Somehow we arrived at Wake Up Hostel Sydney a day early. Lucky for all of us we were able to get a bed for an extra night. At this time of year this was a miracle. Even more of a miracle was the contrast in accomodation. From possibly the worst hostel, to the best hostel in Australia ( As voted on hostelworld.com 2009 ) .
Over the next few days we absorbed our surroundings in the city we have seen so much of throughout our lives. This included the cliche tourist hotspots such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and the beautiful Sydney Royal Botanical Gardens.
As well as the hostel claiming the title of the best in Australia, the bar/nightclub ‘The Side Bar’ adjoining was not far behind in the ratings. This cheesy nightspot claimed several of our evenings while others were spent in the hostel dorm drinking ‘Goon’. Just to point out at that Goon is the backpackers choice of alcohol and at $12 for four litres of wine is the cheapest around and a Lowy favourite. However after closer inspection, this boxed beauty of a wine is made up of egg, milk, nuts and fish extracts.. Our wine tasting adventure had begun.
With more nice weather upon us we explored more of Sydney including Darling Harbour, Sydney Aquarium and its number one tourist attraction The Sydney Wildlife World. Home to unbearably cute Koala Bears ( actually marsupials ) and a number of other Australian animals. Darling Harbour was also where the biggest IMAX cinema in the world is located. This is where we had our life changing cinematic experience watching Avatar 3D.
Christmas day.. Wash out. Unfortuntely a rather big anti climax due to bad weather. We headed to the beach with thousands of others hoping for a Jesus’ intervention on his birthday, parting the clouds and stopping the wind and rain. This however never materialised and instead we enjoyed a beautiful Italian dinner. Lasagne, Penne Arrabiata, steamed Red Snapper and much to Lowys dismay.. a pan of prawns. “Excuse me pet, does this come with owt else?” To which the very polite waitress replied “No sir”. “What ye divvint get any rice or chips?”. ” No sir”. “Ahh whey ya ganna have to fetch uz some bread like”.
dicks!