The last half day in Sydney- I wanted to make the most of it. Except, I couldn't wake up earlier than 8am *sigh*. Must have been tired from all the walking! The funny thing with humans: we have the ability to complain about everything. Office job? Too much sitting. Non-office job? No sitting. Work? Want to go on vacation. Tired from vacation? Want to go home. Such odd creatures to please! But it's true, one can become "tiresome" of vacation. It's the constant eagerness to make the most out of ur time here/there/wherever that u literally burn out. Like everything in life, balance is key!
So yes, as I was saying, I didn't really have much of a plan today, n this was how the hop-on hop-off bus came in real handy. Just as I exited the hotel after breakfast, I saw a red double-decker stopping at the light, so I quickly ran over, knocked on the door, n hopped on. Please note that this is a dangerous action n should not be attempted by the ill-fit to run zig-zaggidly between cars to reach a bus. Can't say I'm trained but it happens from time to time, lol. But unfortunately, the bus was actually not heading in the direction I thought it were because there was a loop just ahead, so I ended up covering another part of the city that I hadn't previously. I also managed to get decent picture of the famous coca-cola sign at kings cross (actually, it used to be called queens cross but the next reigning monarch- can't remember which one- found it unfitting because it challenged his manlihood- n forever changed it to kings cross). If ur looking for a place to party out Patong Beach, Phuket-style, here's the place to be. LOL! That reminds me of this funny simile (not sure if that the right term to use in terms of english literacy) used on the harbour guards. They were also called pills because they control the berths at the harbour!
As we headed towards Circular Quay, I thought since I still had time, I should drop by the pylon lookout point n do the jetboating that I missed yesterday due to the random Harry Potter exhibition visit. But here's where I ate my words: I managed to get lost even on the bus loop n got off the wrong stop right under the bridge. Apparently, both of those events were at the next stop. Hai, me. Oh wells, the view was a break from below as the sun peeped in n out of the clouds. Quite relaxing as there was no one around, so I started singing while I waited for the next bus. I know what ur thinking: it's just one stop, so why not walk over? Hm, I would've but even the HP chocolate frogs didn't calm the cramps. Plus, it was actually a pretty cool place to take pictures! Oh! n it was then that I found out even trains were traveling across the bridge! I didn't know that. See, there's always a positive side to something, eh?!
Finally, on n off at The Rocks, I found the dock for jetboating, but because I burned some time getting off the wrong stop, I missed the 12pm departure. Since the next one isn't until 3pm, I gave up on jetboating this time. But that would only mean, there'll be a next time :) Anyway, with still some time to kill before heading back n postcards to write, I took a seat by the jetties cafe, finished the last few with a good old cup of hot coco. It was rather odd though. When I took a sip from the cup, it was just milk. Then, I realized, u need to add your own dose of the chocolate syrup that was right behind the cup. LOL- I thought they were just being real considerate by providing more chocolate for the addicted. No worries though, still tasted awesome! Flash forward: mailed off the postcards, packed n checked out, boarded n disembarked, n finally at the airport. Surprisingly, everything went rather smoothly...up until I reached, u guessed it, Singapore Airport.
Now, it's probably not enough to say that the airport hates me. Rewind: as I had a night booked at the transit hotel due to a late arrival n an early flight, I should've remained inside without crossing immigration. But, lol, somehow, my luggage had been checked out instead of being kept in security zone for my next flight. Of course I couldn't just leave my luggage, so I passed immigration just to find my luggage. Except, now I can't check into my transit hotel because it can only be accessed BEFORE immigration check point. Great. Now, I'm stuck outside with no place to stay for the night. So duh, I went to find customer service for help. Seriously, how can ground staff be so unknowledgeable about the airport procedures? Okay, maybe I should explain a little. Rewind some more. When I checked-in at Sydney airport, the lady- knowing I had a night over at transit hotel- somehow decided to check-out my luggage even after I specifically stated that I couldn't exit immigration. She simply told me that she can't control another airport's procedures from here, so I'll have to contact their ground staff when I arrive. So, I thought nothing more n did as told when I arrived. Except, all the ground staff told me was that the only way to pick up my luggage was to pass immigration. O...kay. So I followed as told. Why did I not think this through?! When I spoke to the customer service, they told me that I should've asked the ground staff to pull my luggage out of the bunch for safe keeping until tomorrow. Well, that wasn't what I was told!!! Ahhh *about to flip out* But anyways, it all worked out, breaking a few airport safety protocols. But seriously, do I look, in any way, a threat to national security? I'm Canadian for heaven sakes! *peace sign*. So yes, I stayed the night at the transit hotel as planned n boarded my flight home eventually. The rest of the way was much easier to handle, that's for sure. Side note: it might've been a good thing that my luggage got checked-out, or else I wouldn't have been able to grab my change of clothes or toiletries for the night. It worked out my way, somewhat.
Even though I had to head into the office about 2 hours after I landed, what needs to be done, needs to be done! So, right back to work! It's been a long 4D3N in Sydney, n I must say, I may not have liked the place when I first got there, but it did start to grow on me a little. Especially when mr.sunshine came out more often, it really made the stay even more enjoyable. In many ways, it reminded me of Vancouver, with the embracing of nature n city life, without losing its historical values. So, did Sydney impress? Lol, yes it did.
P.S. But if I had to choose between Sydney n Queenstown for a second visit? Hm, I will most likely go with Queenstown. Then again, if Sydney's on the way anyway, why not both?