Sydney and Adelaide Revisited

I am quite happy that I got to go back to both Sydney and Adelaide, to take care of some unfinished business. Much fun was had.

Sydney

The visit to Sydney was primarily for New Year’s Eve. Now, of course, everyone who was not from Australia was quite adamant about going to see the fireworks on Sydney Harbour. Everyone from Australia pretty much discouraged it. “If you’ve seen it on TV, you’ve seen it.”

I, however, chose a compromise. My mates Adam, Drew and Scott and I headed down to the harbour to try and see the 9pm family fireworks. Here’s what we got to see.

Our view of Sydney Harbour and the Fireworks

What you can see behind me is a bridge. Yes, the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In front of that, however, is the City Loop train bridge that brings the trains by Circular Quay. I think we saw like 4 bursts in total.

After that, we went to a New Year’s Eve party on Oxford Street. All I will say is that a good time was had by all.

Me and Michael, early in the evening.

Over the next few days in Sydney, I went to a few more places I hadn’t been yet, including my walk (finally) over the Harbour Bridge.

Me on the Harbour Bridge

I did this tour around with my mate Scott (who, incidentally, found out today his work papers for Canada came through. Watch out Vancouver! And take care of him for me) and we had a really lovely time.

Scott at the foot of Harbour Bridge

We also went to the Sydney Observatory, which was a nice, fun short trip out. Lost of cool stuff on the stars and planets, and on the location itself. Most importantly:

This was the weather on my birth day in Sydney =)

It was lovely to get to spend more time in Sydney with Scott and Drew and everyone else.

Adelaide

Adelaide at night

The trip back to Adelaide was brief, and only as a layover on my way up to Alice Springs (where I am now). I did, however, get to spend a great few days with Phil and Trav, a lovely couple who very graciously took me in. It was nice to have a few days to just unwind with great people.

Travis, Phil and me

While I was there, Travis took me to Glenelg, a pretty little village on the ocean that is, to my knowledge, the only place whose name is a palindrome. It was nice.

Glenelg from the pier

We also went into Adelaide city for a night out, and ended up, much to Phil’s chagrin, at Adelaide’s only gay bar. I dunno, I liked it, but I was in a dancy mood.

At any rate, it was a lovely few days, and then I experienced my first LAN party. (thanks Phil for the editorial authority 😉 At least I got to reorganize my music.

Thoughts

So I’m over halfway through the Australia portion of my trip, which is sort of… odd. Just under 7 weeks until I fly back to North America. And I have started that process of saying goodbye to people and places. I won’t be back to Sydney or Adelaide, and it’s up in the air whether or not I’ll be back to Melbourne (as much as I want to).

Just a bit of a wake-up call, I guess.

Onwards…

Special thanks

Shout out again to Scott. You rock.

Thanks so much to Phil and Trav. I’m so happy to have met you. Come see me in Canada!