Right Sydney Sequal part 2!

So I've just got back from the blue mountains on a day tour. Would have loved to have spent more time there to really explore but atleast I saw the main places on a nice clear day. Back in Sydney though I had a message from a friend on facebook; she was in Sydney for a few days before flying to New Zealand! Before work the next day I met up with Hannah at the town hall, we walked to Circular Quay, Botanical gardens and had a nice catch up next to the water. The day was a little couldy but the view of the Opera house and the Harbour bridge was still nice. We walked back to the Opera house curious at what was on in the evening, turned out Madama Butterfly was showing and we both fancied the evening performance...That was the first and only time I have called in sick and since she was only here for 2 nights and it was the last show at the Opera house I thought it worth it....sorry! We looked at ticket prices and it was a small fortune, $250 per person sat together, $170 sat separately...thank god for my out of date student card making it $50 per person haha and we sat together :) We booked the 7pm performance and then headed home to put on something more suitable for the evening. A quick shower, food and change of clothes we were back at Circular Quay by 6.30pm. Already it was getting really busy and we were glad we had the half hour to relax and buy some drinks. Inside the bells sounded to warn us of the start, we found our seats programme in hand and then sat down in the main theatre waiting for the opening scene.

Inside the Opera House it wasn't what I expected. It was a bit retro and looked out dated compared to other grand theatres I have been to in London. You could still see the unique shape of the ceiling which was cool designed to amplify sound but it was plainly decorated with cream walls, red tier seating and a really simple stage.

The Opera show itself was really good, at first I had no idea what was going on but around 10 minutes in I spotted a translation screen at the top of the stage...I told Hannah about it and she said "I know, I've been watching it the whole time!" Great, could have told me haha!

The first scene was around 1hr30min and it was about a young Japanese woman (Madama Butterfly) set to marry a Navy Commander (B F Pilkinton), she utterly adored her new husband and even went as far as to renounce her traditional faith. Pilkinton was a young captain who took a wife because he was at port and probably bored always with the aim of returning to the America to take a "real bride". The second scene, another hour or so, was about Madama waiting for Pilkintons return struggling through the years in poverty and caring for her new born child. Pilkinton returns after 3 years with his new wife breaking Madama's heart and taking the child back to America. It ends sorely with Madama Butterfly taking her own life! Sad ending!.. At the encour with everybody clapping I said to Hannah "Should we boo Pilkinton for what he did to Butterfly??" she replied "noooooo!" but come his bow others in the audience did just that haha, same mind as me!

After the show we went for a couple of drinks at the Opera Bar and then headed home to watch a movie. A really nice evening, great to get dressed up for a change and do something different. Not often do you get to see a famous Opera show at the Sydney Opera House!

The next few days after Hannah had left came and went with not much to write about. I went to Hyde Park in the morning to get some sun and then went to work earn some pennies! One night at work tips weren't that great so me and Simon went for a play at the casino haha. We found a roulette table and put $50 on red.. Simon wasn't going to bet but once we were there at the last minute he said "Oh go on then!! I'll be gutted if you win and I didn't!" The little white ball bounced around and landed on that wonderful red number! We took two crisp $100 dollar bills from the cash out and then left careful not to get hooked to the blackjack tables on the way out haha!

Later on in the week on one of my next days off I went to the Chinese Botanical gardens close to Darling Harbour. I remember my parents saying that it was a nice place to visit so I took their word for it. I got there early afternoon paying the $10 dollar admission and went exploring. Inside it was a little different than it usually is because they were filming the new Wolverine movie with Hugh Jackman! Never saw the Aussie star but the gardens weren't changed to much and still remained nice, quiet, calm with quaint walkways, ornate pagodas, and the sound of gentle running water. I took loads of pictures strolling amoungst the gardens and after sat down with a milkshake watching the fish in the water. The sun was beaming so the shade of all the trees was a relief and it was nice to sit down and do nothing in a quiet, hidden garden in the city. Also I found a fancy dress shop in the midst of the trees; very tempted to get a Chinese Imperial guard outfit and stroll around looking important haha...I was on my own though and that might have been strange, even so though...tempted!

