Initially, we rode a bus from the outskirts of the University campus to the opposite side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, then another bus back to just the other side so that we could walk across it. There are two ways you can cross the bridge by walking. The free way and the non-free way. The non-free way costs A$230, though you get to go across the uppermost arch of the bridge while tied down to the steel beams in a sweet safety suit. On a college budget, we naturally chose the free way.
Before we began the trek across the bridge, we first went inside one of the granite piers that guard each side of the bridge. We paid for a walk through of the museum, which provided interesting artifacts and stories about how the bridge was completed. Once we had satisfied our interests in the museum, we continued to climb up and up and up inside the pier to the top of it. From there, we were able to get an absolutely spectacular panoramic view of all of Sydney, as far as the eye could see. It was fairly windy and a touch on the chilly side with a few clouds blocking the sun, but it was fantastic weather on the whole. Here are some of those views.
After enjoying the view for some time, we climbed down to the base of the pier and then walked the full span of the bridge across the Harbour, then all the way back to get to the downtown side of the Harbour.
After trekking the bridge, we went to the Museum of Sydney to check out some of the history behind the founding of the city and whatever else the museum might hold. The museum was not too awful far from the bridge, but we did have to walk several city blocks to get there.
Upon arrival, Anoop paid our entry and we spent the next hour or more pouring over the two-level museum. Plenty of ships and cultural information was present, although generally speaking I found the museum to be a bit dull. There were some neat artifacts dating back centuries that were neat to behold, but overall there did not seem to be a gratuitous amount of information that I expecting to encounter.
After finishing the touring of the museum, we parted ways with Profs Hein and Anoop and went to go find some lunch. It was about 2 o'clock Sydney time in the afternoon and we were quite hungry. We asked a lady behind the desk at the museum for a restaurant recommendation. She recommended a place back over near the Harbour Bridge called Pancakes on the Rocks. She drew us a short map and we set off to find it. Without too many problems, we found the restaurant, though it was quite crowded and we had to wait a good 20-30 minutes before our party could be seated. I originally intended to order a meal that included pancakes, but instead I got a meal of scrambled eggs, grilled pineapple, canadien bacon, and a coke.
WARNING: AUSTRALIA DOES NOT DO REFILLS FOR ANYTHING.
Also, portions are much smaller and unfortunately that includes the size of glasses. A$2.50 for an 8oz glass filled completely with ice and about 2oz of coke. Even McDonald's cooperates! The largest drink cup they have is what is considered a medium in America. Here in Australia, it is considered a large. They do not have an extra large size.
The food was delicious, though the service was worse than horrible. Our first waiter who took our drink and food orders never returned. Somehow another server showed up with our drinks and yet another server came with our food. Still another server brought water to the table and finally, after many joyous hours, our original server brought us the check (slight exaggeration here).
After lunch, I headed back with a group of folks to the University to get some things done for the next day. Our papers over the movie were due the next morning as well as the test over the book. I spent the afternoon putting the finishing touches on the papers and getting some pictures uploaded and updating the blog. I went out with a few folks for a late dinner at a fast food place near the University. It was a decent chicken sandwich, though next time I will make sure and ask for it without mayo.
After eating I came back to Wesley College to my room and pretty much fell asleep, waking up periodically, only to fall asleep once more.
End Day 2
Did they have DP?
ReplyDeleteActually, I did see cans of DP in a convenient store as we sped by on a bus, but I have not seen it anywhere else nor find that store again!! Absolutely every soft drink product in every single restaurant is Coca-Cola. Pepsi can be found on the occasion, but it's tough going finding DP. Also most 20oz drinks are A$3.50 to $A4.00 in stores and vending machines. :O
ReplyDeleteCoke > Pepsi, DP, etc., etc.
ReplyDeleteIf a 20oz coke wasn't A$4 (more than $4 in America), you would be in Heaven at every single restaurant and food store!
ReplyDelete