Sydney

After our respective Vipassana experiences, I met Emmie at Sydney airport. She did her course in Victoria, I did mine in the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney (we weren't allowed to do the course in the same place... probably best that she didn't hear my heated debates with the teacher). We took a cab to Florie and Ben's place, where we stayed during our time in Sydney. Florie is an old friend of Emmie from France, Ben is her Aussie husband.

Sydney is a larger city than Melbourne, and a bit less personal. A little like London, but not quite as severe. Fortunately, staying with close friends of Emmie's (who I found I got on really well with as well) made it much more homely. Their flat is on Paramatta Road, which is on the way to Paramatta but really is right by Central station. It is near New Town, which is a little like Angel. It is also, incidentally, right next to a brothel. But it is apparently a very upmarket brothel, so that's all right then.

Funny, but I can't remember that much of Sydney itself. Its probably because we didn't do very much. We ate well, we went out to a great Thai restaurant (Ben's recommendation - he's a chef). We saw the harbour and the opera house etc. We went with Florie to do a tour of some of the beaches and walked along the coast. Bondi beach is maybe too popular and crowded for my taste, and there is a bit of an body obsession. Reminds me of California with a look that isn't so much 'I eat well and do regular exercise' as it is 'I obsess about going to the gym to make my biceps looks bigger' for the men, or 'I'm a bolemic with breast implants' for the women. Then again I'm probably just sore because it made me feel a bit like a twig wearing a life belt. Nevermind, it was still a great walk.

Sydney Harbour


Opera house, Florie and Emmie


I think the reason that we don't remember that much actual touristy stuff is that we enjoyed just hanging out with Florie and Ben so much that we didn't really feel like tourists. Also I'm a little late writing this all down so its coming back to me slowly...

I remember feeling the need to cut my toenails, so Emmie, seeing the state of my feet, suggested I get a pedicure. In the spirit of trying a new experience, I did it... also because I would never do it in London in case someone I know might see me. One of the girls doing it jokingly offered to colour my toenails for me. I politely declined, while feeling just slightly more awkward. However, my feet haven't looked this healthy in a long time. Guys, I recommend you try it once. Just try to sit away from the shop window, and bring your own magazine. Its bad enough being seen getting a pedicure by your mates, but its worse if you're caught reading Cosmopolitan while doing it.

Emmie and aborigine playing the 'didge



Florie and me, before a glass of wine...


... and after a glass of wine



Darling Harbour


Yau (friend of mine from the UK, who went to Malaysia and just took a job in Brisbane - see the post from back in Provence) came down to see us one weekend. We went out with him and Florie and Ben. We left the girls to go home early, and Yau, Ben and myself got drunk and went out to see the nightlife. This was the day before Chinese New Year so we got to see Sydney's BIG chinese population in full 'dancing dragon' celebration, fireworks and all.


3-D glasses. Old school.


Dave (aka Brian the German farmer), who is another friend from Tibet, took a day off work to drive us around the Blue Mountains and see the sights. It was great to get driven around the area by a local (he lives in the Blue Mountains). Me and him are both Pink Floyd fans, however we also do a good rendition of 'Independent Women' by Destiny's Child in the car. Don't ask. I wish I could remember the names of every place we saw, but I can't so I'll just show you some cool photos instead.

Three sisters


Another aborigine playing a 'didje


Dave and I jamming with the aborigine playing the 'didje. Using only leaves.



Because you just have to...


Blue mountains







Finally, we picked up a tent, and I said goodbye to my now battered hiking boots and bought some new ones, and we took the plane for New Caledonia. Sydney was for us a bit like taking a break from travelling... hanging around with some good mates, eating good food, and taking it easy. We arrived just as Florie and Ben were packing up for Bordeaux, so I hope we'll be seeing them back in Europe soon. I also won't be forgetting the kindness of all our Aussie mates, both in Melbourne and Sydney. I don't know when we'll see them again, but you never know.