{❤} 18 May 12, Friday {❤}
Finally the boy and the girl have reach Sydney Kingsford Airport after approximately 8 hrs of flight. It was 0600 hrs in the morning (+ 10 GMT) and that means in Singapore, it is 0400 hrs and the sky is still dark outside. The moment we step out of the airplane, we can start to feel the cold temperature inside the airport even though we have our jacket on.
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| Welcome to Sydney (The boy) |
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| Welcome to Sydney (The girl) |
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| Sydney International Airport Terminal 1 |
After collecting our luggage at the Arrival Hall, the boy and the girl went to brush teeth at the public toilet. We noticed there was a vending dispenser outside the toilet. Normally, in Singapore, you will find it outside public toilet selling packet of tissue paper only. At Sydney Airport, you can find it selling condom and sanitary for female. It would not be surprise that other countries like Shanghai and Bangkok, you can found this vending dispenser easily.
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| Vending Dispenser |
Since it is early and we have some time after washing up, we decided to explore around the airport. In the airport, there is power-point for traveler to recharge their phone. There is also lot of signage showing suspicious character. Feeling excited after the wash up, the girl start to point to herself that she is a suspicious character.
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| Signage of suspicious character |
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| The girl pointing to herself |
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| McDonald's |
After exploring the airport, we decided to proceed to our hotel, Sydney Travelodge which is located in Museum Station. Travelling by Sydney's Airport Train, also commonly known as railway, from the airport to city is convenience but not cheap. As Sydney's Airport Train operate privately and differently from Sydney train service in the city, one have to pay an extra surcharge of 12 AUD for "gate access fees" on top of the train fare. However there is a way suggested by bloggers and TripAdvisor to avoid that.
Travel Tips:
Bus 400 (Bus-stop just outside the airport) heading toward Bondi Junction passed by Mascot Station is situated near Bourke St. This way would avoided entering the train station by the access gate in the airport. The travelling time on bus is roughly 20 min - 30 min depending on traffic.Travel by train will cut down the travelling time by half.
As we are budget traveler, we had decided to follow whichever are deemed cheaper, to take bus to the nearby train station instead. But before that, we have to head to the train counter to buy a MyMulti Pass. Do remember to tell the staff that you are not going to use the MyMulti Pass to enter the train platform to avoid deduction of the gate access fees.
Travel Tips:
MyMulti pass is a card that entitled unlimited ride on train, tram, bus and ferry in Sydney only. It will be useful for travelers and convenience if you are taking public transport which come in 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, etc. It is divided into 3 different zone with zone 3 covers as far as travel distance to Blue Mountain, however we feel that to travel to Blue Mountain, it will be much more cheaper to purchase a return trip ticket instead of MyMulti (zone 3). It will be wise to check with the counter on the different type of days offered.
We bought ourselves a MyMulti pass (Zone 1) for 7 days for 43 AUD each although we are going to stay in Sydney for 5 days. After that we waiting roughly 15 min before the bus arrived and we board the bus 400 just outside of the airport toward Mascot Station.
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| Sydney Airport Train |
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| Sydney Airport Train Map |
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| MyMulti Pass (Zone 1) |
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| Bus Stop for Bus 400 |
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| Sun Rise =) |
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| Inside Bus 400 |
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| Kingsford Smith Sydney Airport |
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| Leaving Sydney Airport |
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| Train Map (with courtesy from austay.com) |
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| Signage of Bourke St and Mascot Railway Station |
We are glad we have alighted at Bourke St, with the help of the bus driver. Do not worry to request a help from the bus driver as people in Australia is extremely friendly. You will not be surprised to be greeted by a stranger or start of with a conversation as compared to Singapore. Mascot Station is very easy "locate-able" with all the road signage once you have alighted at Bourke St.
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| Random view of Bourke St |
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| A Subway restaurant at a distance |
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| Here we are, Mascot Station |
Travel Tips:
Mascot station is wheelchair-accessible, and has a lift to operate. Not all Sydney train station is wheelchair-accessible. One example is Museum Station which we are heading for our hotel is a non wheelchair-accessible and if you intending to bring lots of gift and goodies back home, we would recommended to bring along a strong and reliable partner or avoid staying at a hotel in that vicinity.
As the boy is quite reliable, hehehe, staying at hotel near Museum Station is not a problem to them =) The boy will help the girl to carry her luggage.
Museum station is just 2 station stop away from Mascot Station which we will be passing the central station. Central station is located in Sydney CBD, is the largest station in Australia which serves and operate almost all of the Sydney Train network.
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| Passing by Central Station |
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| Central Station |
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| Sydney Train, Double decker |
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| We have reached Museum Station |
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| Museum Station (The Boy) |
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| Museum Station Platform |
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| Travelodge Sydney |
We have reached our hotel, Travelodge Sydney.
