Today, Daniel and I embarked on a visit to the Sydney Tower Eye. The morning kicked off at 9 am with me groggily rising and heading for a much-needed shower. However, the horror awaited me in the form of clogged toilets and a 15-minute wait. Regretfully, my sandals were trapped in my car, leaving me to brave the showers barefoot.
As I stepped into the shower cabin, I couldn’t help but notice the grim conditions – hair, muddy floors, and the occasional cockroach made for an unforgettable experience. To minimize contact with the questionable cleanliness, I strategically placed my shoes in the only spot that seemed remotely clean. Reflecting on this escapade in 2021, the goosebumps still linger.
The culmination of my hostel woes extended beyond the unsavory showers. Clogged toilets and now this? It was a testament to my sheer determination to endure. A piece of advice: steer clear of this hostel – it’s not worth the ordeal. I vividly recall Lisa at the front desk lamenting a co-worker’s cleaning mishap, sealing the fate of my memorable yet dreadful stay.
A Walk to my Car
Post-shower, I tidied up with a shave at one of the sinks and shot a text to Daniel. Having recently switched dorms, reaching him wasn’t as straightforward anymore, given his new location in the other room. Fortunately, he was awake and promptly responded, expressing his reluctance to accompany me on the walk to the car.
Undeterred, I embarked on a solo 20-minute journey to Kings Cross, making my way to where my car was parked on some street. The realization hit – I had forgotten my padlock, and the desire for a locker to secure my essentials (laptop, camera, and money) was paramount. Refusing to cough up 6 dollars for a padlock at the reception, I opted to rely on the three I already had in my car.
Navigating the journey is no small feat, thanks to the imposing hill near Kings Cross. The hostel to my car spans a challenging two kilometers, nestled on New Beach Road by Rushcutters Bay Park. As I trudged along, memories of Daniel and me dining at the nearby Subway just the night before flashed back. Resigned to the hostel’s subpar kitchen conditions, I made a firm decision – breakfast would be at Subway on my way back. The idea of eating outdoors became my refuge; the hostel’s kitchen had lost its appeal entirely.
At my car, I not only snagged my padlock but also opted for a sweater and jeans. On my return, I swung by Subway for breakfast, and it was fantastic. Eager to share the delight with Daniel, I messaged him, knowing his fondness for Subway, even though he couldn’t splurge on it like I did. In a playful tone, I jokingly hinted that something was amiss. Swiftly and with concern, he responded, seeking details on what was happening and offering his assistance.
Following that, I countered with a snapshot of me relishing a sub. A chuckle ensued, but Daniel seemed a tad on edge. He expressed his genuine concern, thinking I might be in some kind of trouble. Assuring him all was well, I assured him I’d be back in 15 minutes and advised him to head to the library; we could catch up later. The goal for the morning was to bask in the library’s excellent internet. Upon returning to the hostel, I sought out Lisa for directions to the library, and she graciously pointed it out on the map.
State Library of New South Wales
Our hostel was conveniently near the State Library of New South Wales, situated alongside Sydney’s Eye Hospital. To reach it, I strolled through the courtyard of the hospital, captivated by its architecture that seemed more reminiscent of a hotel than a medical facility. Regrettably, my camera was absent, robbing me of the chance to capture the charming scene.
Daniel and I occupied the library for a solid two hours. I delved into some article writing, while Daniel focused on his blog and attempted to sell his car online. The turning point came when I successfully persuaded Daniel to join me in booking an online ticket. We opted for a special Sydney pass, priced at 63 dollars, covering admission to five attractions, including the Sydney Eye observation deck.
After a 15-minute negotiation, he agreed to the plan, but with a condition – I had to accompany him the next day for a significant event he had planned (scheduled a few days later and costing me 200 AUD).
Table Tennis
Post-library session, we headed back to the hostel to drop off our laptops. The decision was made to revisit the CBD, driven by our enjoyable table tennis bouts from the previous day. Daniel was keen on another round, and I concurred. The journey to the venue was quite a walk, but upon arrival, we found the table occupied by a large group of Asians. Undeterred, we took a seat and deliberated on our next move. The consensus was clear – it was time to make our way to the Westfield Tower, home to the Sydney Eye observation deck.
Sydney Tower Eye
Entering the Westfield mall, we made our way up to the fifth floor, where the entrance to the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck awaited. Having secured our tickets through online booking, we collected them at the entrance. As we traversed a few halls, I couldn’t resist taking a snapshot with the image of Leonardo along the way.
