3/3: IT WAS ALSO RAW AND EMOTIONAL TRIP - I HAPPENED TO FIND MYSELF
After I got into the house, I only put my luggage, because there were still other guests who hadn't checked out yet, so I soon locked the door and went. I went solo. Oh my, this was my first time ever! The important thing for me was my phone and my power bank. It's my life while I was solo traveling. It showed me the digital maps and how I contacted my family and friends, and of course Naomi! She said I should tell her everything I would do until I went back to Indonesia. So, the first thought that came up my mind was... Sydney CBD (Central Business District)! It's the area where everything is run, the government; workers; tourist destinations; and a lot of things. I went to Newtown Station and had a route to Circular Quay Station. It was full of people because it's a workday on Tuesday.
As I arrived in Circular Quay Station, I literally was amazed and proud... maybe? I saw a building icon from the train's window. It was the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and also the sea. It's beautiful. No, no, it's more like... magic. That was the moment full of awes. I was dreaming to go to this city from a long time ago, maybe when I was in junior high. I watched Our Lips Are Sealed once and I fell in love with Sydney right away, haha. And it has been growing when I got into an architecture school because Sydney Opera House was mentioned a lot by my lecturer. And, I got the chance to research Sydney's city development from CBD to rural areas. It's amazing how little things can be connected from time to time. When I arrived, I soon bought the ticket to Taronga Zoo and waited for Ferry to come. Yes, a Ferry. Unique transportation that is used for the public. Usually, they use Ferry to go to the Nothern Sydney area. You can use the bus, but Ferry is faster.
I hopped into the Ferry and just sat on the deck. Oh, it's a really unbelievable moment. I saw Sydney CBD from Ferry and I could see all the skyscrapers and the sea. It was quite a moment for me. I will and should never forget about it. It took around ten minutes from Circular Quay Wharf to Taronga Zoo Wharf. You can see the proper entrance to the Taronga Zoo. I got into the entrance gate and they had cable cars to go to the real entrance, haha. I could see some animals from the cable car. The real entrance was finally seen. I got the zoo map, it's so big. Really, it's hugeee! I love when a zoo has proper land for the animals. The great thing about this zoo is the super clear signage and clear environment. It's sad when I remember that zoos in Indonesia are still in poor condition. Check my post about Bandung's Zoo. But, there's this one thing that every zoo has specifically: the animals seem not to be happy? I don't know, they're not in their habitat, so... I think it's still sad to know. But, I was still happy strolling around the zoo, though! And it's a sunny day indeed!
I was blown away by Sydney. It has a beautiful environment and even you're in the middle of the central city, it's still fresh! I think I'm gonna always compare it with Indonesia's big cities. It's not fair, I know because they're different hehe. When I visited Sydney, it has been a lot of constructions going on and it's so noisy in the central city, but that's how the big cities look like, right? Everyone is busy and in a rush. Some of them are super chill crossing the road or reading books at the bus stop. I was one of the chill people, obviously! I had a whole day times six to find out more what's in Sydney.
It has a lot to see. Well, just like Melbourne, but I didn't have time to explore Melbourne more and I did have time to explore Sydney, so there I was! It has a lot of great food, beaches, and the rest of nature! You know what surprised me the most? The people! Oh, I love the Australian people. People say that Australian people like to drink a lot and as far as I've seen days in Melbourne and Sydney... yup, they like to drink and basically have fun! It's not a bad thing, I see that as a celebration for them to live the life they have now. They are very friendly indeed. I had a bad experience when once I went to Auckland years ago and it happened at the airport. I can't say it's racism but felt like it kinda was. So, when I planned to go to Australia, I was a little afraid of having the same experience as I had been in Auckland. An Asian-Muslim woman would have a solo traveling to a different continent? Many people said it's not good for me, it would be dangerous. But, I knew this would be something special. God gave me more to realize that I should just enjoy and have a good time here! I didn't have a single as bad experience as I had been before. In fact, I met the best people in Sydney. I met my old friend Rebecca who's originally from Australia and we first met in an English course back then. I met the best Airbnb host in Sydney (will write more about it in the next posts). I met a very nice stranger who shared about life perspective and he's very very nice. I met again with Naomi after three years. So, what's to complain about?
I think the population in Melbourne is less than in Sydney, so Sydney is more crowded. Yet, I somehow like Sydney more than I like Melbourne, haha. I think the beaches were amazing in Sydney and I got the chance to meet beautiful people more in Sydney. What I have seen so far in Australia was the ultimate system that it has at construction, public spaces, and government's rules. The system that makes Australia seems so secured and a great country to live in. Maybe... just maybe the reason I said this stuff because I was a visitor, not a citizen so that I don't much of what's happening in Australia from different perspectives. I was still amazed by the country. It's neat, organized, and most of the places are cashless and self-services. This system makes people read more about the instructions. People are actually working for something bigger here, so they value people and time more. I'm thinking about what would happen if self-services were distributed evenly in Indonesia. It would need a lot of time but I think my people can do it. I've seen a lot of green movements in a lot of places. People have known about it and they were doing it, it's awesome. The last but not least that I've been concerned about is the public transportations. They're distributed evenly, even in small areas. I would give the people in Australia applause because they appreciate public transportations. And the reason they appreciate it is because the public transportations have good facilities and a clear system to use them.
