Always One Day Ahead

Just ask a Cabbie

Last night (Sunday) Cam and I met up to go out in Sydney. We really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but turned into a wicked night.  

We went to the Oldest pub in Sydney and it was basically empty, but we met these guys from Brisbane in Queensland gave us a good lesson on Queensland culture. But last call was around 10:30. Cam and I were a little bummed with the potential early end to the night out so we set out to find another bar. Pretty much every place downtown was closing at 11. We were a bit rattled as it would be the only opportunity we had to go out in Sydney. So we asked a cabbie. He directed us to a part of town called Kings Cross and we paid 10$ for a ride out there. The fist thing we noticed was how crowded it was and figured we found the right place, finally. That was until we saw a man get arrested for who knows what, and cam got solicited by an …. “adult worker”. With that not being the goal of the evening we kept walking. Only to find the street was lined with … “adult entertainment establishments.” Again, not the night we had in mind. Finally, we found a legitimate establishment and had a final drink. Then we took on the city and walked the 10 min cab ride back downtown to the hotel. I recommend walking places in strange, but relatively save, cities. We saw so much of Sydney by simply wandering with a map stored in our back pocket for safety. 

The moral of the story is, ask a cabbie and say “yes” when they offer to drive you somewhere in a strange city. In the end it will work out. 

For pictures of the more scenic events of the trip thus far check out this album.  

Just ask a Cabbie

Last night (Sunday) Cam and I met up to go out in Sydney. We really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but turned into a wicked night.  

We went to the Oldest pub in Sydney and it was basically empty, but we met these guys from Brisbane in Queensland gave us a good lesson on Queensland culture. But last call was around 10:30. Cam and I were a little bummed with the potential early end to the night out so we set out to find another bar. Pretty much every place downtown was closing at 11. We were a bit rattled as it would be the only opportunity we had to go out in Sydney. So we asked a cabbie. He directed us to a part of town called Kings Cross and we paid 10$ for a ride out there. The fist thing we noticed was how crowded it was and figured we found the right place, finally. That was until we saw a man get arrested for who knows what, and cam got solicited by an …. “adult worker”. With that not being the goal of the evening we kept walking. Only to find the street was lined with … “adult entertainment establishments.” Again, not the night we had in mind. Finally, we found a legitimate establishment and had a final drink. Then we took on the city and walked the 10 min cab ride back downtown to the hotel. I recommend walking places in strange, but relatively save, cities. We saw so much of Sydney by simply wandering with a map stored in our back pocket for safety. 

The moral of the story is, ask a cabbie and say “yes” when they offer to drive you somewhere in a strange city. In the end it will work out. 

For pictures of the more scenic events of the trip thus far check out this album.  

Just ask a Cabbie

Last night (Sunday) Cam and I met up to go out in Sydney. We really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into, but turned into a wicked night.  

We went to the Oldest pub in Sydney and it was basically empty, but we met these guys from Brisbane in Queensland gave us a good lesson on Queensland culture. But last call was around 10:30. Cam and I were a little bummed with the potential early end to the night out so we set out to find another bar. Pretty much every place downtown was closing at 11. We were a bit rattled as it would be the only opportunity we had to go out in Sydney. So we asked a cabbie. He directed us to a part of town called Kings Cross and we paid 10$ for a ride out there. The fist thing we noticed was how crowded it was and figured we found the right place, finally. That was until we saw a man get arrested for who knows what, and cam got solicited by an …. “adult worker”. With that not being the goal of the evening we kept walking. Only to find the street was lined with … “adult entertainment establishments.” Again, not the night we had in mind. Finally, we found a legitimate establishment and had a final drink. Then we took on the city and walked the 10 min cab ride back downtown to the hotel. I recommend walking places in strange, but relatively save, cities. We saw so much of Sydney by simply wandering with a map stored in our back pocket for safety. 

The moral of the story is, ask a cabbie and say “yes” when they offer to drive you somewhere in a strange city. In the end it will work out. 

For pictures of the more scenic events of the trip thus far check out this album.  

Sydney

Sydney is a surprisingly unique city. With just the first day here done I know it is a place I could spend years, and plan to. The first thing we did ( my mom, sister, and I) was to go to the Opera House and see the sites by the water. It was all well and good. We opted out of going inside the Opera House due to the 35$ ticket price. But it was a perfect day (pictures to come). After we went walking through the gardens. we were coming up to the Governers house and we noticed a funny looking fellow. My good friend Cam was walking towards us, he is backpacking Australia until his exchange in shanghai. We knew that one another was in sydney but had no way of contacting each other to meet up. We were pretty lucky.

We were together the rest if the day. Flying Monkies were the biggest suprise in the garden (pics coming) they are really bats the size of small Monkies. We the moved inland, and like real Commerce students we went to the financial district. Saw the usuall suspects as well as many firms we never heard of. Everything in Australia so far has been extremely expensive. We went to dinner by the water after a large fireworks show. This city is filled with life and really has surpassed any expectations.

Ready for takeoff, takeoff, and takeoff

Yea, it took three of them to get from Raleigh to Sydney. Now I understand why adults feigned alcohol on flights, there is nothing comfortable about economy travel. I guess the goal is to one day not have to have to fly economy.

The traveling was the usual. Small lockdown at Lax security and played peekaboo on the flight with a toddler. Sydney is so far extremely beautiful. It is so green and historic. We are only spending two days here but I think it is one of the places you could spend years. Other than that it is an unreal view of the Opera House from our hotel. Picture to come!

I’ll mostly post with pictures, not words unless there is a story.

Cheers

Quick Rundown

One week away from the beginning of my trip. A quick outline. 

Thursday Feb, 2nd Fly (RDU—> Toronto —> LAX —> Sydney) with my Mom and sister. Spend one week driving from Sydney to Melbourne, then fly to Christchurch NZ and make our way to Dunedin, aka the Unviersity of Otago. To get a cheesy feel watch this YouTube video.