Travel Guides and Stories

This travelogue boldly mentions: Sydney Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Royal Botanic Garden, University of Sydney, St Mary’s Cathedral, Hyde Park

It’s been days since I got back from Australia, yet I hadn’t jotted down a single thought—odd, really.
The weather is getting warmer; the breeze feels gentle on the skin—but it’s not exactly sunny. Suddenly I thought of those days in Sydney. After a month at UQ, we decided to end our trip in Sydney. The weather didn’t cooperate—overcast the whole time with the occasional drizzle—but we joked around and had a great few days. Thinking back now, I’m filled with nostalgia.
There’s a streak of aloof pride in human nature—we romanticize solo travel as the ultimate cool, a big boost to the ego. But feeling warmth and joy between people is very much the point of travel, too.
Day 1 · Bondi Beach
We said goodbye to our homestay at dawn, flew from Brisbane to Sydney, checked into the hotel in a rush, and headed straight for Bondi Beach.
After a month in Brisbane, we’d seen endless blue skies and sandy beaches, so we’d grown a bit immune to the blue-and-gold combo. Compared with beaches around Brisbane, Sydney’s were absolutely packed—our interest waned. And the famously “semi-nude” Bondi? Not a single bare beauty that day—what a pity.

We left Bondi near dusk and drove to dinner, passing a famous harbor. I was carsick after flying and riding all day, so I didn’t catch the name when the guide mentioned it. I planned to stay on the bus to rest, but my friend dragged me out for fresh air. That’s my grumpy face right there.

Dinner was a buffet. I had zero appetite and watched Song put away at least five steaks. The most annoying part? He eats that much and never gains an ounce—those calves are thinner than my arm. I could just strangle him.
Our hotel was just a street away from the University of Sydney—AUD 320 a night, over 2,000 RMB. My heart bled paying that bill. We grabbed booze and snacks at a nearby supermarket and ended the night crammed into one room—cards, drinks, and chatter till midnight. Noisy, happy blur of a day.
Day 2 · Sydney Opera House · St Mary’s Cathedral
I don’t know when they stopped partying. I crashed early and woke at 7. Judging from how soundly my roommates slept, it must’ve been late.
Breakfast at the hotel, then out into the cool, overcast morning.
First stop was some famous cliff—I didn’t catch the guide’s full name, sorry. It’s notorious as a suicide spot, awkward… Not long ago there was a high-profile case: a man suspected of pushing his girlfriend off the cliff. He did years in prison, then the case flipped and he was released—claimed he’d been wronged. Yikes.

Back on the road, we passed yesterday’s harbor. While others took a bathroom break, I snapped a few more photos.

Next up was Mrs Macquarie’s Chair—really a set of stone steps. Mrs Macquarie loved to walk here and read, so her husband had it built for her. Another love story set on solid material foundations.

From here you can gaze across to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Group photo time—can you tell I’m the oldest (except the lower left)?

We followed the waterfront path through the Royal Botanic Garden toward the Opera House—perfect for seeing it from every angle.

After looping around, we finally reached the Opera House. When the project was announced, designs were solicited publicly. Legend has it the winning concept was initially rejected, then retrieved from the trash—thus the Opera House we see today. It’s been likened to shells and many other things, but the designer’s inspiration came from the shadow of an orange peel cast on a table.

After the Opera House, we headed to the famous Fish Market for seafood. I’m from a coastal city and grew up on seafood—my dad’s buddies are in the trade. Sydney Fish Market is bustling and not cheap. A big lobster was AUD 70–80. I bought a small one to try—honestly, tastes just like back home.

After lunch we went to St Mary’s Cathedral. Unfortunately, no entry allowed…

Opposite the cathedral is Hyde Park with a beautiful fountain—a popular wedding photo spot.

Still early, so the guide took us to a flea market for a wander.

Back at the hotel we did the usual—drinks, cards, banter. Poor Sao was gaming peacefully before Song and I ganged up on him… ha!

Day 3 · Blue Mountains
Still overcast. The Blue Mountains are about two hours away, so it was our only stop today.
Most people napped on the bus; Song, Damo, and I linked iPads to play Taiko no Tatsujin—the month-long obsession. Song roasted me every time…
Blue Mountain coffee is famous, but the mountains are named for the blue haze that lingers year-round. Having seen many famous ranges in China, I was a tad disappointed—no match for the grandeur of Taishan or Huangshan, or the grace of Yuntaishan. Long live our majestic motherland!

Staring into the lens, I suddenly forgot how to smile—this awkward half-grimace is what came out…

After lunch we kept wandering the mountains. I even packed the camera away—once I compared it to my home scenery, my urge to shoot vanished. We stopped by a shopping mall after coming down, stocked up on food and wine, and headed back to the hotel.
 
Day 4 · Museum · Shopping
Our last day in Sydney—bittersweet, but excited to be heading home.
In the morning we visited the Art Gallery of New South Wales. A major French museum had a Picasso exhibition on loan. Even as a non-artsy person, I wanted to “cultivate taste,” so I paid AUD 25 for a 10:30 entry. With an hour and a half to kill, I toured the other galleries.
Australia’s public facilities are excellent. The gallery is huge and free to the public; many students have art classes here, and photography is allowed. There are four levels—one above ground and three below. Unusually, floors are numbered from the bottom up: the ground level is Floor 4. Level 4 is European art—paintings and sculpture. Level 3 is Asian art. Level 2 is modern art. Level 1 focuses on Indigenous culture.

No photos allowed at the Picasso exhibit—which I deeply regret. It was abstract to the nth degree—way beyond me. At least the titles were literal—like “Man Playing the Violin.” So I hunted for the violin and the man in each piece…
We booked a sightseeing cruise for noon. It departs from the wharf by the Opera House, loops around the harbor for about two hours, and includes lunch on board.

Afternoon was all about shopping. Prices in Australia are high—definitely higher than in the U.S. Tourist favorites include lanolin cream, UGGs, wool goods, wine, and Tim Tam biscuits. They’re cheap—AUD 2.89 a pack. Grab 10 and hand them out back home. An Aussie friend once brought me some—very sweet. I love the white chocolate ones the most—the least sweet, ironically…
This is Sydney’s most famous shopping center—name escapes me. Getting old… more glitches.
The building is lovely, but after a month of ducking into every mall in Brisbane and Sydney, I found the women’s fashion pretty awful. I didn’t buy a single piece—unheard of for me.

Dinner, then straight to the airport.
Goodbye, Sydney.
Goodbye, Australia.