My friend Lenny took me to the airport. Guess what? My flight to San Francisco was going to be two hours late so I would miss my flight to OZ. I heard over the loud speaker to go to the station and they put me on United flight 705 to Los Angeles. I sat in between two nice young ladies. One from Melbourne and one from Olympia. I got lots of good tips from Australian woman in her mid thirties. The Olympia woman ran a Christian bookstore on corner of Cooper Point road and Mud Bay Road. Then I took United 839 to Sydney
Day 2 (?) July 29
Lost at the International date line.
Day 3 July 30 Wednesday
I arrived and had no trouble at customs and took the train to Central Station. Three blocks north was the Nomads Maze hostel. The room has a bed and a table.. I took a half hour nap then headed off to look at cars, etc. I opened a bank account, and bought a phone, I saw several campervans at the car market and also at Traveler Auto barn which has a nice guarantee and reasonable buy back. I tentative can get a van on Monday since it will take several days to transfer money. I cooked a nice dinner of fried pots with onions, steak and tomatoes. Groceries are more expensive than a t home,. Gas I am told is about A$1.7 a liter which works out to $6.50 a gallon US. Whee, guess I will have to transfer more money.
Day 4 July 31 Thursday
Got up about 5:30, my normal time and went and made some coffee and oatmeal with apples. Yumm. Went to Vodaphone because I could not add minutes for some reason and had them help. Went to Commonwealth bank and had them fax the Credit Union to send money. They said it could take three business days and the bank will be closed on Monday. No car probably until Tues. More to see in Sydney. I spent about 4 hours touring the water front. Harbor Bridge, Opera House, Circular Quay, Macquaries Point and botanical garden. Saw the famous Wollemi pine which they found north of Sydney and it dates back to the dinosaurs.
Day 5 August 1 Friday
I had a very good nights sleep. After breakfast went to local travel association (like AAA) and got free maps for all over Australia. After an early lunch went to China town and Darling Harbor which is a very touristy area with lots of restraints. It was very windy and cloudy today. Lots of people walking around and eating out. Stopped at one of the harbor eateries and bought a six dollar beer. It has been in the low 40’s (10C) in the morning and in the high 60’s to low 70’s (20 C) during the day. Bought a Australian bird book since I already have seen an Australian white ibis. And lots of seagulls too. Went to a wine and cheese party here at the hostel which started at 8 which is close to me bed time. Met an older lady who gave me lots of hints about places to see. She is from Quebec, Canada and has been here six times for at least two months each.
Flying Foxes
Darling Harbor Woolemi Pine
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