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Australia 2013: Ferrying around
posted : Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Packed up and checked out early in the morning. Okay not too early, it was about 9. Nope, not heading back to Sg yet though. Changing hotels!
Left my luggage at the lobby coz check in time at the other place wasn't until 2pm. This time round it was even more open than the one at Gold Coast but at least it's in full view of the receptionist. Though I don't suppose she is actually keeping an eye on it.
Was supposed to head towards city centre for a bit of sightseeing first but on my way to the train station I got distracted by a weekend market, so stopped by for a while and grabbed breakfast. Had things like flowers, groceries, nuts, couple of clothes stalls and various food stalls.
Open space at Pott's Point
Weekend market. Bought tacos for breakfast :/
Curiosity satisfied, so journey continues. Sightseeing! Thinking back I don't think I did Sydney justice during the walking tour that day coz I was just so irritated. Now that weather is more fantastic (though weather app still says "Smoke") I thought I would revisit some of the places. Started at Town Hall again, managed to get another one of the oh-so-useful map and pamphlet from the I'm Free people HAHAHAHA.
City Hall
We meet again, Queen V.
Cute!
Chinatown and Paddy's Market is next on my agenda. Not to be confused with Paddington's Market which I read is a more artsy place. Paddy's is just across the street from one of the Chinatown entrance gantries. Has lots of souvenirs, clothes, random items and one "real" market section. Souvenir hunting is such a must for me everywhere I go so this place actually appeals to me.
Typical gantries at overseas Chinatown-s.
Paddy's Market
Fresh produce section
By then I have struck off a couple of things from my agenda such as Sydney Fish Market coz running out of time fast. Bondi Beach was a big question mark too. Sydney Opera House is a must though. So it's back to Circular Quay again!
It was then I found out that the next day was to be SOH's big 40th anniversary where the theaters will be open to public as well! Lol research failed coz didn't pick this up. Decided that even though I am on a tight schedule the next day, I must be there. Fated bah. So hung around a bit and left knowing that I will be back soon.
brb.
After days of visiting Circular Quay finally had the chance (and time) to utilize the public transport mode which I hadn't tried out yet - the ferry! The most popular route is of course the route to Manly Beaches. A half an hour ferry ride, love the breeze and ended up going to Manly just because I wanted to experience the ferry ride. Didn't even have time to stay at Manly and boarded the next ferry back =.= Coz had to go back to Macleay to pick up my luggage and change hotels bah.
Setting off from Circular Quay
Fort Denison. They used to hang bodies there to scare away people who intend to invade Sydney.
Approaching Manly Wharf
到此一游
Sydney from another perspective
It's iconic, after all, so take more photos lor. :)
Somehow instead of taking train all the way, I opted to take a bus to Martin Place and train back to Kings Cross from there (can't remember why). Then the most dramatic episode of the trip happened. It's almost as if something needed to happen to spice up the trip again. A minute after alighting from the bus, I thought I left my phone on the bus! And without thinking and like a madman I turned back and chased down the bus which had left quite sometime ago and I had absolutely no chance of catching it. Lolol gave up after a while, took out my spare phone which I hadn't looked at it in days to try to call my phone or the bus company, but phone batt was flat. And the beauty is I couldn't even remember the bus service number! Hopeless. Was contemplating lending phone from a stranger..somehow I decided to check my bag (didn't do that earlier) and guess what, found my phone sitting innocently inside my backpack =.=!!! Didn't even know how to react at it. Was still breathless by the way.
Sort of zombied my way back to Macleay and picked up my luggage. Then it's back to the train station and head to North Sydney. Checked into North Sydney Harbourview Hotel. Haha idea behind this is to stay in an "atas" hotel for at least one night and I thought its a good idea to do it in Sydney. In fact I settled on this first before finding accommodation in Gold Coast/Sydney. Uh however due to time constraints I ended up not spending much time in the "expensive" room so idea kind of backfired.
View from my room. Must say I expected more.
Yay all for myself!
Was kind of stuck coz it's like too late to visit Bondi and too early for everything else. Last minute research turns up Darling Harbour and their Saturday fireworks. Perfect! Wasted no time heading over.
 
Quite a bit to do there actually. Madame Tussaud's here as well.
 
Yacht parties.
Kinda forgot Sydney played host to Olympics in 2000. My first time watching Olympics, too.
Dusk at Darling Harbour
A better view :)
Killed time in Harbourside Shopping Centre and contemplated walking over to ANZAC Bridge but it was way too far. Even with my poor distance estimation skills I managed to work that out. Settled on a nice spot and waited instead.
iPhone is not the right device for photos like this... Nonetheless, enjoyed the experience.
Raced to the ferry terminal to catch a ferry immediately after the fireworks. Coz checked the schedule earlier and realized that there's a one not long after fireworks end and the next one is in more than half an hour or sth. Ferried to Milsons Point and planned to walk back to the hotel. Coz, Milsons Point is also the train station before North Sydney and I distinctly remembered they are rather close to each other when I passed by them earlier. Turns out to be another half an hour walk, upslope and through an overly quiet and spooky neighborhood which had all the makings of a misfortune (or maybe I thought too much) but thankfully nothing happen.
Never gets old.
Approaching Milson's Point
I actually agree that this looks unwelcoming lor.
From another angle. Actually feels surreal to see such iconic landmarks in person. Glad that I made the trip
Back in the hotel and thought of ordering room service just for the fun of it but nothing looks even remotely interesting and decided not to waste money heh. 
Settled for drinks from 7-11 and glammed it up. LOL
Souvenir stash from Australia!
End of the day...and actually having mixed feelings about going back the next day.
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