The weather today is fantastic, and I felt a sense of accomplishment in persuading Daniel to join me to the Sydney Tower Eye. However, the security check at the Sydney Tower Eye was thorough, and I found it quite irksome. I had to remove everything, and naturally, I forgot a few items. The alarm went off three times – first for my watch, then for my belt. It was a bit frustrating.
The wait for the elevator was inevitable, but it proved to be entirely worthwhile. Upon reaching the observation deck, it was bustling with Asian visitors, making it quite crowded. Undeterred, we immediately delved into capturing photographs at the observation deck.
This vantage point offered us an impressive 360-degree panorama of the city. We easily identified our nearby hostel, but the Opera House was somewhat concealed by surrounding skyscrapers. Fortunately, our view of the Harbour Bridge was nothing short of amazing. The sight of Hyde Park was particularly striking, and my admiration for that park was heightened from this height. Many Australians frequent the park, sprawling on the grass to relax – an experience I planned to indulge in soon.
As dusk approached, we patiently waited for about 30 minutes. It was a deliberate plan of ours, at Daniel’s suggestion, to appreciate both the day and night views of the city.
Sydney at Night
The nighttime spectacle was absolutely breathtaking! Daniel mentioned having a similar experience in the Q1 tower in Gold Coast. I had visited there too, but only during the daytime. Timing was crucial in finding a place to sleep when I was there, which is why I couldn’t stay there for the nighttime views. After soaking in the mesmerizing views for 30 minutes, we decided to depart. It was approximately 7:45 pm when we made our way back to the hostel.
The agenda for the night involved checking out Sydney’s nightlife with Hannah and Jasmine, the girls from my previous room 204. Daniel, feeling a bit fatigued, contemplated joining us later. Upon returning to the hostel, I caught up with Hannah, and following our conversation, I took a refreshing shower to prepare for the evening. Despite feeling a bit weary, I was eager to explore some trendy bars. Hannah and Jasmine were familiar with the scene and planned to take us to three different bars.
A Night Out in Sydney
We strolled from our hostel to the CBD, where Hannah and Jasmine were scheduled to meet their supervisor near Woolworths. I took the opportunity to step inside and purchase batteries for my camera. Eventually, we rendezvoused with their supervisor, a fellow named Michael or something similar.
Andrea, the Italian guy from room 204, decided to join us. Our first stop was a small bar, and I was taken aback by the stringent security at the entrance. We waited for 10 minutes, supposedly because the bar was full, though there was ample space to accommodate another 50 patrons. During our time there, Hannah attempted to explain the nuances between ale and lager. While I eventually forgot her explanation, the key distinction lies in the fermentation process.
Daniel and Andrea opted for the most budget-friendly beer available. Fortunately, Hannah took charge of ordering my beer, and it turned out to be a better choice than theirs. Unfortunately, the exorbitant cost of beer in Australian bars made getting drunk an expensive venture unless one possesses a fortune. My beer set me back 9 dollars, roughly equivalent to 6 euros. Doubling that price, I could have purchased a crate (24 bottles) of Heineken beer at a supermarket in the Netherlands.
Engaging in pleasant conversations and capturing some snapshots inside, the evening unfolded with enjoyable discussions. As fatigue set in, both Daniel and I were feeling exhausted. We reached a consensus to grab some pizza and then head back to the hostel. Bidding farewell to Hannah and the others, we concluded the night.
Soenke and Hungry Jack’s
Exiting the bar, Daniel was engrossed in texting his German friend Soenke, whom he had met in Bundaberg. Soenke joined us outside the bar, and upon meeting him, we informed him of our plan to grab some food first. Eventually, we reconsidered the idea of purchasing pricey pizza. Opting for a more budget-friendly option, we settled on eating at Hungry Jack’s. Pronouncing Soenke’s name proved challenging, and even after five attempts, I couldn’t quite get it. In good humor, Daniel suggested I just call him Max instead – haha.
At approximately 2 am, Daniel and I made our way back to the hostel. The noise level was quite overwhelming, with everyone venturing out for the night. The corridors and the area in front of the hostel remained bustling until 5 am. Surprisingly, even after 5 am, a couple engaged in intimate activities inside the 8-bed dorm. What an extraordinary hostel experience it turned out to be.
