Sydney: Day ONE
Preface
It is now or never. Two months on, here I am trying to blog about that wonderous trip. Baby steps, I am going to take it slow and if I take months to finish blogging about it, so be it. Whatever it is, the memories stay on with me and the photos will always be a constant reminder of the silly things we did, the encounters we experienced, the friendships forged, the understanding of myself and of others.
The travelling group: ylong, nei, theresa, the BF and shortfart
Date Travelled: 14th June to 3rd July
Country: Australia – Sydney, Brisbane/Gold Coast and Melbourne
Cost of Tickets: Taxes inclusive – SGD1000+ — cheap, cheap – from Qantas fair, but tickets were pre-swine-flu 
Aussie Trip I – Sydney
#1 Mandatory group picture at Singapore Changi Airport before we depart
#2 The man-slaves,as Ylong puts it. I call them Mr Musclesto carry my luggage(s)
#3 The female travellers – Theresa and Me
#4 The BF and I – hopefully, when we are 70 and just the two of us, we can still be travelling around the world, together
#5 Our virgin train ride to downtown Sydney
#6 Finally, a street I call my own. 
To Sydney, to Sydney… we went on a A380 jetplane. It came as quite a surprise to us as none of us knew that Qantas flies the A380. Truth be told, it was actually my second time sitting on a more atas (the last was some China airlines for my secondary 3 school trip to Yunnan) and non-budget airline. I was really excited with the in-flight entertainments and kept my 7 hours rather occupied with movies, tetris and sudoko and peppered that with bouts of sleep in between. I skipped the meals but took all the little snacks and drinks given, I especially love the ice cream they served, Crunch? – yumms!
When we finally reached Sydney, the sky was already dark – given that they are 2 hours ahead of us and the sun sets earlier in winter. We were the lost tourists walking up and down the airport trying to figure out the best way to the city. After much consideration, we decided that we should take the cheapest alternative to downtown – by the Airport Link train.
We were recommended by the control station personnel that it will be quite worthwhile for us to purchase the 7-day pass since we will be in Sydney for quite a number of days and that marked our first big-ticket purchase in Australia. It was also here that we got ka-ed when we purchased the postcard for CaptainBu’s birthday (a surprise that ylong suggested even before the trip).
It took us all in all less than a half hour train ride before we reached our station and then it was more dragging and heaving of luggages (actually more so for the guys than me) up flights of stairs, up and down slopes, stopping and asking for directions before we finally found our home for the next 5 days – Travelodge.
We booked two connecting rooms – one for the boys and one for the girls and quickly deposited our luggage before proceeding for a late dinner. Before we left though, we sorted out and set aside money for “Team Fund – Australia”, the money we will use to pay for the team expenses. Hehe. We headed to “Hungry Jacks”. It was a quick but unfulfilling meal. At that moment in time, I was reeling from the experience of seeing angmohs everywhere – drunk, holding hands, serving me, clearing tables, in their chic winter wear – and the feeling was rather surreal. I have never seen as many angmohs in one place before Australia – hehe. Damn suaku lar!
It was an early night for us since we were all rather tired but of course not before we grabbed some tidbits and a few litres of water for the ever thirsty BF and ylong. After we all freshened up, we all promptly snuggled into bed.
If I recall correctly, it was also the night that we opened up and spilled the beans on a lot of things, some of which (or rather most of which) MUST stay in Sydney.
I found out alot about myself and while the truth was a lil’ hurtful to hear, I’m glad in the abyss of the dark room, there were friends who opened up and allowed me to learn more about myself. It was revealingly truthful and on hindsight, I do appreciate it.
Talk to Shortfart