Sydney bound

Leaving Melbourne late afternoon on Friday 26th September, I listened carefully to the pilot's description of what would be our approach into Sydney. From the combination of Norths, Souths, Easts and Wests, I didn't think we would see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge as we neared Sydney so I settled down to catch up on my journal. Although the schedule had said 1 hour 25 mins, the pilot informed us we'd be in Sydney in 56 minutes and coupled with the speed which we boarded certainly made flights seem like bus journey here. (The flight was about a third of the price of a bus ticket and the bus would've taken around 11 hours!) In no time at all,  suburbia was filling the window along with a beautiful sunset so I captured a few momentos if the Sydney skyline. 

Suddenly, lo and behold, I glimpsed the pointed Opera House and scanning left I picked out the arching Harbour Bridge. Excited doesn't even come close as this has to be one of the most iconic views to fly in to and I had a 50/50 chance of being on the correct side of the plane. 

I was soon back in central Sydney having booked my first night's accommodation with my 'I'll sort it out when I get there' approach to the following nights. This attitude hadn't failed me yet but there's a first time for everything. The hostel (which I'll go into more detail about later) was fully booked for the next two nights as were the other local, reputable hostels. After a little walk round to investigate my options as well as grab some dinner, I returned to the hostel to at least book a week starting on Monday, and they sorted me out with 2 nights at the Collaroy YHA. Located on Sydney's Northern Beaches, I thought it would at least be chance to see another part of the city and I was planning on applying for a job there anyway. 

The next day, Saturday 27th September, was filled with various tasks - applying for jobs, food shopping etc - before catching the bus up to Collaroy. Alighting the bus to the right of this junction, I turned the corner and prayed the hostel wasn't up the hill. Luckily it was just next door to the pizzeria with the red canopy so I didn't have to climb the hill - for now at least!

I had a few decisions to make on how I was going to fill the next day but it began with a no brainer - the beach! As it was a Sunday (28th September) it was full of families enjoying the weather and there was a particularly impressive party going on in the picnic area. I've discovered since I've been here that Aussies (including adopted Aussies) know how to hold an outdoor gathering. Table cloths for the picnic benches, a full on buffet spread, assorted chairs as well as either a cricket match or footie throw about. The public areas are set up for it too with hardcore barbecues to cook food on. Speaking of facilities I've also been impressed with the toilets and showers near the lagoons in Airlie Beach and Cairns too. 

Wandering along the sea front I found some large steps created for seating built into the cliff face and then realised they were created to face this free outdoor swimming pool. What a place to exercise with the sea lapping in!

A couple more pictures to fully set the scene and yes, there was a second beach beyond the pool with paracenders overhead. 

Next I'd decided to find the school which I'd applied for a job at. Google maps showed a straightforward route with a 26 minute time estimate. The first street I needed to take was parallel to the street the hostel was in (with the steep hill) but the hill on this street was probably three times the length. It was daunting! No joke, I had to stop about 10 times on the way up and my legs felt like they'd snap and my lungs felt ready to explode. My allotted 26 minutes had elapsed by the time I'd reached the top and I was only halfway through the route but the view made up for it!

I made it to the school and completed my afternoon with a trip to Werringah Mall which I thought held a record for it's size but I can't find reference to it any more. 

At last, on Monday 29th September, I managed to return to central Sydney for a decent period of time. Having spent time in Collaroy I was aware that each location had it's pros and cons but now had to let fate take its course. The next week was filled with episodes of applying for jobs (20 applied for online and 10 CVs handed to cafes to date) interspersed with fun filled jaunts to keep my time here interesting. 

Back in June/July, when I was at a loose end, I often found myself at Circular Quay and this magnetism struck again very early during my return. I don't think the majestic view of the Opera House across the water ever goes old so I gazed across for quite a while. 

Late on Tuesday (30th September) I retraced my steps of the walking tour I'd taken back in July, through Hyde Park, past St Mary's Cathedral and into the Botanical Gardens where one the sculptures facing the art gallery had been adorned rather comically. 

Walking along the bank of Woolloomooloo Bay I found another outdoor pool overhanging the water, this one a little classier than Collaroy's but probably costs a fortune to swim in!

