Saturday, 20 February 2016

Australia's do's & dont's and Sydney's to do list


In such a big country, it may be a bit hard to actually make a plan to travel around, I know I had a bit of a hard time and between internet and my lonely planet, nothing would’ve been better than actually being able to talk to someone who had already been there before, so I’m going to make things easier for someone by stating what people should or shouldn’t do whilist in Australia.  


For starters it may be a bit of a shock to all but although a very western like country, they’re nothing like another country I’d ever seen before. Starting with the fact that they have animals you can’t see anywhere else in the world all the way to a form of life with unique customs. I mean what other country in the world chose their capital between their two biggest cities just because “if I can’t have it, neither can you.”

But back to the whole what to do in Australia: 

Do’s

-Do wear sunblock, especially if it’s spring-summer, I got some pretty great looking red tan lines, but I don’t recommend them to anyone.

-Do ask whatever it is you don’t understand, Australians have a pretty weird vocabulary at first so if someone says they’ll meet you at quarter past one in the arvo at the Tiger Mottle in Paddo, just ask what the hell they mean.

-Do try every single thing they hand you: vegemite, tim tams, milo, ANZAC biccys, Lamingtons, caramel slices, sausage sangers, fairy bread, jelly squares, kangaroo and everything with beetroot cause they really love it, it is all good, try it all; except VBs cause even they know that’s the trashiest beer they make. But definitely and absolutely try tim tam slams, you can’t leave without having at least one, and I can practically say you’ll have more than just one.

-Do obey wild animal signs, they aren’t there just because, we know Australia has a very diverse wildlife and they love that, but they survive because they don’t mess around with it, so pay attention to the tiniest of spiders walking past you cause it might as well be the most poisonous animal you’ll ever encounter. 

-Do embrace the fact you are there and live it to the fullest, Australia has a lot to offer and to enjoy. I hope everyone falls in love with it as much as I did.

Don’ts

-Do not meet anyone with anything other than a handshake, I got some pretty weird looks while leaning in for a kiss, which is normal in Mexico but apparently, and after like 5 “what are you doing”s I realised wasn’t very common way to greet new people there.

-Do not be surprised the lack of clothing at beaches like Lady Jane, it is not uncommon to find nude beaches around Sydney. You wanted to find a very liberal country in this world: jackpot 

-Do not tip unless you really want to, prices usually include service already so don’t hesitate when it’s great but don’t get worried if you just don’t give anything.

-Do not believe trains will leave on time, they almost never do.

-Don’t miss out on doing everything and travelling everywhere, be sure to submerge yourself into the culture, Australians are some of the most welcoming people I have ever met and willing to help you have the best of times while you’re there. 

And now to the most interesting part of it where to? 

When in Sydney you should definitely go for a walk around Circular Quay, Opera House, Sydney harbour Bridge and all that usual pretty touristy stuff but do not miss out on taking the bridge climb which is one of the most exhilarating things I’ve ever done, it’s not every day you walk above cars and the ocean on some metal welded together.
 
By the time you’re done with the three hour bridge climb which I hope you take when the sun is rising, Sydney’s most beautiful time of day, you should definitely go have some breakkie down at The Rocks and the best pancakes in town, especially if you order chocolate with chocolate pancakes. 

In some very random nights (at least as far as I know) aussies like to put up some amazing fireworks around 9pm at Darling Harbour, be sure to go for a walk around the great restaurants that also happen to be there. 

When in Syd, do Bondi, but do not go there on a weekend/day off, you will find that it is hard to walk around hot sand and legs lying all around.  

Needless to say, the Queen Victoria Building is a most especially with a block of delicious Haigh’s chocolate. Once there maybe go for a stroll on beautiful Hyde Park or climb all the way up Sydney tower for a great sight of beautiful Sydney from its highest point. Pitt St Mall and everything around Martin place train station will definitely do for an evening of shopping and listening to great music from locals getting there act done there. I swear I bought one of the best records ever made for $10 to the best unknown band while walking through these streets.


Once the sun is down, the moon is up and the heat is finally winding down, it’s time to hit some bars around my personal best zone for it, Darling harbour. Cargo, Home and Helm gave me some of the best out of my usual Gong nights, out in Sydney. Of course it is not a very cheap night out but there are plenty of good deals that can be made not to spend so much and of course, the more the merrier. 

Thank you Australia, for being so great. 

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