A TRIP TO THE LAND DOWN UNDER – Sydney, Australia

Our trip to Sydney was for the Rotary 2014 International Convention which happened to coincide with my birthday J

We took the Manila – Kuala Lumpur – Sydney route via AirAsia.   I am a usual flight snoozer but being out of Asia for the first time kept me awake all the way.  The Indonesia – Australia pass was a long journey but the moment the next land mass was at sight, I was caught in awe… I startled hubby of the reddish landscape down under, I thought I was out of earth for a while. LOL.

After a long 9-hour ride, we finally touched-down.  It was already 7pm and tummy was ravening out of control, even forgot it was the eve of my birthday.  We saw a McDo store at the arrival where we had our first Aussie chew.  Can’t help myself from comparing our local price with theirs, about 3 times more.  Well…

After our quick bite, we joined the other arriving participants being welcomed by the Rotarian ushers.  Then right outside the arrival area, another welcome billboard greeted us.  I was a proud Rotarian then and can’t wait for tomorrow and the rest of the days…

Our actual trip minus the in-between convention programs as follows:

Day 1

·         Touchdown Sydney (Kingsford Smith ) Airport

Day 2

·         Attended the 2014 Rotary International Convention opening ceremonies at Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park

·         Watched Vivid Sidney – Light Show at Circular Quay

Day 3

·         Morning Stroll around Circular Quay – The Sydney Opera House

·         Wandered around Manly Beach

Day 4

·         Around Sydney - The Queen Victoria Building, St Mary's Cathedral and Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Cook And Phillip Park and Sydney TownHall

·         Bondi Beach and Bondi Park

Day 5

·         Around the University of Sydney

·         Attended the 2014 Rotary International Convention closing ceremonies at Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park

Day 6

·         At Blue Mountains National Park

Day 7

·         Around Darling Harbour – Wild Life Sydney Zoo, Sea Life Aquarium, Madame Tussauds, National Maritime Museum

·         The Sydney Tower

Day 8

·         Whale Watching

·         Around Circular Quay

·         The Royal Botanic Garden, the Government House and Mrs. Macquarie's Chair

·         Flight back to Kuala Lumpur

The New South Wales Government wanted visiting Rotarians to fully explore all that New South Wales has to offer.  We had a free transit pass that we just need to present for access to ferries, buses and trains and it covered even the Blue Mountains.  That was the reason why we kept hopping from one place to the next…

We’ve been to a few of Asian developed countries but Australia was somehow different.  The culture, the laid-back feel, the security, being family centered, and the weather was a revelation unforeseen.  It honestly drew an inviting drift – best place to raise a family, and up until today, the idea lingered.  Until then…

For a DIY traveler like us, Tripomatic was very helpful.  It has a detailed information about tourist attractions and the map are user-friendly, easy to follow.

Travel Date: May-June 2014