Oh crap on a cracker, what a write off of a day #16 was! Essentially all my plans were ruined by weather or not feasible with public transport. I felt like the Sydney sun is on house (SKY) arrest as it had been very Englandy, which was expected in Melbourne but not here. MEH. BAH. BOOOOO.
On a whim I popped by for the St Patrick Day parade; albeit it was not held on March 17th and came 2 days early. GREEN threw up all over the city!! The crowds were rowdy but the very charming Irish and their emerald raiments were out in full force. How patriotic! Sadly, it wasn't that much of a craic for there were no leprechauns and only a wee bit of Irish dancing. The waving kiddies were the cutest but I soon lost interest in the barely decorated floats... that is until lollies were thrown into the streets. Inspirited by the marching displays, I got into Irish mode with my green food too. Alas, my mushy avocado toasted sandwich wasn't the tantalising treat my tum had imagined it to be.
As a vacationer, you are essentially obliged to tour the outstanding world wonder down under aka The Sydney Opera House. Well, I'd be a possum's bottom not to take a bonafide, guided visit under the sails. The internationally recognised, zany architecture of this superstructure now epitomises Australia. What blows my mind, is how 233 designs were sent in for it as a competition!
*OTHER FACTS AND FIGURES*
- The winner, Jørn Utson only received $5000 for his blueprint
- It was originally estimated to cost 7 million dollars but when completed the sum was in excess of 102 MILLION!!!!!!
- In the main concert hall, it houses the largest, mechanical, grand organ in the world.
- The designer never got to see the finished masterpiece but what he accomplished is nothing short of astounding.
- The construction was largely funded by The National Lottery, who then pulled out of the project professing Utson's architectural plans to be unpractical.
- 'The highest roof shell is 67 metres above sea-level, the equivalent of a 22 storey building.'
- Operas are subtitled even if they are performed in English.
It was a fantastic day to do some sightseeing, as the sun shone (at this point of the afternoon) and the O/House didn't appear oooooglay when gleaming magically and mystically in the sunlight. NOW I can sorta see what all the fuss is about! Inside are 5 theatres in all and I believe there are talks of expansion but don't quote me on that :D Our tour guide recited his monologue as though he were starring in one of the theatrical productions. It was a good job I didn't have tickets to see a play as he blabbed spoilers about the endings and character deaths of some of the various stageshows taking place. I shan't pretend it was endlessly fascinating but it killed an hour or two and I was glad to have a nose around the old place and send my salutations.
Tumbled along to Tumbalong Park, with the aim of checking out the Thai festival being held that weekend. I was having a fine time watching the martial arts show, when without warning the rains fell upon us and we were all DRENCHED by the torrential downpour in seconds flat. Holy tarnations!!!! I'm fairly sure this came about as a byproduct of Cyclone Pam which was angrily kicking the ass of Northern Australia. Immediately, hundreds sought shelter; mine was found under a table umbrella, huddled among 20 others in a Thai fam. The things we do for culture! Soaked through and miserable as sin; all my other intentions for the day took a literal rain check. Respite away from the rain as it threatened to NEVER DESIST; resulted in me being a corporate sell out to Starbucks for hot choco.
MOOD MASSIVELY DAMPENED and clothes drastically wet through, comfort food was in order to warm and cheer me up. A humongous portion of chips with aioli sauce from a grotty dive of a dining establishment was exquisite upon my taste buds. Prayed this would be the last all-alone-and-wet-feeling-sorry-for-myself chapter in Sydney.. just as I was beginning to LIKE IT. WHY DID I EVER LEAVE MELBOURNE? Laundered my clothes back at the hostel rooftop; only to have them locked in while they were drying. Waiting ceaselessly, while the ferret of a receptionist took personal calls; ignoring the British chica, currently FUMING was not her wisest move. Before these irritants got RIANNED with rage, I put myself to bed not wanting to be further antagonised and hoping to wake up to a brighter day.
DAY 17 -
The day was spent Blue Mountaineering with James Corck, a guy I know from home; it was good to see a familiar face in a strange land and with him I knew I'd be in safe hands. This rugged region was named by a presumably, partially colour blind geezer for the range is 100% GREEN from where I was hiking. They are said to have a distinctive, blue haze due to the densely populated oil bearing eucalyptus trees.
Cooler conditions in the jungle shade were of immeasurable benefit to shelter me from the affliction of sunstroke. Before we set off from the village of Wentworth, nature came calling and I had to tinkle in a vile, public dunny which stunk to high heaven and was abounding with spider webs. Naturally, I got the hell out of there faster than Usain Bolt! Poor, my nostrils:(
Meandering commenced along an easy, level-pathed, UNsteep bushwalk and I was able to keep up with James' speed; hot on his heels (he may declare differently!!). Picturesque, photograph-able panaromas infested every direction we beheld. I wanted to stop and stare at the special sights before us every so often but the man blazed ahead like a bat out of hell. We really were in the heart of the mountains and holy crap, it was BEAUTIFUL. To fully breathe it in and appreciate the radiance of our surroundings is maybe more of a girly desire but I strongly exhort you to do so.
