Saying goodbye to Fabi was hard as this meant that my last connection to my PNG time is cut now and the new Chapter has finally started.
Soooo – let's go for it!!!
Monday 16.11. BNE - SYD
When I arrived in Sydney I met up with Freddy in the city centre and we went directly to a movie evening at one of his friend's place. The location was breathtaking: 48th floor with the view across Sydney by night. And this together with nice conversations and some drinks – not too bad!
Tuesday 17.11.
Freddy lives in Petersham, the Portugiese quarter about 15mins by train from CBD. He shares the flat with James, an Australian guy who's a real outdoor sports person. Their living room couch was my home for that week, where I could already practice couchsurfing.
After a morning run through Petersham Suburb I spent the day exploring Sydney city centre with its parks, museum and the lively George street. The NSW Art Gallery had an interesting collection of modern art. Of course I also did some shopping.
In the evening I met an old familiar face for a drink at the opera bar: Ralf! Last time we had been out in Melbourne couple of years ago and it was great to catch up again – in the shadow of the opera house! Freddy joined in later and it was a great evening.
Wednesday 18.11.
After a lazy morning I went with Freddy to the Museum of Contemporary art (MCA), located directly at circular quay and then for a walk around the Rocks area, the old harbor quarter. The must have was the climb the pylon of the harbor bridge for a lookout over Sydney CBD. Then I walked across the harbor bridge and had a walk on the other end of the bridge in the sunset atmosphere. Back home we cooked dinner and went in the evening for drinks in the Newtown, the lively student's quarter.
Thursday 19.11.
Beach day!! The Ferry to Manly Warf takes about 30 minutes and immediately one is out of the metropolitan athmosphere in a holiday style town. I went for a walk around Manly national park and along the beach before I took a surf course at Manly Surf School. It was again great fun to try my surf skills. Even in a wet suit it is a cool thing to do. Manly Beach is a very nice location and the fit bodies walking around are just spectacular. Almost every person here, if male or female looks like an Athlete- have to admit I like this!!
For the evening we went for Salsa dancing at the Cruisebar right across the opera house with a couple of Freddy's friends. It was great to shake the hips again, but I'll have to get used to Indian and Chinese Salsa dancers…
Friday 20.11.
Eastern Beaches were on the program for today. Famous Bondi Beach was the start point. Young, hyperactive and loud – and a six-pack seems to be the admission requirement for the boys and a tanned, toned body with blond hair for the girls. So funny to look at.
From Bondi I started the walk along the coast with several beaches and bays for about 2 hrs up to Coogee Beach. After a swim in the cold water and a shower I met Freddy and James there to go for an Italian dinner at Paola's place, right at on the beach shore. Awesome spot. Actually there were plans to go dancing, but not with these gentlemen…
Saturday 21.11.
Price question: Who knows what "canyoning" and "abseiling" is? James took us spontaneously for this activity in the Blue Mountains, about 2 hrs out of Sydney. We were joined by Julia, a Swedish girl from Stockholm. We hiked to Empress Canyon, put on Wetsuits and helmet and off we into the ice cold water along the canyon creek. You jump down some rocks and climb other ones. Sometimes one can slide down and other areas you have to swim along. That's canyoning. Geat fun!!
Suddenly the creek we followed continued in a 30m deep waterfall and we were on the top edge of it. How to get down? This is where "abseiling" comes into play. Nothing for Height-afraidies!! James fixed the ropes we brought and fixed a broad nylon band round my bottom and hips as a harness. With a short instruction he clinked-in the main rope into my harness, fixed the security rope with another carabineer and off I went for my first "abseil" right through the waterfall. It was something completely new but soooo exciting! James was a great instructor, shouting advices throughout the way. I tried not to look down too much and ended in pool of cold water, frozen with hurting hands and scratched knees, but absolutely happy. What an experience! "Stretch the boundaries!" was the sentence Freddy said to me earlier when I was reluctant to jump down a rock into the creek. I suppose that's what I did that day.
Sunday 22.12.
It was a superhot day of over 40 degrees, which limited my willingness for activities somewhat. But I went to the Chinese Gardens and walked along darling harbor taking a ferry back to circular quay. An early evening drink at the Glenmore hotel rooftop bar was great to refresh before I met with Freddy to go to Manly for dinner. We were invited at the new beach place of Esther, a Hungarian girl, Carlos the Brazilian and Sam an Aussie. Susan from Peru and Gus, another Brazilian completed the international group. The way back in the ferry to come in the evening light to the city centre was a terrific end point of my great time here in Sydney.
Thanks Freddy for hosting me, it was super-cool to be a part of your nice group there for a week! Good luck for the next months and catch up in Germany!!!
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