Dear pipsqueaks,
The morning was an early one, having to wake up around 6:20am to finish a quick breakfast n be waiting at marriot for the Sydney bus tour pick up at 7:10am. Surprisingly, it wasn't as painful as I had imagined, but possibly because, like a good girl, I was in bed by 10:30pm! Don't get me wrong, there are quite a few areas to go (ex. Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Circle Quay etc.) but for a fact that the girl's dorm shower was just so inconveniently set up, I took longer than usual to take showers. Staying in a dorm, it's just a matter of being considerate of others. So yes, I called early nights during my 3 sleeps in Sydney.
As I've always been a punctual person- simply because I don't like to wait for others, so I don't make them wait for me- I was standing outside marriot by 7:05. The bus that came to pick us up wasn't actually the tour bus, but rather, these busses pick up all the tour attendees from all over the hotels n meet at The Star casino where the Grayline headquarters are. After we've all split up n got into the right tour busses, our tour begins! That's actually a better idea than to have one bus picking up all tourists per particular tour because that'll mean some busses will have to go to the same hotels for pickups, n that's just silly! With their system, u'd only have to get a few busses to do area pickups n we'll all be on our jolly way sooner than u can say "koala!"
The morning was an early one, having to wake up around 6:20am to finish a quick breakfast n be waiting at marriot for the Sydney bus tour pick up at 7:10am. Surprisingly, it wasn't as painful as I had imagined, but possibly because, like a good girl, I was in bed by 10:30pm! Don't get me wrong, there are quite a few areas to go (ex. Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Circle Quay etc.) but for a fact that the girl's dorm shower was just so inconveniently set up, I took longer than usual to take showers. Staying in a dorm, it's just a matter of being considerate of others. So yes, I called early nights during my 3 sleeps in Sydney.
As I've always been a punctual person- simply because I don't like to wait for others, so I don't make them wait for me- I was standing outside marriot by 7:05. The bus that came to pick us up wasn't actually the tour bus, but rather, these busses pick up all the tour attendees from all over the hotels n meet at The Star casino where the Grayline headquarters are. After we've all split up n got into the right tour busses, our tour begins! That's actually a better idea than to have one bus picking up all tourists per particular tour because that'll mean some busses will have to go to the same hotels for pickups, n that's just silly! With their system, u'd only have to get a few busses to do area pickups n we'll all be on our jolly way sooner than u can say "koala!"
(Mrs.Macquarie's Chair- where everyone gathers for fireworks!)
Oh oh oh! This is one thing about going on tours: u find out what's happening around town that u'd have otherwise had no idea. To my luck, HP exhibition was in town!!! Sydney's it's only stop in Australia n the fact that I actually knew how to get there, is a definite go for me! So after the tour ended, the tourguide/driver did me a favour by dropping me off near the PowerHouseMuseum where the exhibition was! I was too excited to speak words!!! But unfortunately, no photos allowed (sorry, can't share the happiness). Nonetheless, the collection was awesome, filled with props (nimbus 2000 n harry n ron's dorm beds) n costumes (which actually was way smaller than I had expected). I'm so glad I got the audio with it- a definite recommendation- because u get to hear many of the brilliant minds speak of how they brought the book to life. P.S. Now I finally understand why Snape never had a change of clothing- because they couldn't come up with anything better! But then again, Snape would look creepy n scary in anything anyways. Just fantabulously BRILLIANT! *thumbs up*
(u recognize this car?!?!)
Then, I hopped back onto the Sydney hop-on hop-off bus. One good thing about this was that it had a stop at almost, if not all, must visit places. So u can literally spend the whole day on the bus loop! Quite a convenience, except it only goes one-way n had the last bus around 7:30. A little early considering sunset or night rides would be just as beautiful. Regardless, it made things a lot easier for people like me with horrible directions! (Well, I can't really go wrong with a set-route bus...or can I?! Lol, spoke too early for that, of course). Another pro to riding these buses: they have a recording that speaks about the city while we drive by points of interests, some of which were actually missed or too quickly carried over by the earlier grayline bus tour. Maybe because it's an open-top doube-decker bus that it's allowed to go twice as slow so we got time to snap some pictures. I gotta say though, the weather seemed to have cleared out throughout the week. The odd thing too, that every time I hop on a double-decker, mr.sunshine comes out for a visit! U can tell even he's trying to help Sydney gain some points here, lol. Overall, a spectacular way to see the city without walking too too much. Afterall, u can hop off if u really want to explore the stop, which was exactly what I did.
