A Sydney Interlude
It’s been a while since I sat down to write and it feels good to stretch the proverbial muscles again. Its been a busy old time of it here in New South Wales but man alive am I happy.
A new Sydney, A new Calum
Having been to Sydney to before I had an idea in my head of what to expect, but let me tell you that the city I have just spent time was completely different to the one which I visited 6 years ago. Not only was the city different but I am to, both are ‘new’ in a unique way, and its the 2nd time in the space of a year that I have had this kind of reflection on my self.
When I visited Sydney at 20 I was someone who was bit lost, I had a great job but hadn’t quiet found my feet yet with adult life. Id spent the vast majority of the tale end of my teens in my own company, something which would continue for a few years to come after as well.
Reflecting on this it makes me see how happy I am now in my mid twenties, how far I have come in myself, the great friends I have and how integral my family are now and were during that time. I couldn’t begin to list everyone who makes up me as a person but I’m sure if you’re reading this you’ll know. Thank you.
Sydney is much the same, the last time I was here it was the throws of winter and the city was one big building site. Visiting during the warmth of spring makes the place shine and really shows how different it is 6 years on.
Seeing the sites
I spent a fair old whack of time doing what I do best, plodding around and seeing the city on foot. I find that this lets you breathe a city rather than just seeing it.
I was situated in a great little hostel in the centre of town, right off Chinatown. This meant it was only a 30 minute walk to Circular Quay, 10 minutes from the Queen Victoria Building and 20 minutes from the Botanical gardens. This allowed me to see Sydney’s CBD which I enjoyed as Sydney has some of the most varied architecture I can remember seeing in 1 city. I really enjoyed wandering the streets taking in the vast array of building styles which clearly spanned 3 centuries.
I was fortunate enough to be gifted the Harbour Bridge Climb as an early Christmas present and its shot up to the top of the list of the coolest things I've ever done. It was a truly amazing experience. The weather was fair, and there was only a slight breeze which was a win! Santi our guide was cracking and really made a connection with me which was super cool of him. We were even treated to early phases of a sunset which was amazing. If you ever get a chance to do it, grab it with both hands!
A mates brunch date, I’d planned to head back to the cafe that me and Rory had visited in 2018. The food from memory was amazing and the coffee good to, so this seemed liked the perfect time to go. Alice, who I’d met in Byron, took me up on the offer and it was lovely to see her again, it was like old friends catching up even after only a short time. What was even better was that the cafe was just as me and Rory had remembered. If you’re ever looking for a place in Sydney for a nice breakfast, brunch or lunch head to Cafe Oratnek. Alice, I hope the first few weeks have good smoothly and hopefully our paths will cross again soon.
One of the mornings I decided to head out to Bondi on foot, the weather seemed like it’d be perfect to head out on foot, not sunny, but no rain either. So a 2 and bit hour walk out of town got me out there and after a brief stop for a cappuccino I’d made out to the most famous beach in the world… shame there was no sun. I sat and read my book, enjoyed the view and then hatched a plan to catch the ferry back to Circular Quay… As I walked along the front, I decided to grab some food, before heading off. After that I cracked on heading towards to ferry which was about 40 minutes away on foot, as I wandered through the suburbs of Bondi I hear something… was that part of the audiobook or was that what I think it was, pops earphone out, yep that was definitely thunder, shit, so I start to pick up the pace as these big thick rain drops start to fall. I dart into a cafe as the heavens open… acht well I guess ill just have to have another coffee, thats a real shame (not). I ended up catching the local bus and then then train back into town. Some people would be hacked off that it’d rained but to be honest I enjoyed sitting in a cafe watching the weather for a while, it was rather relaxing.
