The Royal Botanic Gardens

Saturday 20 October

The Royal Botanic Gardens The Sydney skyline from the Royal Botanic Gardens Wierd looking Bottle Tree

Today I wanted to find out where the Travelodge is. It's the meeting and starting point of the Contiki tour for tomorrow. It was just about 10 to 15 minutes away from the hostel, where I'm staying.

Went to China Town for an early lunch, because I usually skip breakfast in the morning. Ordered some dim sums and dumplings at a take away. It was quite funny when I entered the take away, I was helped immediately. He started to talk in Vietnamese which I didn't understand. I asked him if he could speak English, I don't think so and he waved to a waitress to help me. I think he was shocked that I couldn't understand him. Hihi!

Off to the Botanic Gardens, passing Circular Quay and the Opera House. The Royal Botanic Garden is quite a large piece of green in Sydney Central. There are various entries to the park. Walked through the great park and ended at Mrs Macquaries Point. Rested for a while, enjoyed the beautiful harbour and peaceful place. It was quite sunny today, so I was sitting in the shade. Later on I walked back, saw a weird looking bottle tree, also saw some grey-headed flying fox bats in the tree. In daytime too! Stunning and they're quite large mammals too! Walked from the Hyde Park to the city centre.

Visited Grace Bros, a large warehouse were you can see and buy many things. Bought some fruit and Pringles at Woolworths. Almost forgot to buy some film rolls too. Went back to a photoshop and bought 8 film rolls with discount. Fortunately I had put my films into my backpack and not in the ordinary plastic bags.

I visited the internet-cafe and later on I went to the hostel. I took a shower and thought by myself: "I forgot something. Oh, my goodness!" I left my bag somewhere. Back in my room yes, indeed I didn't have my groceries anymore. I really hate this and it's my own fault too. I lost my appetite as well.

Later in the evening Simon and I went out for dinner. I checked the internet-cafe if they had found something. Nope, it was gone with the wind. We ate at a Turkish restaurant. Simon ordered a Barramundi menu and I ordered a seafood dish, served with salad and chips. The food tasted like nothing and had totally no flavour at all. $ 8.50 AUD down the drain.

We went to Woolworths to buy some groceries, but found out that it was closed. They had changed the time schedule. Off to 7eleven to buy some fruit, to eat at the hostel. In my room I talked to Scott who's doing a Contiki tour in New Zealand. Exchanged some tips. Went down to the service desk to order a taxi for tomorrow. The guy spoke some Dutch, which was pretty impressive. He worked in the Netherlands for some time. I let him order a taxi, because my English isn't too well. I thanked him for the arrangements and went upstairs to pack my stuff and to write my diary. 11:00 PM. Time to get some sleep. A big day tomorrow...