MANASVI SHARMA BAWA

There is a city for tourists and then there is a city for the residents. These two things and situations never coincide with one another. You know how when you live in a city, you are not very impressed by it everyday. It becomes routine. Same city as a tourist brings a huge smile on your face each day of your vacation.

A city like Sydney has two sides too, the touristy one and the one for the Sydney Siders. Of course, the beauty of Sydney is known and acknowledged by everyone, but a tourist just see’s the rosy tinted side of it. A Sydney Sider see’s the commute, rush hour, supermarkets, expenses, day care, groceries and what not. Luckily for me, I saw as a tourist and a wee bit like a resident.

First day in town alone was an overwhelming one. I accompanied my husband all the way to work just to get an idea of how the trains worked. Sydney can inspire awe for someone who isn’t good at commuting in public transport but luckily for me I have a fair sense of direction and having lived in Delhi public transport is my best friend. In case I do not get confused or lose my way, the mister downloaded apps on my phone in a jiffy which saved me a lot of time;

1. Offline Maps: I was carrying two phones with me in the early days of being in the city, one was primarily for making emergency calls and the other was my “selfie taker”. Offline maps helped me find my way just incase there was even an slight doubt.
2. Opal: When Sydney get an Opal card. There is no way you don’t do that. Opal cards are easily rechargeable public transport pass that can be used for train commute or buses, ferries etc. Gautam got me mine on the onset itself.
3. Routes: Which train/bus/ferry leaves from which station/stop/wharf is all given in that one app. You can actually time your commute synced with the details. Incase there is a delay in service, they notify you with that as well.

So, out I went with the mister towards the city in the train towards St. Leonards. A quick change in the train from Town Hall and we were on our way to our destination via Milsons Point (where the famous Harbour Bridge is along with Luna Park and the best views). I had a huge smile on my face at ALL times. We got off and I was starry eyed, I loved everything. It was nice and cold and everything made me happy. To add to that happiness the mister dropped me off to a cozy coffee shop called The Moody Chef where I devoured the best hazelnut mocha ever.

Now, time came to go back on my own and I was a bunch of nerves. “I won’t get lost” is what I kept saying to myself. Of course not (yes). But that’s later. Off I went towards Town Hall like a pro, got off the train station and tried to find the exit. Anyone who has ever been to Sydney and Town Hall particularly must know that it can be confusing. There are a million exits and in my two months there I finally learn’t which one to take when and where it led. So the first time I exited from somewhere and then opened my “offline maps” and started walking towards the famous “Darling Harbour.”

Darling Harbour is one of the top 5 places to visit when in Sydney. It is about a ten minute walk from the Town Hall Station and the famous Queen Victoria Building. A straight road leads you to the harbour area, but since I took the wrong exit and since I had no idea where I was going I ended up exploring more than I expected. I walked a few streets, saw impressive architecture and then finally reached my destination. And I was blown away. That first glimpse of Darling Harbour just makes your heart do the funnies. Your feet itch to walk faster and mine were running.
There were yachts all over, birds chilling, a huge ship parked in front of the Maritime Museum, Madam Tussaud’s, Sydney Wildlife Zoo, Sea World on one side and the King Street wharf full of restaurants bustling with people. Sigh. What a sight. I decided to walk the length of the bridge, then took a round of the pier area, sat and had a hot chocolate at the Lindt Cafe and then ended up at the Wildlife Zoo along with the Sea World and it was majestic. I saw Koalas, Wombats, Kangarooooos, Crocs, Sharks, Sea horses, penguins and so much more.

Just walk up to one of the booths and talk to a super friendly staff member on the counter and get tickets to the places. What I found best was that you could get tickets for the Sea World, Wildlife Zoo, Madam Tussaud’s and the Sydney Tower Eye at one counter. Separately each ticket amounts to about $15-20 but as a package comes about to $55-60 which is not a bad deal. This is what I saw…

After a day well spent at Darling Harbour, I was on my way home. Back to the train station, followed by a stint of missing my station and landing up lost leading to a frantic phone call to my husband and eventually reaching home. I had survived the first day as a tourist in the ‘Big Smoke’. *Yay*

Takeaways from the first day;

1. Get comfortable with the public transport system.
2. Buy a map or download one for easy navigation.
3. Don’t be afraid to explore the unexplored. Just keep going.
4. Don’t miss the touristy Sea World and Zoo or even Tussaud’s if you like wax statues (I find them creepy).
5. Darling Harbour is beautiful. *okay that was obvious*

Day 1 of being a tourist done. Stay tuned for my next pit stop on the touristy things to do in Sydney! xx

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