Sydney Harbour National Park

As I arrive, i'm fatigued by cantankerous immigration staff, an extorionate chocolate milk and the sweetest (not neccesarily nice), most expensive do-nuts i've ever had the mispleasure of eating, all while waiting for the bus to the hostel on a bitterly cold Sydney morning. A half moon is still visible. There's not a cloud in the sky. I can see my breath. It's that cold. And i'm incredibly tired. After some sleep, I walk through Alfred Park, past Central Station and into the long spanning Central Business District along Pitt Street. I know i'm getting close. Suddenly, the sight i've been longing to see begins revealing itself from behind ...

From September to December 2005 I was seconded to a suburb of Sydney, Australia which, as secondments go, was a pretty juicy one for a 23 year old to land. As readers of my other pieces will attest to I got out and about in Australia during my time there, but since Sydney was the place I was working 4 days per week, every week, I also got to spend a fair chunk of time in the city. Arriving in Sydney is generally by air on a domestic or international flight though some energetic souls may also drive in having road-tripped it from Melbourne and/or Canberra. The airport is not an especially noteworthy one but it does have one outstanding feature: Krispy Kreme ...

I landed in Sydney on Boxing Day evening 2003 armed with only my backpack and my Lonely Planet guide book for company. I was on my own, (due to being let down by the friend I was supposed to be travelling with) and determined to have a good time. Needless to say I didn't find it too much of an effort. I had booked hostel accommodation as I was to be in Sydney until Jan 1st and knew it would be difficult to get anywhere on the day which from speaking to others proved to be a good decision. After clearing immigration I found the city shuttle outside ($8 au, refunded by hostel) I was at the Alfred park budget Hotel in Redfern, walking distance into the city in ...