sin to syd!

2nd Aug 2013 - Friday. after arriving in sydney international airport at 11am, we went down to board the airport train to the city. we also bought 7-day passes and paid almost AUD 50 each. the trip to the hostel is a mere 15min train ride. i was amazed at the double deck type trains in sydney and the train station is not bad at all compared to the dark and eerie new york subway.

arrival in Sydney

The nearest station to our backpacker hostel is Central, so we alighted and upon exit, the cool Australian breeze greeted us at around 15 degrees C. 

Bounce hotel is just a few blocks away, so getting there was not a huge problem.

As soon we paid up and took our card keys, we went to the 2nd floor through the card authorized lift which allows you to go to your intended floor using your personal card for security purposes.

The room we've booked was good for 6 persons, so we got two more roommates to expect. 

we settled down a bit then later headed out to have a late lunch in the city.

the train brought us to circular quay, where most of the ferries to the neighboring islands dock and also where the famous sydney opera house sits by.

our first meal was bought at a small sandwich shop and decided to eat it out just near the wharf facing the water.

just as we were enjoying our sammies and chips, an evil birdie sneaked behind my back and swamped on the piece of meat tucked on the bun i was holding!

surprised, i lost hold of it and off it fell to the pavement. all the other birds swarmed, and i was under seige! 

there i met what then became my mortal enemy of the trip - birds!!!

a stone walk away was the sydney opera house, and on the way there i unexpectedly saw Ritchie, an old friend amidst the moving crowd. what a surprise!

unexpectedly met Ritchie!

after the short trip we boarded the 45min trip to manly beach. we chose to sit outside the ferry deck, and got out assess damn frozen.

upon reaching manly wharf it was already getting dark. hurriedly went to the beach to see the waves and strolled around the already half closed shop houses.

around 7pm dined at a mexican resto just nearby the pier and went back to mainland sydney by 8pm.

the rest of the evening we spent strolling around the half awake city area and went back to Bounce hostel to prep up for the next day's flight to melbourne.

first austral...err mexican dinner in oz!

*** still got jet lagged and culture shocked by the slow pacing of ... everything!***

- sydney, australia 02 aug 2013