21 March 2014
11.30 pm - departed from LCCT to Sydney.
22 March 2014 (Saturday)
10.30 am (Sydney time) - arrive Sydney. It took more than 1 hour to get clearance from Immigration and Custom.
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| With Talita at Sydney Airport |
Watson Bay is famous for it’s beach and botanical park. There were many people flocking the beach and park particularly on week end. On top of the hill, we could see the panoramic view of open ocean toward New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji.
From Watson Bay, we took a bus to Bondi Beach which is famous for its crystal clear water and long white beach. Beside swimming, Bondi Beach is an attraction for water surfers to test their skills.
We took a bus from Bondi Beach to Bondi Junction, then a train to Victoria Square. We had afternoon tea at Queen Victoria Building (an old building). Then, we took a bus to George St. Our tour today ended here and the time was 5.00 pm. Back to hotel.
23 March 2014 (Sunday)
Jessica (a lecturer from University of Woolangong) picked us at hotel at 9.30 am. With her volkswagen car we went to Blue Mountain which took about 2 hrs to reach. Blue Mountain is famous for its unique formation. Beside its amazing view, Blue Mountain used to be a coal mine area. Jessica bought us entrance tickets (AUD35 per person) which entitle us to board a ‘steep train’, tram and skyway, and bush walk. We had good lunch at scenic cafe on top of the mountain with fascinating view of its surrounding. We spent several hours here and back to Sydney at 4.30 pm.
24 March 2014 (Monday)
A friend, Alla met us at the hotel lobby at 9.30 am and took us to the Rock area. She is just like a personal tour guide for us as she enlightened us about the history of modern Sydney which was began at the Rock where convicts from England were first settled here. The Australian government has maintained this area as of its origin. After spending a few hours here, we went to Circular Quay to take a ferry to Manly. Alla was not able to join us as she has class in the afternoon.
We reached Manly at about 12.30 pm and walked to the beach which is opposite the jetty. As we reached the beach, rain fell. From the shops’ 5-foot , we could see many surfers enjoying themselves surfing in the sea. We did some shopping particularly looking for souvenirs. It was not a good day for those who wish to swim at Manly beach today. When the rain receded, we took 3.45 pm ferry to Circular Quay, then bus to Leisure Inn Hotel. Reached hotel at 5.00 pm
25 March 2014 (Tuesday)
Took a bus to Circular Quay at 9.00 am and then went to Paramatta town by ferry. The journey by ferry was about 1 hour 45 minutes which traversed the Sydney bay and Paramatta river. Spent about 1 hour at Paramatta town and back to Sydney by ferry again. We dropped by at Darling Harbour and walked back while window shopping. Stopped at Queen Victoria Building (iconic building in Sydney) to have a drink while surfing internet for free. From QVB, took a bus to Railway Square and back to hotel. After a short rest, we went to Oxford Street at Darling Hurst for dinner. Having briyani after four days without taking any rice. At 7.20 pm, back to hotel by bus.
26 March 2014 (Wednesday)
7.30 am - walked to Central to take a train to Newcastle. The journey was about 3 hours. We spent about 30 minutes and back to Sydney by train again. It was a wonderful ride with multitude and panoramic views of Sydney countryside. Reached Sydney at about 3.00 pm. Got a tram to Paddy’s Market for souvenirs.
27 March 2014 (Thursday)
Check-out at 7.30 am and left luggage at hotel. Went to Opera House by bus. Spending several hours taking pics and window shopping, back to Paddy’s Market for more shopping. Back to hotel to take bags and ahead to airport by taxi (AUD25). Reached airport at 2.30 pm. While waiting for check-in process, I strolled around the foyer looking for Musalla (prayer room). It is situated at the first floor where many airline offices are located. The prayer room was indeed for Muslim and Christian. Flight departed at 9.30 pm to Malaysia. Reached LCCT at 3.00 am (Malaysian time)
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| Curtin University is not far from our hotel |
