Showing posts with label NSW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NSW. Show all posts

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Sydney!

Sydney is the largest city in Australia. It has a population of 4.34 million and covers 12,145 km2. It is 3970km from Perth where I am studying. Sydney is the 15th most expensive city to live in the world. I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be, I actually liked Melbourne a lot more. Don't get me wrong, Sydney does have it's features, but it felt like a really big city, everything was very busy and the transit system is very dirty. Maybe I'm just being spoiled in Perth.

The first night I got a really bad taste of Sydney, some aboriginal was pretty rude along with the transit worker who couldn't speak loud enough because his chin was in the way. We met up with our flatmates and Anand's peeps and that improved the situation.

Website: http://www.sydney.com.au/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney

We stayed at the Wake Up! Sydney Central hostel. We got a 2 bed room for Anand and I to share, it was fine but I think I'm over the age of hosteling it. Even though we had our own room the atmosphere just wasn't for me, not to mention that I think the place was suffering from a mold problem or something like that. I guess you get what you pay for. Hotel next time!


The morning after we arrived we did the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb! It was pretty awesome. It was opened in 1932 and weighs 39,000 tons. It's span is 1,650 feet and the summit is 440 feet above mean sea level. It didn't feel that high but we were secured to the bridge and there were stairs. The view was amazing. We couldn't take cameras up, so this is the only photo we have - the rest is memories.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge at night from the Circular Quay. Notice the lights out? They've been like that for over a month.
Janina, Me and Anika checking out the Opera House.

The Opera House!

Our shadows on the Opera House!


A pool of water at Darling Harbour, the city in its reflection.
Darling Harbour!

View from Swetta's balcony in Bondi Junction. We stayed with her for the weekend, thank GOD. I had enough of that hostel by then.

Ribs at Hurricaines Grill & Bar in Darling Harbour. I highly recommend them.

Anika and I at Bungalo 8 where we tried to all go clubbing. Anand didn't get in. We weren't there long but it was fun!

Kangaroo! You eat it rare or else it's too chewy. Pretty tough meat. I would pick an Alberta Steak over it anyday! I Love Alberta Beef!

Slideshow of all photos...

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Sydney! Bondi Beach

I didn't get a chance to fight any sharks at the famous Bondi Beach, but it was a decent day. A bit windy, but what can you do. I can tell why it's so popular for surfing, as well as shark attacks..if I was a shark I would look for food there too.

About Bondi Beach
It is about one kilometre long and receives many visitors throughout the year. Surf Life Saving Australia has given different hazard ratings to Bondi Beach in 2004. While the northern end has been rated a gentle 4 (with 10 as the most hazardous), the southern side is rated as a 7 due to a famous rip current known as the "Backpackers' Express" because of its proximity to the bus stop, and the unwillingness of tourists to walk the length of the beach to safer swimming - such as us...

The south end of the beach is generally reserved for surfboard riding...oops. Yellow and red flags define safe swimming areas, and you are advised to swim between them.

There is an underwater shark net shared, during the summer months, with other beaches along the southern part of the coast.

On average, each year, Lifeguards rescue about 2,500 people and they even have their own television show in Australia!

Website: http://www.bondibeach.com/
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bondi_Beach,_New_South_Wales


Oh! I did read the sign...

Me with the beach in the background...I had to state the obvious.

Me with graffiti that resembles me..well atleast the colour of shirt I was wearing.

The south end of the beach with Icebergs hotel in the distance.

Slideshow of all photos...

Australian words for the week
BTF -> Between The Flags..is where the lifeguards will save you.