Sydney Day 2

I couldn't tell you the last time I woke up before my alarm went off at 5 am... I guess that's what jet lag is! haha. So, I noticed this morning (I guess I was too tired last night) that the water actually does spin the other way down the drain!!  Its weird waking up to get ready at 6 am in a room of strangers, I felt so bad making so much noise! But, good news, my blow dryer WORKS!! and it didn't explode! woohoo! :) Ive decided that I'm going to start keeping track of all of my "firsts" for this trip... 

 

First time to successfully use a dual voltage hair dryer and adapter. Check! 

I was a little anxious about whether or not my tour was going to pick me up this morning. Heading out extra early (so I thought) I went up to the rooftop for a quick facetime with my sweet  boy. Check out my sunrise view... 

Once again, God was looking over me this morning. I walked out of my hotel, and boom... a bus was waiting for me with a sweet man saying "are you Michelle?". I just about melted with relief. It was great. The big bus took me to another big bus where I started my city tour! I got to see all sorts of cool areas of Sydney. This town is seriously one of the coolest cities ever. It's like the hustle and bustle of New York mixed with the historic charm of Charleston with a little laid back beachy feel of San Francisco (I've never been, but at least what I could imagine it would be like). 

We drove all around the city, I saw Macqueries Chair, some old english lady (the governors wife I think) used to sit there and wait for mail to arrive on the ships coming into the harbour... see below. You can tell how well I listened when the driver started talking about history... 

Just before I took this picture, a group of about 20 asian kids and their teacher asked me to take a picture of them. Of course there were like 5 different cameras. It was so funny. The teacher was like "don't just take like 1 or 2, can you take at least 6 or 8 with each camera?" Hilarious. I did, and all the kids were so sweet. I couldn't imagine taking that many kids on a field trip in such a big city! 

As we were leaving this park there was a group of camera men and the bus driver said the Manchester United team was about to come there for a group photo. I was like wait, I wanna stay and see them!!! I wanted that photo solely to impress Russell, Chase, Nick and Reed!!!! Oh speaking of Russell, I saw Russell Crowe's house!!! I was listening then!!!! :) Its the penthouse of the middle gray building. 

oops, that pic is in my room- I'll post it in a minute-- 

I got a cappuccino and thought of how much mom would love to run out here.... this ones for you mom... that's a running trail all along the sea wall. I sat there for a little while taking the sights in while I drank my cappuccino and I just kept thinking to myself, "HOLY cow, I'm in Australia, I'm in Australia, I'm in Australia, I actually did it!!!! (I squealed, 'did it' in my head just like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde- yes dad, you know exactly what decibel I'm talking about! haha) It felt so surreal. Just as I was admiring the sights and feeling so incredibly blessed, I saw yet another whale!! Just right out in the harbour-- lance's camera takes too long to turn on, so I didn't get a pic :( Super neat! 

Next we made our way around to Potts Point neighborhood- apparently thats where all the "backpackers" like to party, they have 24 hour bars and lots of "bottle shops" (liquor stores). Then we went to Double Bay or otherwise known as "Double Pay" (corny joke from the bus driver commentary... haha) He said its comparable to Rodeo Drive, the cheapest house is  6 million. No biggie. I sent a pic to Andrew and told him I found our future home... 

typical tourist... its Australia's Got Talent.. I got a giggle out of that for some reason! 

Next stop, Bondi Beach... Like totally rad dude... It's like the number one most visited beach? Huge surfer beach, I felt like I was living Blue Crush. This is where I'm staying tomorrow night. Super excited about it! 

One night when I couldn't sleep I watched this reality show about the lifeguards of Bondi Beach, they do like up to 40 rescues a day because of the bad undertow. This tower was the set of the show. I felt pretty cool- I looked for the lifeguards on the show but I didn't see anything but really cute surfer dudes (don't worry Andrew, I was just admiring the scenery!) ;) 

Once we got back to the city, I jumped on the second part of my tour, the Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise. The tour guide basically escorted us (us meaning me and a couple I met on the morning tour from London... cool) onto the boat so I didn't have to worry about finding my way around! Here's our boat... 

and the inside.... 

fancy huh? The hostess showed me to my two tables... yes, I had a table inside and a table outside all to myself! For the first time really I felt a little sad to be alone. then I realized it was another FIRST!!!

