Sydney Last Day

Sydney Last Day

I made the most of my last day in Sydney before flying back to the states. I figured since my underwater experience in the shark cage was less than appealing, I would check out the SeaLife Aquarium which was a 10-minute walk from the hotel I chose. I am glad I went. They had stingrays that had a wingspan larger than my arms could stretch out. There were also sharks, seahorses, Dory, Nemo, and the grumpy Dennis Leary fish. The only issue I had was the information about the fish. There were too few plaques for me to gather each fish type. Also, the tanks had uv lights, I assume, so capturing accurate photos was difficult. It was peaceful despite the screaming children. Water features are ever so peaceful. Here are a few pics and videos showing the aquatic life.

I walked away from the museum feeling a little better about my lack of water exploration this round of Australia. Next time will be less cannonball run-ish and more exploration, water activities, and hiking.

After leaving the aquarium, it was time to head to a bookstore. My international phone by now had run out of minutes so a new friend of mine, Michael, calls around the city near my hotel to find books of poetry by Banjo Paterson. I wanted my own copy of “The Man From Snowy River”. Once this was acquired, i walked to the closest pub, grabbed a dark beer and commenced reading.

Reading the poem for the first time literally had goosebumps popping up on my arms. Because of watching the movie countless times, I had images of whips cracking, horse hooves thundering, labored breathing, and the musical score from the movie running through my brain. I had a small smile on my face as I read, it was electric!

I may read the poem for you. It is an amazing piece of work if you grew up with the movie. Even if you didn’t and love horses, it is worth a listen. I just can’t speak it in an Australian accent.

After finishing the beer and a few poems, I decided to have a moment of pampering. I hopped on a bus and heading to Chinatown for a pedicure! If I haven’t mentioned it before, Australia has one of the highest living wages on the planet. It is because of this; you don’t tip in Australia. As I was having my feet pampered, I noticed the attention given to my phalanges wasn’t out of desperation for a good tip. I will say, since it was my one and only pedicure in Australia, the service was a bit lacking. Maybe the fella was having an off day, who knows, but my thoughts instantly jumped to money. I am unsure why I thought this, I guess that is the way my mind processes things. Anywho, I ended up with some hot red toenails!

Once my foot pampering was complete, it was a bus ride back to the hotel. I’m going to honestly say, I was wiped out. Trotting all over the Sydney business district took its toll on my body. Sitting on the bus was a comfort to all the walking I had been doing when all of the sudden, the bus driver made an announcement. “Sorry folks, we have one more stop then I’m heading to the final stop, there’s a protest today,” he said dismissively. I was confused with his aloofness. I guess this sort of thing happens often here? I did see a protest in Hyde Park when I was in Sydney the first time so as an outsider looking in, I can only assume this is normal protocol. I got a bit of video but cut it off right before the chanter shouted into the megaphone “DOWN WITH UNITED STATES”.

When that was shouted, I had to stop and listen again to make sure I heard things correctly and yes I did. Down with America. Being an American it was a little hard to comprehend this statement. I will admit, it did make my blood boil for a moment. It’s not like I was going to get into the midst of the marching people to understand better, I’d ask a friend!

I soon found out that Australia normally roots for the underdog and many people feel that the Palestinian people have been persecuted. They are mad at America because we are funding Israel. I can understand their frustration.

I dodged through the protest and hiked back to the hotel for a rest. My last meal in Oz was coming and I knew what I wanted to find.

After a short nap I was off again to find some Indian food. I have fallen in love with the spices and let’s not forget, Naan! OMG I fell in love with it at Torquay and have made it a point to find it often along the ride along with meat pies… I ended up at a place that was a 10 minute walk away from the hotel room. I wasn’t disappointed on the level of flavor that exploded in my mouth. In my eagerness to eat, I forgot to take a picture. But I was served water in tradition brass pitcher and cup.

After the meal, it was back to the hotel for a final bath in the bathtub. It is a perfect fit tub and I wanted to soak my bones one last time then off to bed. Bags are packed, flight is in the morning to head back to the states. Let’s get this over with.