Along the windy course, we spied an echidna curled up, sticking its bum out at US. Here's a crass truth: these long-beaked mammals have a four-headed penis!!! It is getting to the point where I almost want to see a snake cos it's NOT an authentic Aussie exploration without a carnivorous reptile sighting! As such, I'm inclined to believe Oz are fibbing about some of their venomous, tropical creatures! Red headed, black bodied ants can be found in plenitude on the ground; take care to avoid an outbreak of fireants, dancing in your pants! :P
Up with the clouds, there is something so hypnotically mesmerising and sacred. Lush vegetation encircled us as did the majestic waterfalls of Wentworth and Empress Falls. To take a dip was very inviting but my sense of adventure was overpowered by my chubby girl reservations that I cannot rid myself of. The mist and spray felt as we walked by and under the cascading, crystal clear waters was both reinvigorating and rejuvenating. By the sum of my parts, I am just a chicken as I'd never have the guts to join the groups rapelling down the falls.
Boy Scouty James, urged me to confront my fears head on, which I took a crack at in spite of it violating the whole spirit of my cowardly constitution. One such instance was for an altitudinous selfie in the jungle on a bridge over a ravine. All my closest friends know full well that I am not a bold risk taker; so for James to encourage me onto rock boulders to look out over cliff ledges (much to my bedgrudgement) was an impressive feat.
On the highest parts of the overcliff trail, I predominantly looked directly at the path ahead; in doing so I missed much of the stunning scariness and ensured no creepies were crawling over my feeties at the same time. I hate, LOATHE AND DESPISE the stairs that turned my legs to jelly!!!!! James was giving me plenty of positive reinforcement to power through to the top but it made me feel sick and dizzy as it was TOOOOOOO hard and there were TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many, so I lagged far behind. I'm still recollecting that this was the stupidest location to place them. It wouldn't be a problem, if you're awesome at this kind of step scaling!! Before the encounter with my enemy, I fancied myself as having a bad ass day :D
In all, we only walked 10k or so but it was over some tough terrain which made it seem further. It was grand to catch up with Corcky regardless of my inadequate mountain rambling prowess :D Glad to have seen these sights and catch up with an old mate, in Australia no less. After completing 4 of the hundreds of walking tracks the Blue Mountains offered up, it was straight into a cold shower to freshen up from the smelly welliness. Yet another 'Grandma' bush tuckered evening was had as this goofy goat's energy was killed.
The day was spent Blue Mountaineering with James Corck, a guy I know from home; it was good to see a familiar face in a strange land and with him I knew I'd be in safe hands. This rugged region was named by a presumably, partially colour blind geezer for the range is 100% GREEN from where I was hiking. They are said to have a distinctive, blue haze due to the densely populated oil bearing eucalyptus trees.
Cooler conditions in the jungle shade were of immeasurable benefit to shelter me from the affliction of sunstroke. Before we set off from the village of Wentworth, nature came calling and I had to tinkle in a vile, public dunny which stunk to high heaven and was abounding with spider webs. Naturally, I got the hell out of there faster than Usain Bolt! Poor, my nostrils:(
Meandering commenced along an easy, level-pathed, UNsteep bushwalk and I was able to keep up with James' speed; hot on his heels (he may declare differently!!). Picturesque, photograph-able panaromas infested every direction we beheld. I wanted to stop and stare at the special sights before us every so often but the man blazed ahead like a bat out of hell. We really were in the heart of the mountains and holy crap, it was BEAUTIFUL. To fully breathe it in and appreciate the radiance of our surroundings is maybe more of a girly desire but I strongly exhort you to do so.
Up with the clouds, there is something so hypnotically mesmerising and sacred. Lush vegetation encircled us as did the majestic waterfalls of Wentworth and Empress Falls. To take a dip was very inviting but my sense of adventure was overpowered by my chubby girl reservations that I cannot rid myself of. The mist and spray felt as we walked by and under the cascading, crystal clear waters was both reinvigorating and rejuvenating. By the sum of my parts, I am just a chicken as I'd never have the guts to join the groups rapelling down the falls.
Boy Scouty James, urged me to confront my fears head on, which I took a crack at in spite of it violating the whole spirit of my cowardly constitution. One such instance was for an altitudinous selfie in the jungle on a bridge over a ravine. All my closest friends know full well that I am not a bold risk taker; so for James to encourage me onto rock boulders to look out over cliff ledges (much to my bedgrudgement) was an impressive feat.
In all, we only walked 10k or so but it was over some tough terrain which made it seem further. It was grand to catch up with Corcky regardless of my inadequate mountain rambling prowess :D Glad to have seen these sights and catch up with an old mate, in Australia no less. After completing 4 of the hundreds of walking tracks the Blue Mountains offered up, it was straight into a cold shower to freshen up from the smelly welliness. Yet another 'Grandma' bush tuckered evening was had as this goofy goat's energy was killed.
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