Sydney - Day by Day

Those who know me well, would understand that I am not usually the most happy-go-lucky type of guy if I am out of bed at 5:00 in the morning. However, this day was different. I was wide awake in a semi-crowded Fiji airport that was no larger than a common waiting room in an American hospital. I was eagerly awaiting my departure to Australia where I would be spending the next 5 months of my life.

(Picture above is of the King's Cross neighborhood just outside of my hostel)

Day 1

After a short 3 hour flight from Fiji on a Boeing 747, I touched ground on the east coast of Australia in Sydney. Being that it was only 11:00 am, I had nearly a full day ahead of me to check out the city but first I had to make it through customs. Now normally I wouldn't be distraught in a situation such as this, as I'm neither a drug-lord or a wanted felon. However, I was bringing in some small shells and pieces of coral as souvenirs from Fiji (for those not accustomed with going through customs, these items are in somewhat of in a gray area in terms of being allowed to take them into another country). My worries vanished though as I was pushed through the gates and into the city. After an hour long shuttle ride from the airport (which happened to be a great first glimpse of the city), I arrived at Eva's Backpackers, my first hostel in Sydney where I would be spending the next 4 days. I was greeted by the friendly Australian host (I presume was Eva) and was assigned my room. I opened my door to find an empty room (my three other unknown roommates were already out for the day). I quickly locked up my things in the room and off I went.

I was very pleased with the first views from the neighborhood where I was staying. It reminded me of the architecture in the Georgetown area of Washington DC, the weather of Los Angeles, and a city atmosphere that I have not yet been to before, until now. There was so much color and greenery throughout and inside the city. If you have ever been to St. Paul, Minnesota in the neighborhoods around St. Thomas, you might have an idea of what landscape I'm trying to describe.

The first thing I purchased was a CityRail unlimited weekly travel pass, undoubtedly the best thing I had purchased in Sydney. This allowed me to scurry around the entire city via train (subway), bus, or ferry (my favorite) wherever I desired and as regularly as I chose. For a little over $45, I knew this was the cheapest way to see the most possible in my week in Sydney. In fact, learning the rail system itself allowed me to sink into the Sydneysider's culture like none other.

Circular Quay Ferry Wharfs

After some guidance from several helpful Aussies, it was a quick rail ride from King's Cross to Circular Quay. Circular Quay, for those who don't know, is where all the action in Sydney begins. The second you step off the train, you see everything. Sydney Harbour is right in your face! Look to your right; you see the Opera House. Look to your left; there is the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Look straight ahead, and you see the Circular Quay Ferry Wharf; 5 large docks with large commuter vessels constantly pulling in to dock while some are departing for other parts of the harbour.

"The Rocks" - Below the Sydney Harbour Bridge

"The Rocks" - Neighborhood

I spent most of my first day on this square mile plot of territory just outside of Circular Quay. I first walked towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge and "The Rocks" neighborhood of Sydney. "The Rocks" is the neighborhood first settled by convicts whom were transported by the British government in the mid 1800's. I was fascinated by many old buildings and stone walkways that still exist and some that are even still in retail operation. From "The Rocks" I scaled a steep stairway to the beginning of the pedestrian walkway on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I took the time to walk across the entire bridge to North Sydney.

Pedestrian Walkway - Sydney Harbour Bridge

North Sydney

It took nearly 30 minutes to walk across the bridge which also contains 8 lanes for vehicular traffic, CityRail lines, and obviously the pedestrian walkway. I had the opportunity at some spectacular views and great photographs overlooking the harbour, the Opera House, and Sydney in general. After building a decent appetite from the bridge hike, I traversed back into "The Rock's" for some food. I took the advice from my Frommer's guide to check out "G'day Cafe" a relatively inexepensive cafe in the heart of "The Rocks". I ordered a cheeseburger and a Coke. When preparing my meal, the cafe owner asked if I would like beetroot on my burger. After recalling reading about beetroot being a customary Aussie burger condiment and not wishing to be immediately banished from the country as a tourist, I said "Why not?". The burger was great, although the sweet taste of the beetroot and it's soggy, reddish-pink effect on my bun was not quite my thing.

