Exploring Sydney

I planned my trip to Sydney not for leisure but to process a very important document needed for my stay here in Australia. Otherwise, I should have stayed at home and just did nothing. Good thing though that the adventurous side of me kicked in so instead of staying there for a day, I made it to 3 days just so I could roam around the city.

I searched the Internet for a budget room or a hostel where I could stay for the days and which must also be easily accessible to the consulate office where I would be processing my document. I found Sydney Backpackers located in the heart of the city and only 9 minutes’ walk to the office. There were unit options to choose from a single room to 16 bed mix dorm unit type and rates vary depending on the unit and how long you stay. You can check the link for more information.

I chose the 8 bed dorm unit type that costs $33 per night so I booked and paid for my 2 nights reservation which was only at $12.80. I paid the rest of the amount when I checked in.

I made an initial itinerary prior to my flight which was scheduled on the 13^th of Dec at 11:40 in the morning. I planned to check in to the hostel before going around and to do that, I needed to find the place first. The nearest place to the hostel is Town Hall. There are other transportation mode to take but since I am on a tight budget, I preferred to take the train.

Day 1: Upon arrival at Sydney Airport Terminal 1, I asked the information desk the way to Mascot Station. I did not take the train from the Airport going to the city because it is expensive for me. There is a station access fee about $13 to $15 plus the $3 something fare when you board from the Airport. I walked for about 15 to 20 minutes from the airport going to Mascot station and that made me save some bucks.

Get an Opal Card for public transportation

I bought an Opal card with an amount of $20 in it from a convenient store in Mascot rather than buying a single trip paper ticket which costs at $8. I used the card from that station to Town Hall for $3.60, checked in the hostel and rested for a while before going out at around 7 in the evening.


Exploring Sydney at Night

St. Andrews Cathedral

Queen Victoria Building

Along Queen Victoria Build

 

Along Pitt Street

Opera House

Harbour at night

   

  

Day 2. Monday

After my transaction at the consulate office, I decided to walk down to Darling Harbour. There are a lot of different souvenir shops around including ferry rides. From here, I decided to find the cheapest rides using my Opal card. I asked the first establishment I saw offering rides. The lady told me the rides start from $28 to more than $100 depending on the destination. When I asked if I could use the card, she said they are a private agency and that the opal card is only used in number 3 for public transport. I located that number and boarded the ship going to Circular Quay.   
 

Pope Francis

During Pope Francis' visit to Philippines on January 2015

 

Cañao

I and an immediate family went to a village somewhere in Baguio City to visit and see a friend. It was a 30 minute ride from the city going up to Aurora Hill and still further up. The jeepney stopped at a junction where all passengers got down and proceeded on their own way. 

We walked for almost 10 minutes before we reached the house of our subject. At the entrance of the house, I saw some busy men cooking and washing something. I had a closer look of what they were doing when we were invited to go inside the house. They were actually beating a B-cull. So I knew they were having a pinikpikan. 

We entered the house and I saw these skulls welcoming us. 

My curiosity kicked in so I asked the man who was one of the men cooking outside about those skulls. He said these are from the previous Cañaos happened in the family. It was during the owner's parents marriage, their death and the son's own marriage. 

Inside Arabic Kitchen

It's the month of Ramadan for our Muslim friends around the world. For this month, Muslims observe the whole daylight of fasting. No food. No water. Nothing at all. 

It was already past 6 in the evening when I went around Ermita in Manila. While walking around, I noticed some Muslims praying inside a glass walled room which was covered by a silk or see though white clothe. Most are men wearing a "cap" (i don't know how they call it) kneeling facing each other while praying. There was a music like chanting in the background. I've never been to a mosque but I saw how a mosque look like and I am not sure if that area where they pray is a mosque. 

I continued my walk and saw this restaurant. Out of curiosity, I went inside. I was a bit uncomfortable because I felt like I was a foreigner there. A friendly fellow Filipino approached and asked me what I want. I honestly told him what it got me there. After a few minutes of chit chats, I learned from him about their promotion which was eat all you can for P399.00 then convinced me to try their menu on that evening. I wanted to try but I was reluctant knowing that I was alone and did not know those kinds of food. I just told him I'll do that next time but I will bring some friends.

I asked if I could take pictures of the eat all you can food available on the table. He agreed so I took pix like a dumb, thanked the attendant and went out.

Arabic Kitchen outside 

Kulippo

Kulippo is an edible round snail found in the rice paddies. It is commonly referred as "kuhol" or "suso".