Things to expect:
Travelodge Sydney is located 5 min walk distance away from museum station and just 2 min walk from Hype Park and trendy Oxford Street, beside the intersection of three road, Wentworth Avenue, Goulburn St and Commonwealth St. It is easily accessible from most main traveler attraction, with 4 main-street away from the downtown of Sydney, George street and bus stop that travel toward Bondi beach, Chinatown and Darling Harbour.
As the hotel operates with a check-in time at 1400 hrs and check-out time is at 1000 hrs, we are not able to check in to our hotel room. However the staff was kind enough to give us a space in the luggage storage area to store our luggage until the check in timing. We have decided to grab our breakfast nearby and visit Sydney aquarium in the mean time.
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| Inside of a double decker train |
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| Our 1st Breakfast in Sydney, Scone |
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| Cup of Coffee |
Sydney Aquarium is located at Darling Harbour. We decided to took a train toward Central station before catching a tram, or normally called Light Rail toward Darling Harbour. Light rail is much more compact and smaller than the train. you are able to use your MyMulti Pass for the fare.
Before taking a tram, the boy and the girl decided to grabbed a quick breakfast at Central Station before proceeding to the next destination. There were lots of fast-food eateries just outside the exit of the platform. We settled down in a cafe (I have forgotten the name of the cafe) with scone and coffee but now to think of that, it is not appetizing. Anyway, we were just hungry and I think anything will do to cure a empty stomach.
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| Taking photo with the signage of Light rail |
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| People crossing the road (Inside the tram) |
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| Inside the Tram |
We took the light rail from Central tram stop to Convention tram stop, where we have to walk 2 min before reaching Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour is a harbour adjacent to the city centre of Sydney, Australia. It is a place featuring tourist attraction like the Sydney Aquarium, Sydney fish market, Maritime Museum, casino and hangout places like Hard Rock Cafe and bars. It is definitely a must-visit in your travel list. Darling Harbour offers different kind of feels and experience during days and night, where there is even firework during weekend. It is especially the moment when you will definitely feel you are not in Singapore just by the blowing wind of the sea breeze. Even the bird are lazing around with such a good weather.
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| A signage in Darling Harbour |
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| Darling Harbour |
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| Sydney Convention Centre - Darling Harbour |
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| Darling Harbour - Hard Rock Cafe |
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| Even the bird are lazing around |
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| More Birds |
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| Sun are shining but the weather is cool |
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| Another view of Darling Harbour |
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| See how the sun shine in Darling Harbour |
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| Darling Harbour - Maritime Museum |
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| The Girl feeling how good is the weather in Sydney |
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| Yeah!!! Crossing the Pyrmont Bridge toward Sydney Aquarium |
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| Playing with cameras - Pyrmont Bridge |
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| The harbour is parked with Boat/ yacht |
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| The Monorail - above the Pyrmont Bridge |
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| Waiting for Monorail to pass by before striking a pose |
Sydney Monorail is a single-loop monorail connected Darling Harbour, Chinatown and the Sydney central business and shopping district.There were eight stops which served major attraction such as powerhouse museum and Sydney Aquarium. As it is operated privately, the fares are not covered my MyMulti Pass and one have to pay money to travel
We did not managed to take the monorail because the train and tram system has covered mostly all the area the monorail took. Recent news in August 2013, showed that monorail has been removed and closed down. Luckily we are able to witness Sydney 's Monorail before it has been removed
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| Here we are Sydney Aquarium |
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| We bought a pairs of ticket |
Sydney Sea Aquarium is a visitor attraction at Darling Harbour which company comprising of 4 other main tourist attraction all around Sydney - Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Sydney Eye Tower, Manly Sealife Sanctuary and Madame Tussauds.
Getting There:
Sydney Aquarium:
Address: 1-5 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Opening Hours: 0900 hrs - 2000 hrs
Travel Tips:
1)Walk up price for single ticket for single attraction is much more expensive.
2) Online single ticket is cheaper but it has 2 hrs specific entry timing and date and it would not be flexible for itinerary planning
3) Online attraction ticket package (2 or more attraction) will entitled 30 days to see the remaining attraction after the visit of the 1st attraction (selected date) at any time.
4) It would be wise to collect the maps and take notice of the feeding times and talks as the animals will normally active during that period.
Before coming over to Sydney, we have already decided to visit the Sydney Eye Tower and Sydney Aquarium only, due to time constraint and we intended to visit the Taronga Zoo instead as it is comparable bigger and more exciting than Wild Life Sydney Zoo. We bought our Attraction ticket pass (Sydney Aquarium + Sydney Eye Tower) online for 54 AUD each.