"Beetroot" Burger

After my meal, I continued on to the Opera House, which was unbelievable to finally be able to see with my own eyes. I took some pictures and hurried back down to the ferry wharfs to catch the ferry leaving for Manly at dusk (8:00 pm). I secured a spot on an outside bench of the boat and readied my camera for the 30 minute scenic trip to Manly (the longest ferry ride in Sydney). The ferry to Manly at dusk is apparantly a hot ticket, as the ferry was nearly full with camera-grasping tourists such as myself. It was here that I understood why travelers worldwide recognize the brilliant lights of Sydney as one of the most unparalleled cityscapes in the world.

Foremost building of the Opera House - Fancy Restaurant Inside

The "Crows" of Sydney - I saw these things all over!

Day 2 to come soon... Stay tuned.

Thank you for your wonderful comments! I appreciate you taking the time to follow me on my adventure...

Quick Sydney Update

Sydney is absolutely beautiful.... I love it and am having an AMAZING TIME! It is so green in the city and it is so big! I only have time for a real quick update, as I want to get back out touring. As mentioned previously, internet is very slow and it takes roughly 15 min/picture upload and it took roughly 4 hours to post my last update even after having written it. I will have many more updates when I arrive in Newcastle and get my place on the 18th. Below is my itinerary for Sydney (obviously I already completed Tuesday and Wednesday). I also posted an update for Fiji today. Please see my post "Three Days in Fiji" under February on the right to read this as well (or click the link).

Please comment!


Itinerary

Tuesday (Completed)

• Circular Quay
• Opera House
• The Rocks
• Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Ferry to Manly @ Dusk

Wednesday (Completed)

• Darling Harbour
• Sydney Aquarium
• Chinatown/Central Business District
• Hyde Park
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• National Maritime Museum
  

Thursday (TO DO)

• Taponga Zoo
• Watsons Bay-Heads Cliff: Hike/Picnic
• Queen Victoria Building - Shopping
  

Friday (TO DO)

• Sydney National Park: Manly-Spit Hike
• Manly Beach
• Sydney Olympic Park

Three Days in Fiji

Foreword - Today, Thursday February 10^th 2010, is my first day in almost one week that I have acquired a dependable internet connection. Typically, one might question my insanity in these circumstances. However, my exciting travels have kept me very busy and refreshed and I must admit it has been a nice mental vacation from the “real world” or American life as I am accustomed to. I would like to apologize to those who have been eagerly awaiting my first post overseas. Fortunately, I kept a journal on “paper” documenting what I experienced in Fiji. Here you are…

For the last three days (Feb. 6^th-8^th), I have been traveling throughout Nadi, Fiji. My flight arrived in Nadi on the 6^th of February at 5:15 AM. When I first stepped off the plane, I was welcomed by the customs officers of Fiji and a thick breath of humid, tropical air. Immediately after landing, I began dripping sweat which was evidenced by the constant sliding of my glasses off of my nose (it took me until Sydney to get acclimated to this hot weather; very tough on a native Minnesotan). I also witnessed a smell that I have never before encountered. It was the smell of an impoverished, third-world jungle that is the main island of Nadi, Fiji. My very first impression of Fiji is much like what you would expect: hot humid, 90+ degree weather, palm trees and other tropical plants littered across the land, and a very friendly base of native Fijians waiting to please me. My expectations quickly diminished as the sun rose and I began to see what Nadi really was; a destitute, poor, dirty island unlike anything I had anticipated. My “Resort” was nice; however, it was not anywhere in the proximity of the white-sanded and blue-watered beaches I had seen in the pictures within the travel guides I had read prior to my trip. To be fair, my “Resort” was a youth hostel, a dorm-like accommodation for college-aged travelers. I quickly learned from my welcoming and helpful hosts that I must pay an additional and considerable amount of money to escape the island I flew into, in order to see the beautiful, picturesque sights of Fiji. Apparently, those white-sanded and blue-watered beaches are only located on the other 300 some islands that comprise the nation of Fiji. Luckily, the hostel was complete with two pools, two bars, and a restaurant. I quickly grew accustomed to the lack of cold water, internet, and phone; however it was very tough to be a “minority” for the first time in my life. I, being the only American I saw in Fiji, stood out like somebody wearing a turban on an airplane.