This trip has given me a lot to be thankful for and to think more about my life. I honestly feel different after this trip. What I've got was that I can know about myself more: how I handle myself when I'm alone traveling, how I see the world when I'm traveling, how I can push myself out of the limit that I have. Knowing self-personality is hard. I sometimes struggle with it. I sometimes... don't know which way to go, which step I should take just to know who I am inside. The reason I really want to know more about myself is control. The more I understand the more I can control and it applies to everything in this life. Being in Australia gave me a literally new culture to take in, the independence, the confidence. I try to appreciate small things and this trip has helped me to appreciate more. It worked. Small things are not meant to be forgotten. They matter and they are the roots that go stronger and higher to reach the big things in the future. So, appreciate them.
I realize I consumed all of this just for me. But the thing is, when you can change yourself to be better first, then you can change another person and later people, maybe a lot of them. And who knows that that person who's changed him/herself can change the world someday. So, this was a perfect pause break in my life that will carry me to a better future. I hope you guys didn't get bored when you read this and I hope you find something here. Cheers.
--
Hey, you better read my first story of Australia’s trip here and the second story on my last post here.
After Melbourne, here goes to Sydney! I started to have a real solo traveling on April 9th to 14th. On April 9th, I went to my booked Airbnb house first to put my luggage. The Airbnb was in Rawson Street, Newtown. I ordered Uber from Naomi's house. Naomi and I had separated, but the next days we still met while I was in Sydney to have dinner together because she's working at day time. I jumped off from the Uber car and I dragged my two heavy items of luggage. The Airbnb's host said that she put the keys underneath the vase. I almost had a heart attack when I found out that the keys weren't there. But it was all dramatic. I sent a message to the host and I finally found it. The Rawson Street that day was totally quiet and nobody's passing by. I felt like I was in a dead area.
After Melbourne, here goes to Sydney! I started to have a real solo traveling on April 9th to 14th. On April 9th, I went to my booked Airbnb house first to put my luggage. The Airbnb was in Rawson Street, Newtown. I ordered Uber from Naomi's house. Naomi and I had separated, but the next days we still met while I was in Sydney to have dinner together because she's working at day time. I jumped off from the Uber car and I dragged my two heavy items of luggage. The Airbnb's host said that she put the keys underneath the vase. I almost had a heart attack when I found out that the keys weren't there. But it was all dramatic. I sent a message to the host and I finally found it. The Rawson Street that day was totally quiet and nobody's passing by. I felt like I was in a dead area.
After I got into the house, I only put my luggage, because there were still other guests who hadn't checked out yet, so I soon locked the door and went. I went solo. Oh my, this was my first time ever! The important thing for me was my phone and my power bank. It's my life while I was solo traveling. It showed me the digital maps and how I contacted my family and friends, and of course Naomi! She said I should tell her everything I would do until I went back to Indonesia. So, the first thought that came up my mind was... Sydney CBD (Central Business District)! It's the area where everything is run, the government; workers; tourist destinations; and a lot of things. I went to Newtown Station and had a route to Circular Quay Station. It was full of people because it's a workday on Tuesday.
As I arrived in Circular Quay Station, I literally was amazed and proud... maybe? I saw a building icon from the train's window. It was the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and also the sea. It's beautiful. No, no, it's more like... magic. That was the moment full of awes. I was dreaming to go to this city from a long time ago, maybe when I was in junior high. I watched Our Lips Are Sealed once and I fell in love with Sydney right away, haha. And it has been growing when I got into an architecture school because Sydney Opera House was mentioned a lot by my lecturer. And, I got the chance to research Sydney's city development from CBD to rural areas. It's amazing how little things can be connected from time to time. When I arrived, I soon bought the ticket to Taronga Zoo and waited for Ferry to come. Yes, a Ferry. Unique transportation that is used for the public. Usually, they use Ferry to go to the Nothern Sydney area. You can use the bus, but Ferry is faster.
I hopped into the Ferry and just sat on the deck. Oh, it's a really unbelievable moment. I saw Sydney CBD from Ferry and I could see all the skyscrapers and the sea. It was quite a moment for me. I will and should never forget about it. It took around ten minutes from Circular Quay Wharf to Taronga Zoo Wharf. You can see the proper entrance to the Taronga Zoo. I got into the entrance gate and they had cable cars to go to the real entrance, haha. I could see some animals from the cable car. The real entrance was finally seen. I got the zoo map, it's so big. Really, it's hugeee! I love when a zoo has proper land for the animals. The great thing about this zoo is the super clear signage and clear environment. It's sad when I remember that zoos in Indonesia are still in poor condition. Check my post about Bandung's Zoo. But, there's this one thing that every zoo has specifically: the animals seem not to be happy? I don't know, they're not in their habitat, so... I think it's still sad to know. But, I was still happy strolling around the zoo, though! And it's a sunny day indeed!
