First Days in Sydney

Shooting Pool

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Thursday, 2 January 2014

Our flight from Beijing to Sydney left in the evening and we landed early morning in Australia met at the airport by the lovely Moores who put us up and helped us get oriented to our new situation. Very grateful for their care and hospitality! After picking us up at the airport and getting our gear unloaded they took us for a drive to Palm Beach (the one in Sydney, not California) where we indulged in some fish and chips (and shrimp and scallops!) then a quick swim. Carlen enjoyed playing in the waves and dodging the kelp. We had an early night after all our travels and experiences.

Friday, 3 January 2014

We planned a short first time left-hand-drive to the train station and venture to Sydney Harbour. First stop was the shopping centre to get the mobile phone sorted and had a bite to eat. Lots of fresh food shops with a huge variety of seafood. With all the choices we ended up having a McDonalds breakfast – couldn’t resist having the Aussie Brekkie Roll.

Felt confident enough to drive right in to the Harbour and eventually found a parkade but the ticket gate and prices weren’t posted until you wound your way into the building a fair bit. We were shocked to see the rates were $15 for the first 30 minutes and scaled up from there. Our planned 3 hour stay would cost $70 in parking alone. We thought about backing out but another vehicle had pulled up behind us so we sucked it up and committed to the parking.

Making our way out it was a thrill to see the bridge and glimpse the Opera House in real life rather than in photos or video. The docked cruise ship, crowds of people, water, boats, birds, the humid warm air, and the hot hot sun assured us we were well and truly feet-on-the-ground in Australia. The only think nagging at us was the parking bill accumulating with every passing second. We were determined not to let it hinder our experience.

First stop was the Sydney Aquarium. Along the way we stopped to listen to someone playing the didgeridoo.  At the Aquarium we stood in line for about $22.50… I mean 45 minutes. We decided to purchase an annual pass which also gives us access to other attractions in Australia. The Aquarium is a great space with lots to see though it was quite crowded when we went and was a little frustrating in some of the smaller exhibit spaces. Nevertheless, we enjoyed ourselves and saw some pretty amazing creatures.

Hurrying back to the parkade we braced ourselves for the parking bill. While the gate was processing the card I noticed there was a 2.8% surcharge for credit card payments. Yuck. When the receipt popped out the only value I saw was $5 and assumed it was probably the surcharge but, on closer inspection, turns out that was the total cost of our three hour stay! Yippeee! Back at the Moore’s we had a nice supper, played some pool, and then off to sleep.

Saturday, 4 January 2014

Our second full day we decided not to tempt the parking gods and took the train back to the harbour. Another busy day with many people and lots of street performers. More didgeridoo players, human statues, artists, and performers. Ended up watching one who juggled dangerous things balanced on the top of a bicycle sitting on a three meter pole. After that we strolled around the Opera House then found a place for a sit down lunch. Nothing is cheap there, but it was delicious.

Outside the Opera House is an installation called Architects of Air: Exxopolis. It is an enormous hand-sewn air-filled structure (think of a balloon you can walk inside) with pure coloured light panels. The geometry is amazing and the effects of the primary light colours on your eyes is neat to experience. Alicia sat and recovered from the walking while Carlen and I explored that interesting space.

Later we made our way around to The Rocks strolling through the market stalls. So many neat crafty things to look at none of which we purchased thank goodness! It was quite a long walk but we eventually found ourselves back near the Aquarium. We made use of our annual passes to visit the Wax Museum and the Australian Wildlife places. Knowing we could come back any time allowed us to zip through and focus on what we wanted as opposed to feeling like we had to take in every single exhibit and read every sign along the way.

The wax models at Madame Tussaud’s are amazingly lifelike – Alicia commented more than once how freaky it felt. Most of the models there are Australian celebrities, some familiar and some not. A couple of times I’d glance at one and was startled when it moved realizing it was just another tourist who had been standing still for a while.

Back at Moore’s, Carlen had a swim while we visited. After supper we visited late into the evening talking about music, the weather, books, and telling stories. A nice way to wrap up another full day.

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Early morning getting our gear rounded up and packed away. Enjoying seeing pictures from our exchange partners back in Canada managing the cold and snow. Also appreciating that our friends and colleagues are offering a warm welcome to them in the middle of the cold snap.

Had a nice visit with an old (as in “time known”, not as in “aged”) friend and his family – commented on how it had been more than a decade since we had been in the same space at the same time yet our time together was a comfortable, fun, and an easy visit. Loved their amazing home space, their precious daughters, and the finely BBQd sausages and lamb. Even Alicia liked the lamb, and, for those of you that know her that was quite a compliment! Carlen said as we were leaving Allan and Gillian’s that he had only met two Australian families (Moore’s and Kreuiter’s) and they are both “awesome… cool people!” We heartily agree!

Leaving the Kreuiter’s we headed off to Newcastle and are now settled in at a hotel for a couple of nights before the journey inland to our home for a year in Coonabarabran. Thanks to everyone for your comments here and on Facebook. We love how easy it is to stay connected even though we’re so far away.