First time to eat at a restaurant all by myself! (I guess it counts as a restaurant, right?) 

The food was pretty yummy... 

HEY! FIRST time to take a picture of my plate of food! (haha) 

Oh, and please note the big shrimp eyes staring at you in this picture. 

FIRST time to eat a shrimp while it was looking at me! I was going to just go for it, so I started peeling it and as I tried to squeeze the head off, shrimp guts started spewing out- seriously like up and over the railing. I put that sucker down so fast. 

After some encouraging words from Andrew :) I started up a conversation with the couple next to me, Tim and Tracy (Andrew, are you proud of me for remembering their names??!!! :) ) Oh and am I so glad I did. They were from Cairns, visiting Sydney for the game tonight. They were quite the characters. I asked them what all there was to see and do in Cairns, Tim said , "Drink Beer!" haha. Okayyyyy! Really, you live next to one of the 7 wonders of the world and that's what you tell me to do in Cairns! I got to educate Tim all about American football- he said its the most confusing thing he's ever seen, "blokes tackling blokes that don't even have the ball", haha. He tried to explain rugby to me. He lost me after he started talking about in one league all the guys pile on the guy with the ball, but the other league they pick up the ball and keep running. HUH? He did tell me I have to "GO BLUES" tonight... 

They kept talking about all the aboriginals in Cairns... I finally realized that was their slang for black people. I was like how about calling them African Americans... then I caught myself, wait, I guess they wouldn't be African "Americans", not americans... blonde moment. After some other "stimulating" conversation about all of Tim's crocodile encounters in Cairns, they offered me their extra room to stay in while I am in Cairns (um...... no thanks) and they invited me to a real Australian BBQ at their house! I couldn't tell if they were just extremely friendly or creepy. Either way- great stories. Avoiding exchange of phone numbers I got Tim's email so I could "contact" him when I get to Cairns... nope. Watch, I'll probably run into them on the street when I get there. 

FIRST time to get invited to a "barbie"!!!  

Me and Tracy... This pic is "top notch" that's australian slang for cute?? 

That's another pic of the cruise boat... "Magistic Cruises" I couldn't decide if I should let them know they spelled it wrong.... 

After I got off the cruise boat I walked around Circular Quay (the area where the ferries and boats dock and right next to the Opera House). It was quite lively. There were people everywhere because its like the most beautiful perfect day God has ever created - thanks God for making this day while I am in Sydney! :) It was a "Goldilocks" day, 70 degrees, not too hot, not too cold! I saw these two ladies painting a picture of the harbour, it made me smile. There was a guy singing - he was really really good! I sat there and listened to him for a bit and let it all soak in a little more. 

Next HIGHLIGHT of my day... I discovered what a didgeridoo is!!!! I don't remember who told me about it, but I didn't know what it was, until TODAY! Check it out... I took a video because you have to hear it, but it wouldn't upload on the blog- sorry! Aaron's mom told me I have to bring back a picture of a Bunyip... no clue what that is, but I'm determined to find out on this trip! And, no, I refuse to cheat and google it!! 

I also saw one of these guys... Never seen a bird like this, but I've seen several... Granann, a little help? What is this? 

"Mine Mine Mine Mine Mine Mine" 

I got back to my hostel went up on the rooftop and started typing this post. Sorry, I have to brag again,  please check out my views at the moment... 

Despite the fact that I'm waking up next to strangers, did I seriously pay only $30 a night for this?! So sweet. 

I have plans to go grab dinner again with Laura from Germany and we are going to go watch the Rugby game somewhere by Darling Harbour. It's like the deciding game 3 between New South Wales and Queensland, according to Tim it's like the biggest game of the year (I'm thinking like Super Bowl?) and its right around the corner. This should be an interesting night! 

Day 2 Summary- 

Syndey is the coolest city I've ever been to. 

I used a blow dryer overseas successfully

I ate at a restaurant by myself for the first time

I tried to eat shrimp that was looking at me

I got invited to a real live Aussie BBQ

Saw a new bird I've never seen 

and... I learned what a didgeridoo is !!!!! 

Amazing, yet again... so looking forward to cuddling a Koala tomorrow and seeing the Blue Mountains!!! Best trip everrrrrrr!!!!