Sunday, July 11, 2010
♥ Sydney Trip
The Sydney Journey
The past 10 days has consisted of little sleep, long days, new friends and lots of shopping.
My trip to Sydney begun on a Tuesday morning. Ken picked me up and straight to DFO we went! No time wasted, shopping was definitely on the top of the list of priorities. I’ve been to Sydney before, especially when I was on YOTY tour and did all the “tourist-y” things. I wasn’t interested in the museum, art gallery, library, zoo etc. I wanted to shop. I wanted to eat. I wanted to not be a tourist. Yet still enjoy all the normal everyday things Sydney has to offer.
Shopping was actually pretty good. Despite Ken trying to pay for my things, he was actually really helpful. He helped find sizes on the racks. He helped look through piles of clothes for designs. And every time he help up a shirt or a shoe and I said “nah it’s too _________”, he actually remembered all the things I didn’t like to find something that I did. Quite amazing for a guy I thought. Very handy shopping buddy.
For dinner we headed to Strathfield for some Korean BBQ. Then off we went to Tamara’s place in Double Bay. It was quite a nice / fancy suburb.
Wednesday, Ken came over and we went for a short walk around the suburb. It’s such a pretty place. There was this cool wharf thingo with a view of the city and lots of nice boats around.
Then we headed into town. Dim Sum in China Town for brunch, Paddy’s markets and into the heart of Sydney for more shopping. Market City was interesting. Some awesome stuff there for good prices. Grabbed some take away asian for dinner (porridge & duck with rice) and went back to Tamara’s to eat.
Next day, Ken picked me up and we were meant to head somewhere (I forgot where) but basically we got lost and somehow ended up going down this long stretch of road (that was on the way to the airport) that had no exists. So we ended up just deciding to go to Bankstown or Campbelltown or something like that – I don’t remember exactly the name of the suburb. We had lunch at this cool Sportsbar thing that had some pretty gardens inside and a variety of different restaurants. We then went hunting for my mum’s asian cake moulds which was way more difficult than I was hoping.
Dropped by the “Italian Forum” which is like this place which is surrounded by apartments and has little restaurants and ice-cream parlours – and it looks just like Italy (well, at least looks like what I would think Italy would look like). Grabbed some icecream. Got a parking fine (whoops). Went to USyd to check out where I’d be spending the next week. It’s quite an old school look uni. Ken took me around. Got some pretty pictures. Sat down in the library and talked for a while.
Then headed to Darling Harbor for dinner. Was lining up for some fancy Italian restaurant but then gave up because it was taking too long and I didn’t want to be home too late. Ended up getting Aportos! My first time! It reminds me of nandos haha. Then we went home and said our final goodbyes.
It was really good to catch up with Ken while I was in Sydney. I hadn’t seen him in 2 years. He’s a real gentleman, the kind of guy who opens the car door for you, pays for all your meals / things, checks if you are okay quite often. Now as much as that is sweet, I sorta kept having to tell him to not. “Dude, I can open the door myself”, “STOP paying for my stuff, you’re more broke than me!”, “I am FINEE, I just make funny noises at random times”. It’s not surprising to hear how his past girlfriends have been using him somewhat – he’s such a pushover, the poor boy.
Friday, I slept in. Was contemplating whether I should stay at home and rest but I got bored so ended up finding my way to the train station (which NO ONE told me was UPHILL btw!) and took it to Bondi Junction for some more shopping! My arms ached by the end because I wasn’t use to having to carry them (since Ken had been stealing them for me). It was a massive Westfield! Did even more shopping. Yup, definitely overdid the shopping this trip haha. Not as bad as I have done before, but still.
Saturday Alvin picked me up from Tamara’s. And I moved into his apartment at Bondi Junction (it was soooo coooool). Then we headed out to town for lunch – Ramen at this Japanese place in a food court in China Town. One of Alvin’s friends had recommended it. The soup was really thick (but it’s meant to be like that) – tasty though.
Then we went to watch WEST SIDE STORY! My first musical! It was better than I would expect from a musical. Alvin says Wicked is really really good so I’m quite tempted to go (tickets are just soooooo expensive ~ eeek).
Then I met one of Alvin’s friends and went back to the apartment to get ready for dinner. And we went to this nice Italian restaurant in Newtown and met more of Alvin’s friends.
And that was the first 5 days! The summit began Sunday. But that’s for another blog.
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Btw, I’ve been writing this on the plane (arghh such a long plane ride! 5 whole hours)
3:41 PM
