What I Did Today

So, todayI accomplished a lot. I left the hostel with $2.60 change in my pocket, and a wad of money in my wallet ($300 or so). I knew I could buy a return train ticket to Central Station for $2.60, so that was perfect. I got the train to Central Station, and looked in my wallet, and all my money was gone! I instantly knew where it was. Last night I had taken all my money out of my wallet and put it in a sweater pocket, the sweater I wasn't wearing. That way I couldn't spend it on the cruise! So, I was downtown with absolutely no money, not even a 5 cent coin. (They don't have pennies here, when you buy something, they round everything to the nearest 5 cents.) Oh well, that's one way to save money.

So, I went to Paddy's market, a big indoor market selling everything. Above the market is a mall, with all your normal shops and stuff, and a theatre on the top floor.

AFter that, I walked through Darling Harbour, on my way to Star City casino. In Darling Harbour, there was a busker guy doing some great juggline and other stuff, so I sat and watched that for about 30 minutes or so. He was very good, and funny too. I would have gladly gave him a little money, but I had absolutely none on me. AFter that, I continued on to STar City...WOW, it's a huge hotel, casino, convention centre, live show complex, and super nice. It's overlooking the harbour, it's way nicer than the Regina casino, and also better than the one in Winnipeg. And it's so cheap to gamble here! Virtually all the slot machines were 20 cents and under machines. They had tons of penny machines. Of course, the big bucks go to the tables, roulette, poker and all that jazz. I walked around the complex for quite a while, marvelling at the money there. It was very nice.

I then continued on to the Sydney Fish Markets, it's, well, it's a big fish market. It's on the ocean, obviously, and you can buy all kinds of fresh fish there, everything. There's all kinds of restaurants selling fish as well. You can get a fish and chips dinner there for well under $10, depending on the type of fish you want. And, for you mom, and your family, the main restaurant there is called Doyle's. (For those not in the know, my mom's maiden name is Doyle.) Unfortunately, the best time to get there is probably morning, when all the boats are coming in (assuming the fish at night, like in SE Asia). It closes at 4:00, and I got there about 3:40, but it was still very busy. I'll have to go have some fish and chips there some night.

And I did all that for only $2.60!!! Who says Sydney is expensive?

I know what I forgot to tell you all. Yesterday I walked across the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Some nice views of the Opera House from the bridge. And it's a big bridge too. It's quite impressive.

There's actually lots of things to do in Sydney on the cheap (of free). The tourist places have all kinds of brochures on walks in Sydney. The one thing I want to do is the Powerhouse Museum, kind of a Science Centre type of thing, and it's cheap (surprisinginly cheap). I can't remember, it's like only $15 to get in, I was expecting to pay well over $20, maybe $30 or more.

I also want to check out the zoo (no, it's the Crocodile Hunter's zoo...his is up the coast in Brisbane or something, and apparently it's not as good as the one in Sydney).

That's all. I'm very hungry, trying to decide whether I should sign up for the Funkhouse supper or make my own. I'm lazy, I'll do the Funkhouse supper if it's not too late.

That's all folks.