Last stop Sydney

The last time I was in Sydney was for a soccer tournament in 7th form so quite nice to come back and wander around (taking lots of pictures as I do) check out http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021145&l=177bb&id=220000480 and getting a feel for the vibe of the city

Sun 2 Dec
Had quite a mission actually getting from Manila to my flight to Sydney. Like a good skint traveller I had exactly 100pesos left when I got to the airport, wicked except there was a 750P departure tax I didnt know about, leaving me 650P short, no problems, figured I could get some cash out or at least change some of my Thai baht over. No such luck : ( The bank would only change US dollars and the ATMs outside both terminals were both broken and the best idea information could come up with was to taxi to the nearest mall! Luckily a supervisor took pity on me and asked some Filipino's waiting in line if they'd exchange my baht for pesos so they got a pretty good exhange rate but at least I could get on my flight : ) Picked up my bags in Bangkok and went to check-in and found out I wasn't actually booked on it (today was just not my day...) but luckily it wasnt full so they managed to get me on and I headed back down to the Southern Hemisphere

Mon 3 Dec
Woke up with 40mins of the flight to go so just enough time to have breakie before we landed.

It was a beautiful day and a nice approach into Sydney, my hostel included a free airport pick-up and used the free internet at the airport while I waited. Had a nap and then headed out for a walk in the afternoon ended up at Darling Harbour (my hostel was at Kings Cross). Was back at Kings Cross by 8 to meet Tenar (who I'd met in Thailand) for dinner and we went to a lovely Japanese place for dinner and she told me some cool places to check out.

Tue 4 Dec
Nice to sleep in, only getting up at 9am so I could make the most of the free breakfast at the hostel. Wandered to Circular Quay past St Marys, the top half of Hyde Park and some state buildings along Macquarie St. Took the ferry across to Manly for the afternoon - great views of the harbour bridge and opera house from the boat. Wandered around the Rocks with some funky architecture and christmas decorations and checked out the MCA before meeting Sarah at 6. Pretty cool to catch up with her and had Pollo de la Casa at a really nice Spanish place called Asturiana (Cnr Liverpool and Kent), washed down with some Sangria : ) Crashed on the sofa at her studio (right in the middle of town) coz it was just easier than walking back up to Kings Cross.

Wed 5 Dec
Was raining so was lazy and took the train home (to the hostel) and chilled for a bit before heading out to Bondi Junction. Walked all the way along Oxford St (quite far but nice to get out for a bit and get some fresh air). Paddington was one of those Bohemian places Tenar said I might like if I lived here, a little upmarket but more me than the CBD. The weather wasn't holding up enough to encourage me to bus to Bondi

Beach so trained to Newtown and walked down Kings Road really liking the vibe of this area. Very funky, reminded me of Cuba/Aro in Wellies with second hand shops, independent eateries, vintage stores and even a few punk ones. Wandered back into town and checked out Chinatown, got a $5 rump steak and mash from Scruffy Murphys and headed back for a quiet evening in and flew back home early the next morning