Solo time

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I have had some solo time thanks to my family. I booked a weekend away to Sydney just before our European vacation. Although it didn't feel like good timing at the time, I'm glad I went. I needed another escape after 5 weeks into the third term of school. We were feeling quite unsettled. I had a great weekend away catching up with Sydney friends and staying in a trendy hotel.

Day One: Fri, 23 August 2019
19.7°C
Murrays Bus: Depart Canberra Jolimont Centre 4:00pm Arrive Sydney Central 7:30pm
Ramen Zundo, World Square; Shortstop Coffee & Donuts, Darling Quarter
West Hotel, 65 Sussex St
16,511 steps

I left straight from work and walked to the bus station to catch my bus to Sydney. It was still half an hour before the scheduled departure and already there was a queue of about 30 people in front of me. The bus filled up quickly and left as soon as it was full which was about 10 minutes early. It was a long 3.5 hours but I was fine listening to music most of the way.

My friend, Ryan, met up with me at Central Station and we walked to get a late ramen dinner at World Square. I always get a bit of culture shock when first arriving in Sydney - so many people around compared to Canberra. We walked through the new Darling Quarter and again I was amazed by how many people were out late. The new Kürtősh (bakery) was packed at 9pm! Ryan and I tried a delicious New Orleans Iced Coffee CRULLER (donut) at Shortstop.

Checking into West Hotel was easy. The decor was dark and modern. There were free snacks and bottles of water in my room. There was also a coffee pod machine and bluetooth speakers both in my room and bathroom. I was given a room on the third floor, street side. Luckily the road wasn't so busy and noisy.

Day Two: Sat, 24 August 2019
25.5°C
Wild Sage, Barangaroo; Roll'd, Myer Food Court; Mr. Bao Buns, Pasta Wafu and SAGA, Darling Square
Barangaroo Reserve, Circular Quay, Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground, Darling Square
Transport NSW Bus: St James to SCG, Fitzroy St to Elizabeth St
Sydney Swans vs St Kilda Saints
20,128 steps

I met up with more friends, Themy and Mandy, the next morning. We walked from the hotel to Barangaroo and ate breakfast at Wild Sage. The food and coffee was good. We walked off our breakfast and went to Barangaroo Reserve to Circular Quay and then down to Pitt Street. I did a bit of shopping at Uniqlo. From there we said bye to Themy and Mandy and I went to get some takeaway lunch before heading to the SCG for the final Swans home game of the season. We bought food from the Myer ground level food court and caught the bus from the city to the game. It was a great game and good fun. The weather was perfect. The Swans won 109 to 64. We saw the players up close and the field was open to the public afterwards.

I said bye to Mandy after the game and headed back into the city to meet up with Themy and family. We had dinner at Darling Square in the food hall at the Exchange and met up with another friend, Augustine. We all had more good food and were stuffed. It was good to walk all the way back to my hotel and catch fireworks along the way.

Day Three: Sun, 25 August 2019
22.9°C
Murrays Bus: Depart Sydney Central 12:00pm Arrive Canberra Jolimont Centre 3:30pm
La Renaissance Patisserie and Cafe, The Rocks; Shortstop Donuts, Darling Square
18,333 steps

As check out was not until 12pm, I went out for a walk back to Circular Quay and Barangaroo Reserve. I stopped at The Rocks and found breakfast at a popular cafe. I people watched and ferry watched for a while before walking all the way back to my hotel. It was another beautiful day in Sydney. After checking out and with all my bags in tow, I walked from my hotel to Central Station via Darling Square. I bought more donuts from Shortstop to bring home to Canberra. The bus ride back was uneventful and I was happy to be greeted by my family when I arrived. My legs were sore for the next few days.