*Sorry for the unclear photo taken as our camera were not compatible at taking pictures in the dark*
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| The boy and the girl at Sydney Aquarium |
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| The boy was looking at certain weird fish |
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| Jellyfish!! The girl's favorite |
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| Penguin!! |
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| Lots of penguin |
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| Ducky!! |
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| Shark Alert!! |
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| The boy was fascinated |
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| Walk-through with glass panel at the top |
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| Dancing turtle |
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| The boy kiss the girl (Not suitable for the young) |
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| Beautiful fishes |
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| Can't believe there is a mermaid at Sydney Aquarium |
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| Some Paparazzi |
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| The girl taking candid shot with the boy ~ |
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| Poking nose (1st try) |
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| Poking nose (2nd try) |
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| Poking nose (3rd....) The girl was caught red-handed |
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| Taking Selfie =) (The girl) |
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| Yellow fishes |
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| Poking the blue fish instead |
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| Mr Patrick - Starfish |
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| Where is Spongebob |
After we have finished touring Sydney Aquarium, our next destination is Sydney Fish Market, which we have to took a tram from Convention tram stop down to Fish market tram stop for our lunch and then made our way to check in at hotel, Travelodge Sydney.
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| Harbourside (a hang out place with bars and shops) |
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| Macadamia, a must-buy from Australia |
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| Tram track |
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| Alighted at Fish Market Tram Stop |
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| How a tram stop look like |
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| Here we are after crossing the road, Sydney Fish Market |
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| Sydney Fish Market |
The Sydney Fish Market is a one-stop market for live, frozen, fresh and cooked seafood ranging from lobster, crab, fishes, octopus and more. The Sydney fish market is make up of retails stores and shop houses like sushi bar, bakery and gift shop, a wholesale wet market and a fishing port which handles fresh seafood caught by fisherman. It is the world third largest fish market.
Getting There:
Sydney Fish Market:
Address: Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia
Opening Hours: 0700 hrs - 1600 hrs (except Christmas Day)
Actually before the visit, the boy was worrying about the smell of dead fishes and most people would find it puking whenever you visit your neighbourhood fish market, however after visiting, the boy feel that there isn't any stinky smell except the smell of the sea water you will find in beaches. If you haven't visited the Sydney Fish Market before, the boy and the girl would highly recommended and it would definitely worth to put in into you travel list.
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| Fresh seafood (with courtesy from weekendnotes.com) |
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| Fish Market cafe |
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| Fish and Chip~ Totally tasty and fresh only 12 AUD |
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| The fish port |
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| Sydney fish market fish port |
After our lunch at Sydney fish market, it is time to make our way back to the hotel for check-in. We had to take the tram back to Central before catching a train back to Museum Station.
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| Train from Central to Museum Station |
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| Feeling tired after lunch |
We have finally check in into our hotel, Travelodge Sydney.
Getting There
Travelodge Sydney:
Address: 27-33 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia
Check in Hours: 1400 hrs
Check out Hours: 1000 hrs
Things to expect:
Travelodge Sydney is a 18 level hotel with a total of 406 hotel room which come with kitchenette with microwave oven and refrigerator. It provides 24 hours reception assistance and guest laundry and dry cleaning and even internet kiosk for searching of information.Please note that all rooms are non-smoking area. Breakfast is only available with charges and it serves only American breakfast, Power point outlet in the hotel room uses 2 flat metal pins shaped like a"V" and a third flat pin in the center. Wifi is only available in some hotel room with charges.
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| 24 hours reception (with courtesy from travelodge.com) |
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| Power supply |
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| Our bed =) |
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| Hotel view |
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| Kitchenette (with courtesy from TripAdvisor.com) |
After recharging ourselves, we are ready to set ourselves moving for the rest of our time at the downtown of Sydney and then dinner. We have decided to see the sunset in Circular Quay, and of course Sydney Harbour Bridge and the famous Sydney Opera House which is 2 stop away from Museum Station.
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| On our way to Museum Station, Bird resting at Hype Park |
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| Circular Quay, Wharf No. 3 |
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| Sydney Harbour Bridge, The Icon of Sydney |
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| The boy and the bridge |
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| The girl and the bridge |
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| We spotted the Luna Park. |
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| Dendy Cinemas |
We had no Idea Circular Quay was so beautiful and magnificent. The boy and the girl feel extremely happy and blessed that they were able to come all the way to Sydney from a tiny island, Singapore, by a Facebook lucky draw. No words can describe how the feeling back then. We ended up taking photos for Sydney Harbour Bridge and missed the Sydney Opera house. Hahaha~