The sun was steadily going down, creating an amazing light on the industrial past of the area. 

Turning the corner near Mrs Maquaries Point, the stunning view hit me once more. My timing couldn't have been any more perfect as I caught the sun diminishing behind the city's skyline, creating sensational lighting behind the legendary landmarks. 

Leaving the bright lights of Luna Park behind me, I continued round Farm Cove to catch the double decker train from Circular Quay back to Central Statin. 

Keen not to find myself back in Circular Quay, on Wednesday (1st October) my excursion took me through bustling China Town to Darling Harbour and back past the ornate Chinese Garden of Friendship. 

The daytime of Thursday 2nd October was nothing special (remember I said I was desperately applying for jobs too!) however the evening more than made up for it. I'd googled Sydney choirs and found Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir which had my name written all over it! Handing all my trust over to Google maps again (luckily giant hills excluded this time), I followed the route to the rehearsal venue. If ever there's a way to embarrass yourself immediately, it's not being able to open the door. I'd arrived just before 6:45pm as suggested so I could meet various people before the 7pm prompt start. I climbed the few steps in front of the building and pulled on the door handle with no luck. I could see people inside through the letterbox but as I was a little early I decided to wait for someone else to arrive to follow in. 'Ah, hopefully somebody to let me in!' I commented cheerfully as another lady made her way up the steps. 'The door seems to be locked,' I explained. Her surprised response let me know that wasn't usual. She pushed the door and we were in right away. Why hadn't I thought of pushing as well as pulling!  Anyway, after several introductions, signing in and with a visitors music pack under my arm the rehearsal soon started and I was sitting amongst an incredibly friendly bunch of singers practising Christmas songs!  The evening flew by and it finished with a couple of Koppabergs in a bar. Result!

So I'm yet to tell you about my accomodation in Sydney. I chose Railway Square YHA over Sydney Central YHA because it was cheaper and just across the road so no location difference. The exciting part about this hostel is that 12 of the rooms (four 8-bed dorms and eight 4-bed dorms) are housed in railway carriages actually on Platform 1 of Central Station. There are glass partitions keeping the general public from entering the hostel but through the windows of my 8-bed dorm we could watch the trains, as well as passengers, coming and going (and hear the announcements as we were lying in bed). 

Now the reason I've left this description until now is that on the evening of Friday 3rd October, I heard the huffing and puffing of a steam engine entering the station. Peeking through the blind I realised it was pulling onto the platform right next to our dorm so I raced outside and snapped through the gap in the glass. 

Early (7am) on Saturday (4th October) there was a tremendous sound of steam coming from the platform once again and I realised the steam engine had returned. The noise was immense and I honestly thought the pressure might blow the wall in! The engine sat on the platform for around an hour while passengers boarded the holiday special to Newcastle (it's a public holiday on Monday). 

There was a double treat on platform 1 today as the Indian Pacific was also scheduled to depart for Perth. Can you believe the journey takes 3 days to complete?! No wonder there are only 2 departures per week!

This morning was filled with CV distribution round the cafés of Glebe...

...and on the way back to the hostel I noticed this eye-catching,Eco building. 

This afternoon I visited the chocolate festival in The Rocks and thoroughly enjoyed the Hot Potato band. Their interaction with the audience was second to none with all sorts of people dancing, jumping and clapping along to their jazzy takes on a variety of songs. 

Gramaphone Man also entertained the crowds but my afternoon out was cut short when a bird decided to sh*t on me - not pleasant but perhaps the luck will bring news of a job!

This evening I noticed the onset of what I call a huffy puffy mood. I seemed to be perfecting the art of sighing which, for me, is the sign of being fed up and bored. This was a sign that I needed to get out of the hostel and be entertained. Luckily I remembered there are free fireworks in Darling Harbour every Saturday night. When I arrived I also remembered there's a South American film festival happening so caught some of a cool animated, Uraguain version of Robinson Crusoe! Then, to top the evening off I enjoyed, from afar, some samba drummers and dancers in a Brazillian restaurant. That lot certainly swept away the huffy puffy mood. 

Now I must sleep as our clocks go forward an hour tonight meaning I loose an hour! G'night. 

To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world. – Freya Stark