Mark's Travels

10 years of travel blogging from 35+ countries around the world

At home in Sydney 6th September 2004 in Sydney, Australia


The flight from the Gold Coast to Sydney was beautiful. They flew along the coast for a bit and you could see the most beautiful beaches. They then flew inland so you could see some great terrain. Eventually we flew in Sydney where I managed to get some great shots of the city and the Harbour.

I had never quite realised that Australia gets winter until I walked out of the Airport in Sydney. It was cold outside and I was a bit shocked by it. I felt a bit jealous seeing everyone being picked up at the airport and I was left waiting for 30 minutes for my shuttle to Sydney Central Backpackers.

The people at the hostel were really nice and friendly. The rooms weren't too bad and overall it had a great feel that I missed since being here last in 2001. Kings Cross has changed too, though it's still a bit dodgy it's not the crack-infested whore-playground that I last remembered. A lot of the brothels have turned into Internet cafes and most of the touts will only bother you once before moving on to someone else whereas in other places they could follow you for a while.

I went into the most disgusting Hungry Jacks the world has ever seen where I was asked "Do you have $2.50 brother?" by some homeless guy while I was waiting in line to order. I told him to fuck off and he did.

Sydney definitely is not as appealing in cold weather, it reminded me of Auckland when it was cold there. I looked out at the Opera House from the roof of the hostel. It looked amazing but almost fake. It seemed a bit smaller than last time and everything didn't feel so real, as though I could hardly believe I was back here. The last time I was in Sydney I felt so glad to be out of School, out of Canada and hanging out somewhere where I could do what ever I pleased. I had never tasted freedom that tasted so good. Now I was back and it was quite unbelievable. Perhaps I went through so many grey days or obstacles that my mind could not believe that I came back to what I knew as heaven.

That evening I felt as at home as I would anywhere at the pub quiz night. Most of the hostel went and it was a good chance to meet everyone. It was amazing how much I had in common with just about everyone at the pub. There were people from Germany, Ireland, England, Canada and Australia and I felt so comfortable striking up a conversation with every one of them. Sydney may have been cold but it still felt like home to me.


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