Today I decided to go into Sydney and take something off of my bucket list. I went to Parramatta Station and bought an Opal card which is just a prepaid card for using transportation (same as Oyster card in London). My plan was to take a train from Parramatta to Wynyard station. Per the norm even the best laid track can need maintenance. So I ended up taking a free bus from Parramatta to Olympic Park (yes where the 2000 Olympic Games were held). From there I took an express train (thank you Mr transport guy) to Townhall station.
I stopped for lunch at Hungry Jacks. After I finished eating, I proceeded to walk to Market Street and towards Darling Harbour. It was a beautiful day for a walk. Lots of really nice buildings and a great breeze (don’t worry I wasn’t anywhere near needing a sweater). Then I walked up a pedestrian bridge to overlook the harbor and get some pictures (which are here).
So finally, the time had arrived for me to go to Sydney Aquarium!!!! I was going to see a real live Dugong!!!! So I went to the Aquarium and bought myself a little birthday present (just as a reminder it is a month from yesterday). I bought a year pass (yeah I know I wont be here a year) for 5 attractions. Pretty excited about that. I can go as much as I want whenever I want and it was a good deal. Actually, I am really excited about that!
Anywho, so I pretty much didn’t look at any of the sea creatures as I was so on a mission to see the Dugongs. Finally I was in the tunnel and one swam overhead. They looked much different from a manatee which surprised me. I think manatees are still cuter but these were pretty cool. I mean how many people can say that they have seen a dugong? (No I don’t care that most people wouldn’t want to). The aquarium was really nice and very interactive. I stopped for a moment in the gift shop but didn’t get anything. I am being el cheapo but I do have to say that I don’t think souvenirs there were anymore than anywhere else which is a surprise. Oh and I got a crushed penny but they didn’t have a Dugong one which was dumb! That probably goes without saying though.
After I left there I took this trolley ride around Darling Harbour to see the other sights. They had a really nice park there (Tumbalong). The train driver said that it is the nicest park in Australia for kids. Then I walked back to the train station. On my way I went into this really posh mall (it had ac and I could walk through it to get to the station). Lots of nice things there. They even had a Coach store which I wouldn’t even want to think about! I got back to the station and boarded a train to Olympic Park. Once I got there, I figured why get off. I had nothing better to do and it had ac. So I then rode the train for about 2 hours. I went north all the way to Berowra It was nice. I got to see some nice scenery. Finally, I arrived back at Olympic Station and boarded a bus (after quite a walk) to come back to Parramatta. I arrived home and scarfed down some supper. As a side note, cottage cheese here is much thicker.
So today was a success. Dugongs were way up on my list with Luna Park. I also don’t think I have ever taken the train on my own. Maybe my job is helping me. No, it was just really easy. It will be even better when the track maintenance is over. Tomorrow I think I might head back but I have to see if my feet are still there in the morning. Sorry about the poor quality aquarium pictures. I don’t think it would have been as bad if I had taken them in the tunnel. The daylight was a killer. I had more pictures but for some reason it takes an eternity to upload them and my patience (or lack of) could not deal with that.
I hope everyone is having a great weekend!