.
Exploring the local area,
I found a niche little joint; situated between a 'gentlemans club' (the 'gentleman' tout had no teeth and leather skin) and a liqueur store, doing $5 breakfasts (smashed avocado and poached eggs). The table along was quickly occupied by a transgender, Thai hooker with visible track marks down her left harm and notable bruising to face and arms. Her undercover pimp popped over to say hi to her and I was party to a delightful conversation between her and the next client over my brunch.
Back in tourist mode, I headed over to the train station in search of a boat! I purchased a weekly £40 ferry, bus, tube, train pass which has been a lifeline and saved over £200 absolute steal- screw arranged tours!
Having secured this unlimited transport pass I decided to walk...
It was hot and there's nothing finer than getting lost. Taking a leisurely stroll I gandered around Market city (think crystal peaks) passed through China Town (best I've encountered) and worked me way through the stunning Oriental gardens to the Wharf.
Naturally I became overly excited about catching a ferry (boat + water what's not to love) and set off to see Sydney via the sea.
Top tourist attractions viewed:
Harbour bridge: I had to have this confirmed as I do have a habit of making things up. Pretty spectacular as far as (suspension?) bridges go - a feat of engineering.
Luna park: scariest place on earth, surely dedicated to those R.L Steine books you read as a kid. what- nightmares-are- made- of fairground.
Sydney Opera house:
The outside was simply stunning, sun beaming off the fans, appears to float on the water, dreamy.... The orchestral fiends propaganda has blatantly has a field day with me! However the inside was Drab. Dowdy. Disappointing.
Following my Sydney by free boat tour and opera house idolisation I spent the remainder of my afternoon
in the outside Opera bar (naturally) Mingling with the Aussie dah-lings and more well to do tourists (quaffing Cava at 2pm).
No sooner had I bedded down with my kindle on the opera wall to daydream and burn an Aussie La di da shuffled over for a conflab; together we spent the next two hours reading akin and discussing literature, ballet and the opera. (And you said I wouldn't fit in Fulwood, Lido).
After my day of wannabe toffyness, I headed back to my make-do hostel in seedy down town Sydney (hey I'm flexible)
In an effort to develop my backpacker stripes I did not eat out and instead went for the home cooked meal option... Epic fail. Salmon and rice $12 may as well have eaten out. I'm sure I'll be on the $3 pasta and sauce eventually but right now Holiday mode is still dominating.
My bartered, steal of a room for the night was a quaint four bed effort; with a Juliette balcony overlooking the street (posh side not seedy). I spent the remainder of my evening with my 1 Italian roomie (named After the land of the free , 24, graphic designer, recent break up, wants to be in London) and watching Big Bang theory with some Preston boys....Literally gone back 5 years to Uni- bring on the Mario cart.
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Tracy Leslie Loving the blog x