Figured I had some time, I should really go see a platypus at the aquarium. Boasting to house many unusual creatures of the sea, I'd be silly to miss it as my i-venture card covered the entry fee anyways. To my surprise, it was a quick way to have fun. Although none of us could spot the platypus, I did get to see the origins of the mermaid: dudongs!! So adorably chubbilicious! Amazing how huge it is even though it only eats lettuce...every 15mins! And the penguins were just the cutest things ever! I don't believe I've seen such tiny ones (can't remember the breed), but yes, as always I'm tempted to take one home...or a few! Reminded me of the penguin story that my ex told me, how once a couple chooses each other, no matter how far parted for any reason, they'll find their way back together. How sweet, even if it might be completely false. I did think about asking the staff, but nah, some questions are better left unanswered- so I can keep believing in them.
(aren't they just soooooooooooooo cute?! *hugs*)
(dudong: me want some lettuce!)
Next stop was near Martin Place street (kinda feels like the pedestrian area on robson- super busy but somehow still gave off a very authentic feeling despite being spot on centre in the city). I think if I had to pick a place that stood out for me the most in Sydney, it'll either have to be sitting in the concert hall of Sydney Opera House or just on a bench on this peculiar street. Maybe it was the Victorian-time buildings, the tall-standing trees, n the light breeze, somehow was able to take me to a different place in my mind. What a brilliant feeling to have while wandering the streets of Sydney. The next building just took my breath away: Queen Victoria Building. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend the tour session, so I don't really know too much about the place, except for the fact that it was built in 1898 as a monument to the reigning monarch. Of course, built for a queen, u can imagine the beauty in design n detail it would have to be. From the "stunning architecture n intricate tiled floors", no wonder many had deemed this building to be one of the most, if not the most, beautiful shopping mall in the world.
(does feel like a different place somehow...)
Being me, I had to have a cup of hot chocolate to soak in all this fantabulocity. So, the search for a Mas Brenner chocolate bar (strongly suggested by my dear friend Tammy) began. After circling the area for what seemed like almost a hour, I find the place not on the lower floor as stated on its website, but rather on the 6th floor of the SkyTower building! Nonetheless, for a good cup of hot chocolate, I'd be willing to do almost anything, n well worth it. Chocolate with crunchy balls- just fantastic *fingers pointing together for flying a kiss in the air like the italians do* (there's probably a term for this gesture but I don't know it, so don't pick on me!) But yes, u can tell how much I love good chocolates by my tolerance for pain n headache just to find the damn place, lol!
(Yes, I did. I found mr. Max Brenner!!!)
(hmmm chocolate *drool*)
By then, it was past the last scheduled bus, so I decided to walk back as it wasn't that far on the map. Dehydrated, I headed into woolworths (australian's superstore) to grab a bottle of water n an apple because I miss having my daily apple/banana!- u could say traveling made me eat less consciouslly than I normally would, but then again, I AM on vacation, so whatever's convenient or in favour for is all a go for me! Turned out, they were doing photo prints for 10cents promotion! That's just insane because even in Vancouver, it was 15cents at Costco. Don't even talk about printing photos in Malaysia. Apparently, it's like a rareity that people would print photos, so they're more than a dollar CAD just to print 1! Being a scrapbooker, that's just highway robbery. But it's all good, I have my ways! I can always get them done in Taiwan or Vancouver the next times I'm there. Since I'm already here with all my photos, I got them all printed within half an hour (including my "Singapore Flying Solo", "Chilling in Kuching", n this time's Queenstown n Sydney (names to be spiced-up when it comes to me!) for about AUD20! *excited*
The night had already fallen by the time I stepped out, n u could see the town hall christmas lights gather the people about. I grabbed a seat for just a few moments to enjoy the true atmosphere of christmas- it's not quite the same in Asia if u know what I mean. Then, it was time for me to head back as it had been a long but well-spent day. Feeling quite accomplished actually! U could say this day was what I had been waiting for: pure enjoyment. Lights out one last time in Sydney! Jessy out.