29th December – The first thing I did today
was commit a crime. I don’t wish to shock you but its true. The annoying Yank
Twat on the bunk above me had a “Round Asia on a Shoestring” guide and I wanted
it. As revenge for him being a complete tosser I may have acquired it whilst he
was sleeping. After making a hasty retreat ad checking out I went and caught my
flight back to Sydney. By the time
I had arrived in Sydney England had won the Melbourne
test and thusly retained the ashes.
I caught a train from the airport to Circular Quay and
headed to the hotel where I’ll be staying with Mum and Dad for a few days. It
was really good seeing tem after such a long time and we went to a rooftop bar
for a drink and a catch up. In the evening we went for a walk and went to an
Italian restaurant for dinner.
30th December – we decided to get up
reasonably early and head to Manly beach. Once we arrived we had some breakfast
n the beach front before renting a parasol and picking our spot. After chilling
and swimming for a few hours we all grew a bit restless and fidgety so decided
to go for a walk down the beach. On our way back we decided to get a drink in a
bar overlooking the beach. The bar was pretty cool so we decided to get some
food as well. Once we were finished we caught the ferry back to the CBD and
crashed in our rooms.
31st December – We didn’t really want to
stray too far from our hotel so we went down to Darling
Harbour. At the harbour we got some
breakfast and went for a wander. We went to the Chinese
Gardens and these are really
pretty. After a walk around the shops and the harbour we went for a drink in a
pub an met a couple on their honeymoon. We then went for an early dinner and
ended up going to a contemporary tapas bar. I had Belly Pork and it was
amazing. We then returned to our rooms
to shower and change before the fireworks started.
We decided to meet up in Mum and Dads room and have a
few nibbles and Champagne before
the 9:00 smaller firework show. The
show was pretty good and lasted about 5 mins but didn’t include the big
fireworks that were being saved for the later show. After the show we returned
to mum and dads and had some more food and drinks. In order to bag a prime spot
for the 12:00 show we decided to go
up to the roof at 10:30 and I took
my tripod with me. We ended up speaking to the people next to us so that helped
pass the time. When the fireworks started they were amazing. I had brought my
tripod up with me so I was able t take photo’s whilst being able to watch the
fireworks and they were spectacular. The show only lasted about 10 mins but it
was just so nice. After all was over we returned to the room and toasted towards
the new year before going to bed.
1st January – We decided to do some walks
around Sydney that were in Mums
guide book. We walked around Darlinghurst, Paddington, Wooloomooloo and Kings
Cross amongst others. We stopped a couple of times for drinks etc but we had a
really good day and managed to see some really nice parts of Sydney
often missed by tourists. In the evening we went and found a Curry house. It
was full so we went to the Admiral Nelson micro brewery before returning and
having a very tasty curry.
2nd January – We decided that as it was such
a nice day we would head to Bondi beach. Once we arrived we went to the Bondi
North Italian restaurant and got a round of meatball sandwiches whilst looking
out over the beach. After eating we found a spot on the beach and proceeded to
fall asleep. The beach was actually quite overcast and windy so we decided to
go for a walk along the beach so that mum could see the famous Icebergs
swimming club. We then returned to central Sydney
and visited the MCA. Mum and Dad weren’t bothered with seeing the Anne Libowiz
exhibition so we just went to the free ones. I can tell you now don’t bother.
Its one of the worst museums I have ever visited. I’m not a fan of Aboriginal
art but the contemporary art is so pretentious its just not art. I don’t think
that the box that a TV comes in stuck to a wall is art, that’s because its not.
After I picked up my stuff and went to check into my hostel. In the evening I
walked up to Circular Quay to meet Mum and Dad for dinner. We ended up going to
a little restaurant near their hotel and I had Fish and Chips, very good Fish
and Chips of that. Dad had a nice fish risotto and mum had a very sensible but
equally delicious Caesar Salad.
3rd January – Met Mum and Dad and went for a
walk around the shops. After discovering that we didn’t actually want to buy
anything we decided to go to the Barracks
Museum that explained about how the
Penal Colony was established and operated within the early years. After we went
for some lunch on Circular Quay before I returned to my hostel. In the evening I
met up with Liz, Michael and Rhia as Michael and Rhia fly home tomorrow so we
went out for a goodbye dinner. We went to China
town and ended up having a completely disastrous meal. The one good thing was
that we met England
cricketer Chris Tremlett in the restaurant.
4th January – Met Mum and Dad at Ticket Master
so that we could collect our tickets for the day. We then headed to the SCG and
took our seats. England
had another good day (I think I’m good luck) and they dismissed Australia
for 284 before going on to score almost 200 for 4 by the end of play. We walked
back to the centre from the ground and ended up having dinner in a restaurant
on the waterfront. I even had Kangaroo!! Its lovely. After dinner we went for a
drink and then said our goodbyes as Mum and Dad go up to Cairns
tomorrow and I’m off to the cricket again.
5th January – Another day at the cricket and
another cracking England
performance. England
batted all day and Alistair Cook scored a shed load. After the match I walked
home again and met up with Sarah, who I met in Peru,
and we went for a drink. We weren’t really feeling the bar that we were in so
we decided to go to Star City
casino. We didn’t actually bet any money, I am a backpacker after all, but we
had a cool time. We started of with a few drinks before going and watching the
tables. We ended up settling at a Craps table and made friends on the table. We
actually got sponsored by a player on the table so also got to roll the dice a
few times.
6th January – Today is the final day for me
at the Ashes. This is a very sad day but also an amazing day as by pure fluke
Dad managed to get me tickets in the centre of the Barmy Army. It was amazing.
Not only were England
cruising to a win down under but I was in the best area of the ground singing
my little head off with the Barmy Army. Alas by the end of the day my voice was
quite horse and I was knackered but it was sooo worth it. What a day. England
batted till lunch and set Australia
a massive total. At the end of play things were even better as 7 of the
Australian side had fallen and this included Mitchell Johnson who over all of the
6 days that I attended easily bore the brunt of the abuse. “He Bowls to the
left, He bowls to the right, That Mitchell Johnson, His bowling is shite” X 1 million.
After walking back I packed all my stuff up and sorted things
out as I leave Sydney at lunch
tomorrow.
Please find my photo's here :
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5035332&l=e9219bcaec&id=286602040
