Another item has been checked off my bucket list! While most people were enjoying the Thanksgiving festivities at home or their home away from home, I took my celebrations down under to Australia! This country has been on my bucket list for as long as I could remember and it was worth the wait! I’ve been back in Japan for two weeks and I’m already planning my next trip down under. The weather was perfect, Sydney is an amazing city with so much to offer, and the people were so friendly!
For those who are wondering, the toilet does not swirl in the opposite direction.
Anyways, the week of Thanksgiving, Japan had their “labor day” holiday which gave me a three day weekend. Of course, I turned this three day holiday into a week long holiday. Since I was only there for a week, I only had time for Sydney. I’ve learned Sydney is kind of like the NYC of Australia; there’s lots to do and it’s expensive.
Sydney has so much to offer, it’s a city where everyone can find something and be happy. From national parks, to city views, to beaches, you will always find something to do here. Plus, going in November, the weather was perfect! A little chilly at times, but the seasons are opposite from us so it was spring/ basically summer. It was amazing.
There are two national parks that are easily accessible by public transit. Garigal National Park and Blue Mountains National Park. Blue Mountains is a little farther away and have a lot more tourists but the hiking and the views are amazing. Garigal, a little quieter place is huge. One moment you’re walking in a residential area, the next you’re entering the national park. The views are amazing, the paths are not paved so it’s a little easy to go off track, but, it’s a lot of fun.
Aside from the national parks, there are two zoos, an aquarium, botanic gardens, the opera house (of course) and the Sydney Harbor bridge which you can make a reservation to climb. I only went to the Toronga zoo. It’s a pretty zoo, huge, and you can easily spend an entire day at that place. My hotel was a 3 minute walk to the harbor so I had a decent view of the opera house (when a cruise ship wasn’t blocking it).
My favorite part of my trip was probably climbing the Sydney Harbor bridge. The tour guide takes you all the way to the top and gives you a history of the bridge and of Sydney. You get a couple pictures taken which you can purchase at the end, and you get the most amazing view of the city.
Food wise, the Starbucks are scarce in Sydney but local cafe’s are not and they are so much better than what Starbucks has to offer. My favorite meals were at a cafe near the hotel. Aside from really good coffee, Sydney does an amazing job with gluten free options. I would go back to Sydney just to go on a gluten free food tour.
I can’t wait for my next trip to Australia. I’m hoping to go to Cairns to dive the Great Barrier Reef. Until then, I’m getting ready for other adventures! Starting this weekend, I’m going back Okinawa! As the temperatures slowly drop in Mito, I’m reminded more and more I’m meant for warm weather and not cold…. Let’s hope I don’t freeze my last winter in Mito!