Later that evening I went to Hyde park with my housemates to a festival with food, drink, live music and DJ's called the Noodle Night market. It was mostly oriental cuisine so it was good to walk around the different stalls trying some of the cheap traditional dishes that they boasted. The trees were all different colours lit up with lights; pink, purple, blue and yellow, I thought it would be cool if trees were always different colours. Further up the park there was also an art show where the trees had faces...strange; impressive to make a face and expressions on nothing but bark and leaves but was still a bit eary. This, not so cool to have permenantly haha.

The weeks ticked by and on some more of my days off I went to Stanwell park with Jeremey and Josh. A beach an hour away on the train with coastal beaches, rocks to climb and places to explore. At a point near the sea there was a spot where the waves could crash high over head and soak head to toe! We waited for the perfect wave hoping to get a great photo opportunity but always the wave was low and disappointing. We were just about the leave and had our backs turned when a huge wave washed over us! The raging white water splashing well over our heads we did well to hold onto our footing! So funny and unexpected it was the biggest wave of the day and I don't even think we got a decent picture like we planned!

My next good day was with Simon and Chris. Simon and I caught the train to the Northern Beaches and Chris met us there with the car. We drove to Newport beach, one of the many northern beaches in Sydney, one of the more difficult to get to. It was really nice, soft thick orange sand, a cool ocean sea breeze underneath a summer sun. The sea was rough and when swimming the surf came up to my neck at 2m out! I'm only little but wow...strong current! Better stay closer to shore haha!

From the beach we went to the NewPort arms for some dinner and beers. An awesome big pub with a great view of a harbour and a huge beer garden to chill. With a nice view and awesome company I had a great time :). I'm loving my days off of late! From the pub we drove to Mona Vale beach for sunset, a popular surf spot for all the locals. The evening sea had strong surf and there was people in the water amoungst the powerful waves. The sand was thick beneath my toes and the sun was bright even at dusk. I'd love to live near the beach...just chill and even surf before and after work, it would definitely be a good life! I think I'd love to live in Sydney too and again it's a shame I'm off on the rest of my travels when I've met a great bunch of people and just starting to explore the outer regions of the city.. Oh well, I have just a few more shifts left at the Hard Rock including Halloween and my last day in on the 4th of November...getting very close now!!

On Halloween I was running a bit late for work and didn't have an outfit yet. The managers wanted everybody to dress up and get involved and yet again I'd left it last minute! I ran to Paddy's market and taking the idea from the Chinese gardens I bought an Imperial Guard outfit...I even got a sword haha! I had some Asian baggy trousers borrowed for a friend, a black Chinese shirt, a black and red hat with golden thread in the shape of dragons and ofcourse my black wooden Kendo sword haha! I looked pretty bad ass, made dead and bloody with a messy gash across my throat and head. Tips not bad that night..no casino haha and it was fun to get into character. Chinese customers loved it haha!

My last shift, sunday salsa night!! People spinning around going nuts never made carrying food any easier, it looked like a lot of fun dancing and showing off but after a while on the recieving end I guess you can say you lose patience lol. The managers even kept me till close so I had to deal with the spin kicking all night! One by one my friends wished me well on my travels and said goodbye. I gave hugs to my awesome managers and then joined some matesat Tokyo bar for a few drinks. 2 for 1 I ended up getting pretty drunk! Got home at 4.30am and fell asleep on the floor...signs of a good night haha!

The next day I packed all my things with a hangover and prepared myself for the flight to Ayers rock. I spent my last afternoon at Manly beach with Chris and Simon having beers and fish and chips by the quay. I've made some wicked friends while i've been traveling and Chris and Si are well up there with the best. Si I'll see you when I get back, Chris I'll see you in Liverpool! Boom!!

I got home in the evening and made sure I had packed absolutely everything. My flight was early on the 6th so i had an early night and a good sleep before catching the train to the airport.

Well Sydney you've done me proud. Leaving Jindabyne to come and work here was one of the best things that could have happened. All my expensive and major tours are paid for and I still have money to spare haha, good times! Work hard, play harder...always live in the moment.

Next stop- THE RED CENTRE!

Nathan.