Ruby in the Sky

After sitting on a flight for a good few hours squashed between two guys, one of which snoring and taking up the entire armrest, not really getting in any quality sleep, we touch down in Australia. I change out of my tropical clothes and brush my teeth in the airport bathroom, go through the usual customs hustle & bustle and then I’m officially here: Sydney.

From the airport, there’s an expensive but easy train connection to Sydney Central, which is near my hostel. After the usual puzzled-walking scenario I find its entrance, go up, check in and crash. Only a little bit though, because it’s only 1.00 p.m. and I’m going to have to stay up for the rest of the day if I want to beat my jet lag. So after settling in a little I set off to explore the town.

It’s a rainy day, something I haven’t experienced in a while. The familiarity is welcome, but for a first impression it’s not the most favorable state. Soon, I find a place called Hyde Park. It’s by no means the same size as what I presume is the original, but it brings to mind the atmosphere of home, which is nice. After a little wandering I do my first groceries, and retreat back to the hostel to be my tired, jet lagged self for a while.

The next day, the weather is much better. My sleep is a bit messed up still, but I’m optimistic about the day ahead. I set out again, aiming to go to the circular quay with a detour through the botanical gardens. My sense of direction is not at it’s best in this town, I find: where I expect to take a left, I have to walk straight on and what I thought was miles away yesterday, now turns out to be only one street down. Nevertheless I reach the botanical gardens, and I settle myself on a sunny field with a nice book and my feet in the grass. When in doubt, seek out nature! appears to be my motto.

After wandering around for most of the day I have a good ol’ food court dinner in a mall like the high class person I am. Not much later I befriend some locals, and the adventure begins. We go back to Hyde park and sit there until well after dusk. I see the biggest bats in the sky above us. I mistake rats for chipmunks, romanticist that I am. When we get restless, we decide to go elsewhere; not much later I find myself for the first time at Bondi Beach. We walk along the sand, then shelter from the downpour that has once again burst out. It’s deep in the night when I get dropped off back at my hostel, and crash into a deep sleep almost instantly.

On the next and for now final day in Sydney, I set off to explore Manly beach. I take a ferry, sit out in the front seats (completely disregarding the puking incident of ’13) and enjoy the warm sunshine and the beautiful water leading to the sea. Upon arrival I get myself a vegan donut (I might have been looking forward to this moment for a while). The girl serving me gets me up to speed on the Oscars, which I completely forgot about. Hilarity and happiness is the chief emotion.

After sitting by the beach, walking along the promenade for a while, buying and spilling some coffee, it’s time for me to get back to the mainland. I do my groceries, make myself some dinner, and pack to leave Sydney behind for my next destination – a recommendation from my boss: the Blue Mountains.