Much of the Main Island Looks Like Vietnam

I was fortunate enough to make good friends with a British gentleman whom I soon met after we were assigned to the same dorm room in the hostel. His name was Josh, a 20 year old Englander with a medium build, dark hair, and a thick British accent. I also met a German named Michael and two cool Swedish guys named Jake and Klaus.

For my first day in Fiji, I traveled alone into town on a .70 cent bus (.35 cents American; Fijian dollars are worth half that of American) to check out the market, which I heard was the quickest way to learn the Fijian culture. I was welcomed and spoken to by almost every other Fijian. I tried a local earthy drink customary to Fijians as "Kava" and learned a lot about the violent cannibalism history of Fiji and saw items for sale as souvenirs that they used to use for this horrific custom; such as the neck-cracker and brain-fork. The fruit market was probably my favorite part of the town. Every tropical fruit imaginable was strewn about a square, hanging from clotheslines, and across rugs and tables. The strong, sweet tastes of each one reminded me of the first time I had tried fruit as a kid. I tried Papaya and Passion Fruit for the first time and had pineapple on a stick. That evening, I was invited by some locals to have “barbeque” with them in a park and enjoyed some lamb chops, an unknown type of sausage, potatoes, cucumbers and Fiji Bitter beer. I enjoyed listening to the very important Fiji vs South Africa Rugby game on the radio with the obsessed Fijian fans.

Trying Kava with Native Fijians

The second day, I decided that I was going to find the nearest beach. After hearing that the only beach within walking distance (1.5 miles) was littered with brown muddy sand, broken glass, and rubbish I decided to take the recommendation of the host and go to “Sheraton Beach” (supposedly the best beach within 20 miles). I hired a taxi and off I went. My British friend Josh came with. After roughly 15 minutes of crazed driving, we entered a private resort area (the most beautiful area of town I encountered). I saw a beautiful golf course and numerous American branded resorts. When our driver announced our arrival, I was humored to notice that we were at the Sheraton Resort. I figured that when my hostel host labeled the beach we were going to as “Sheraton” Beach, it was actually named this. The resort accommodated us like we were guests of their own. We played 6 vs. 6 beach volleyball against Fijians, swam in beautiful blue water, and hung out on the white sandy beaches for the entire day. After getting back, I had an excellent fish-n-chips dinner with the Brit, German, and Swedes. We enjoyed conversation for several hours about the various customs in each of our respective countries.

Sheraton Beach

The next day I hiked down to the nearest bay and walked around for several hours. I enjoyed beautiful mountain views and a relaxing hike. For the rest of the afternoon I chilled by the pool, read, and recovered from some serious sun I received the day prior (even after many high SPF sunscreen applications; it’s that intense!). I went to sleep early as I had an early morning flight to Sydney. Though Fiji was very beautiful in many areas, I found the main island to be somewhat distasteful. If I travel to Fiji again, I plan to leave the main island immediately with hopes to see the beautiful islands I did not witness. All in all, I truly valued my experience in Fiji but am very excited to push on to Australia!

I will be posting several more posts hopefully shortly to catch up for the last week or so including my first few days in Sydney (also pictures are taking roughly 15-20 min/image so I will be uploading more when I reach Newcastle and have better internet). Cheers!

Bay Near Hostel

Cool Tree

Leaving the Artic Tundra (aka Minnesota) for the South Pacific

G'day! My name is Danny Klotz, I am a 21 year old American student studying at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. I grew up and went to high school in Elk River, Minnesota, a NW suburb of Minneapolis. I am writing this blog to document my travels as I will be embarking on a 5 month tour of Australia where I will be studying abroad at the University of Newcastle, roughly 167 km (just over 100 miles) north of Sydney.

I will be flying out of Minneapolis International Airport on Thursday the 4th of February, laying over in Los Angeles, CA for 4-5 hours (hopefully just enough time to grab burgers and fries at In-N-Out), and then resuming my flight to the South Pacific, where I will be landing on the islands of Fiji two days later on February 6th 2010. I will be spending three days sightseeing on Fiji before I push on to Sydney on February 9th. From there, I will be touring Sydney for 0ne week before I travel north to Newcastle, where I will reside for the remainder of the semester.

I look forward to keeping everyone updated on my travels down under! Cheers!