The next again day the weather wasn’t amazing so I decided that I’d spend a day heading to the Museum of Contemporary Art, after much wandering around I found a door in and then spent 10 minutes standing very confused to until someone appeared… they informed that the gallery was in fact closed on Tuesdays and that i’d found my way into the offices. It was at this point I thought maybe I’ll just head out to Manly and have a wander around out that way. So after a short ferry ride I was stood on the famous edge Manly Beach… only it was closed due to pollution, thanks human race, not that it was really a day for paddling or sunbathing but thats not the point is it. So I had a wander about and had a look in the shops before heading back to the ferry, which was a whole lot more rough on the way back than the way there. Once I was back I decided that I was gonna head out and grab some food, and extended the offer to the lovely Lydia who was also staying at the hostel, and while the food wasn’t to both our tastes I hope the company was enjoyed by her as much as I did. It was great evening of just chatting and laughing at any old nonsense. The download should about be finished by the next time I see you Lydia.
I managed to get a catch up with Chloe and Charlie, who I also met in Byron, sorry George you were missing in action. It was lovely get a coffee in and I hope that we meet again soon. After which I made it to the MCA, and thoroughly enjoyed the paid exhibit they had on from photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto. It gave me lots of food for thought for my own photography.
One hell of a day trip
Strap in people this is a goodin and let me start by saying that this was a truly great day and I’m super glad to have had it pan out the way that it did.
I decided that I wanted to head top the Blue Mountains and it looked like a day trip would be the best way to do this, so thats what I did for my last day in Sydney.
A lot of these trips are very similar in what they offer, but the one I selected seemed to have that little bit extra that I was looking for. The itinerary included a stop off at a wildlife park, my least favourite part of the day to be truthful (it was a tourist trap and I really felt for the animals, and I learned where my moral line is when it comes to ‘zoos’), Lincoln Point, Echo Point (Three Sisters), Scenic View & a town called Leura.
Lincoln Point was amazing and offered amazing and ‘raw’ views of the landscapes and while I didn’t get any pictures of me with my legs hanging off I did get some other cracking pictures which I love.
Echo Point was definitely the busiest stop of the day but there was a few points where I got a chance to enjoy the view of the 3 sisters and they were impressive like. It was cool to see them and the surrounding area.
The views offered from Scenic View were exactly that and they were great, the funicular railway was really impressive and was super fun. The chance to walk around the rainforest and look up through the trees at the surrounding mountains was amazing and something I didn’t expect to have the opportunity to do so that was a lovely bonus.
The town of Leura was lovely and it was nice to walk around there before heading back to Sydney.
I was given the option to get dropped off at the olympic park and ride the ferry to Circular Quay, something the that the others on the bus were doing and let me tell you it was well worth it. I got to enjoy Sydney being bathed in a glorious sunset (even if it was rather chilly on the ferry).
Now I have yet to mention what really made this day trip memorable… well as I’m waiting to be picked up I’m stood with an Asian couple and another Asian girl *FORESHADOWING*. I didn’t think much of it as its a day trip and anyone can book the same one I have… the minibus pulls up and the tour guide hops out and opens the door and then it quickly becomes apparent that not only am I the only white person on the bus, I am the only English first speaker on the tour… oh boy. It was a Chinese tour group that I had been booked on with. The guide was lovely and got everyone to say hello to me… it was like being the new kid at school, “everyone say hi to Calum” was the exact line and to be fair the couple next to me spoke to me a fair bit on our drive up to Lincoln Point. As the day went on the rest of the group warmed up to me and by the time we made it to Leura we were all laughing at the situation and making jokes. They were super good and made time for me which was really nice.
I wouldn’t change the trip one bit!
Reflecting on Sydney and Family time
Reflecting on my time in Sydney as I travelled southwards I had a massive smile on my face, I really did have a cracking time and its a city I hope to visit more in the future!
The next few weeks are about chilling out and spending time with my cousin and his son, something I’ve already spent a week doing.
I’m enjoying the view, the peace and quiet and not having to wear earplugs for a few weeks before heading to Melbourne. I’m already over halfway through my time in Australia and while I had a little bump I’m left with a massive smile on my face thinking about my time so far here.
Toddy
Current Locale - 🇦🇺
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