I really didn't have that much time in Sydney this time I was there, I was there for two days, but with various meetings and being so tired on the first day I didn't really do much. However, I saw a lot as I walked absolutely everywhere, I only got the bus once and that was so I wouldn't miss my flight! I walked from the bottom to the top of George Street (the main street in Sydney), from the bottom to the top of Macquarie Street, and all the way around Circular Quay, through the rocks, and round to the Botanical Gardens. So, let me take you on my journey of what I saw along the way!
Now this is one of my favourite buildings in Sydney. The Queen Victoria building, it's a huge beautiful shopping mall. Everyone always says Australia has no history...erm...what do you call this then!?
Because Sydney was the first settlement in Aus, it's all very English. I always think of it as a small version of London, but in a prettier setting and with better weather and beaches. It has gorgeous arcades and shopping centres built hundreds of years ago, that always remind me of Burlington Arcade in London.
The Rocks is another place steeped in history, just look at these buildings!
The last time I was at Sydney Opera House was six years ago, we were living in Perth at the time and my best friend and her family were visiting us from England, so we all went to Sydney for a few days for my 17th birthday. It rained the whole time. But what was special about the Opera House, was being lucky enough to see Kurt Elling, one of the most incredible and talented jazz singers, perform there. I had no idea who Kurt Elling was, I begged my mum to let us see Swan Lake, but as soon as she told me Kurt was a jazz singer, I stopped sulking and whining. I've been a huge jazz lover since a very young age, and it was honestly an honour to see him perform live in such a special venue. A memory I definitely shan't forget!
After walking up the steps of the Opera House I then wandered over to the Botanical Gardens, walked a little way through them, sat on the grass, and felt incredibly lonely and exhausted, so I headed back to my hotel room at the Shangri La to have a bath and get an early night.
Seriously, I could never do this whole travel thing by myself again. I'm a really independent person, but travelling is such a memorable experience that I feel it needs to be shared with someone, and being alone for long periods of time just reminds me of my second year of uni - probably the worst year of my life. I suffered from horrible depression and literally spent all my free time that year in my bedroom by myself, not seeing people for days at a time because I was such an emotional mess. The one positive is that if it weren't for that happening, I probably wouldn't be where I am today in my career. But anyway, hence I hate being alone for long periods of time now, I'm just far too sociable for it, I love being surrounded by people and having conversations and laughs with people I love.
I walked up Macquarie Street to the Royal Automobile Club of Australia as I had an hour to kill before my next meeting. I'm a reciprocal member, so signed in and investigated to see if it was as good as the London clubs. It was huuuuge, but it definitely didn't match up to my beloved London versions. It didn't have any facilities, and was so empty it felt a bit dead. The library didn't have any readable books, so I sat down at a desk, used their wifi, and took selfies to entertain myself while I waited.
After the meeting I wandered through the government gardens, and then headed to Pitt St to get Krispy Kremes from Central Station to take back to Perth with me. They don't get Krispy Kremes in Western Australia, so whenever anyone goes over East they bring back Krispy Kremes. I was under strict instruction from everyone to bring back 2 dozen doughnuts, and that is what I did.
After my Krispy Kreme challenge was completed, I got the bus back to the hotel, grabbed my bag, and headed to the airport to get my flight back to Perth. I landed around midnight and thankfully Andrew saved me and picked me up so I didn't have to pay $80 for a taxi. I rewarded him with two doughnuts of his choice, I think that was a fair trade.