On Saturday, the two of us joined a city tour whose itinerary was as follow: Zoo, Dolphin Watching at Nelson Bay (which we didn’t see any and the cold and too windy boat journey was not very pleasant), sand boarding (which I like it very very much and would really like to have a replay of it!! Hmm, though few times I tasted the sands as they sometimes come in me in a literally mouthful), and visiting Port Stephen’s winery.
Before entering and wine tasting, firstly I visited the restroom to clean as many sands as I could from my body. The long bus journey afterwards was rather traumatizing as everyone was sleeping except me and the driver (of course!), it was too dark to read a book and definitely I couldn’t talk to myself, my M&Ms finished in few minutes only… So I just enjoyed the view and relished every moment, reminding myself that “Oh my God it’s a holidaaaaayyy!!!” (And I badly miss that thought now)
Sunday started later than any other days. Only around noon did we leave to East Ocean to have our Dim Sum lunch. I had an appointment to meet with my ex-classmate in 2nd year of high school so it was.. hmmm 7 years ago? Well, we didn’t change at all so we could easily spot each other. Went for shopping in QVB, took a peep in Market City and Paddy’s Market. We attended a sunset mass at Cathedral of Saint Mary, which was really huge and still has the olden touch in the architecture (not like Cathedral of Good Shepherd) but too bad the sound system wasn’t fantastic. But still, I think there is something about Cathedral which differentiates it from others. It’s the “ambience” which is beyond words (maksudnya, gua ga bisa ceritain di sini gitu – bilang aja males hehe).
Another city tour on Monday, our destinations were: Blue Mountain (where we walked in a Rain Forest – enjoyed it!!) and… *drum rolls* Jenolan Cave. It was breathtaking, it was magnificent, it made you wonder about the great things that nature can do. I have never seen as many crystals as what I saw inside the cave all my life. And each one of them embodied thousand years of history. Some crystals create a lace-like structure until you doubt that it’s crystal, convincing yourself that it is really a lace curtain.
Upon reaching Sydney (yup after another few hours of bengong-ing in the bus while reminding myself “Oh My God it’s a holidaaaaaayyy!!”), we joined the rest of the group in a dinner at Pancake on the Rock. We decided to go during weekdays to avoid the long queue.
Our next day was started quite late. We only left the apartment when it was almost noon and took a train to Bondi for shopping. In case I forgot to mentioned, I like shopping in Australia as it’s more to my size. While in Singapore I used to grab size M or L, in Australia size XS and S are made for me. Bondi is where I got my desk easel (thank you, Yen!!) and a series of nine mosaic canvases (to which I haven’t done anything ‘til now). They had this big sale for canvases which made them really, really, really cheap. Too bad, I would fly back alone, it’s just too troublesome. In late afternoon, my “companion” (watch out, this word may have many connotations!) drove to her place in Wollongong. It is to Sydney is like Tangerang to Jakarta. That’s what I need to consolidate my holiday; quietude.
The breakfast that I had on the next day was probably my best so far! It was simply idyllic, fantastic, elysian, you name it. The ambience was perfect, the food was marvelous, the macchiato was what I need for, this Diggies at North Wollongong Beach is a valid reason for you to drive back to Wollongong whenever you visit Sydney. It was the “real” breakfast by the beach that I’ve found so far. Don’t compare it to Coffee Bean-ing or McDonalds-ing in east coast, you’ll find it so hard to blow up your imagination. Lucky us to go during weekdays, we didn't need to queue. According to my “companion” it may take a full 45 minutes (or more) during weekend to get a seat. Even so, the waiting time is very much worth it. Having been full of salmon, potatoes, eggs and some sausages (which was concocted very nicely, of course) we strolled along and play around the North Wollongong Beach. After going back and washing up, off we went to the shopping area. Continued by visiting one (and perhaps the only one) tourism spot in Wollongong: Nan Tien Temple. It was located in a vast green land with lots of greeneries. As I am from a Buddhist family (though I am not one anymore), the temple and everything inside were not so foreign for me. The day was ended by a sumptuous dinner at Collegiate, I had some dory fish with avocado and mango sauce, if my memory still functions as it should.
And finally, the day to bid goodbye came, it was a sunny Thursday. The morning was spent by playing with Boxy for the last time (buuuuut…. *drum rolls* Boxy is coming to Singapore in two weeks time!! And yes, he will stay here afterwards). At around noon, we left Wollongong and headed to Hurstville. After having lunch there, off we went to Kingsfordsmith Airport and not long after, I was already in Qantas Airline and 8 hours later, the prevailing humidity of this country again embraced me…
Good bye Sydney, you’ve made my August an august August!! (not a repetition here, watch out the upper and lower case: adjective and noun)
So Long, Farewell… Á Bientôt!!
See you soon, Boxy!
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