 |
| Sydney Opera House. Guys, this is literally a beautiful building and view. |
 |
| Sydney CBD from Taronga Zoo. Yes, we have to use Ferry or a bus to go to Taronga Zoo from Circular Quay. |
 |
| The famous bridge: Sydney Harbour Bridge. |
 |
| Circular Quay's situation that day. Beautiful public space for both locals and tourists. |
 |
| A man sang behind the Sydney Opera House and a big cruise! What a view to enjoy. |
 |
| Here we go, Taronga Zoo! It's the Backyard to Bush area. |
 |
| Even the kangaroos weren't so excited to see me :( Haha. |
I was blown away by Sydney. It has a beautiful environment and even you're in the middle of the central city, it's still fresh! I think I'm gonna always compare it with Indonesia's big cities. It's not fair, I know because they're different hehe. When I visited Sydney, it has been a lot of constructions going on and it's so noisy in the central city, but that's how the big cities look like, right? Everyone is busy and in a rush. Some of them are super chill crossing the road or reading books at the bus stop. I was one of the chill people, obviously! I had a whole day times six to find out more what's in Sydney.
It has a lot to see. Well, just like Melbourne, but I didn't have time to explore Melbourne more and I did have time to explore Sydney, so there I was! It has a lot of great food, beaches, and the rest of nature! You know what surprised me the most? The people! Oh, I love the Australian people. People say that Australian people like to drink a lot and as far as I've seen days in Melbourne and Sydney... yup, they like to drink and basically have fun! It's not a bad thing, I see that as a celebration for them to live the life they have now. They are very friendly indeed. I had a bad experience when once I went to Auckland years ago and it happened at the airport. I can't say it's racism but felt like it kinda was. So, when I planned to go to Australia, I was a little afraid of having the same experience as I had been in Auckland. An Asian-Muslim woman would have a solo traveling to a different continent? Many people said it's not good for me, it would be dangerous. But, I knew this would be something special. God gave me more to realize that I should just enjoy and have a good time here! I didn't have a single as bad experience as I had been before. In fact, I met the best people in Sydney. I met my old friend Rebecca who's originally from Australia and we first met in an English course back then. I met the best Airbnb host in Sydney (will write more about it in the next posts). I met a very nice stranger who shared about life perspective and he's very very nice. I met again with Naomi after three years. So, what's to complain about?
 |
| Sydney Contemporary Art Museum |
 |
| A woman was chilling on Hyde Park. |
 |
| Bondi Beach with fantastic weather that day. Look at those hotels and houses! |
 |
| Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park. |
 |
| It's Park Street with St. Mary's Cathedral view (still in Hyde Park area). |
 |
| Look at those stairs and pedestrian in the park! Wish Indonesia has parks like this. |
 |
| A schoolgirl was drawing beside the Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park. |
 |
| Queen Victoria Building. I can't say anything but just to see this building for a long time. |
 |
| Inside the Queen Victoria Building. So beautiful, they still maintain all the details in this building, salute! |
 |
| Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney. |
 |
| Art Gallery of New South Wales on the Ground Floor. |
 |
| State Library of New South Wales. It's very spacious! |
I think the population in Melbourne is less than in Sydney, so Sydney is more crowded. Yet, I somehow like Sydney more than I like Melbourne, haha. I think the beaches were amazing in Sydney and I got the chance to meet beautiful people more in Sydney. What I have seen so far in Australia was the ultimate system that it has at construction, public spaces, and government's rules. The system that makes Australia seems so secured and a great country to live in. Maybe... just maybe the reason I said this stuff because I was a visitor, not a citizen so that I don't much of what's happening in Australia from different perspectives. I was still amazed by the country. It's neat, organized, and most of the places are cashless and self-services. This system makes people read more about the instructions. People are actually working for something bigger here, so they value people and time more. I'm thinking about what would happen if self-services were distributed evenly in Indonesia. It would need a lot of time but I think my people can do it. I've seen a lot of green movements in a lot of places. People have known about it and they were doing it, it's awesome. The last but not least that I've been concerned about is the public transportations. They're distributed evenly, even in small areas. I would give the people in Australia applause because they appreciate public transportations. And the reason they appreciate it is because the public transportations have good facilities and a clear system to use them.
This trip has given me a lot to be thankful for and to think more about my life. I honestly feel different after this trip. What I've got was that I can know about myself more: how I handle myself when I'm alone traveling, how I see the world when I'm traveling, how I can push myself out of the limit that I have. Knowing self-personality is hard. I sometimes struggle with it. I sometimes... don't know which way to go, which step I should take just to know who I am inside. The reason I really want to know more about myself is control. The more I understand the more I can control and it applies to everything in this life. Being in Australia gave me a literally new culture to take in, the independence, the confidence. I try to appreciate small things and this trip has helped me to appreciate more. It worked. Small things are not meant to be forgotten. They matter and they are the roots that go stronger and higher to reach the big things in the future. So, appreciate them.
I realize I consumed all of this just for me. But the thing is, when you can change yourself to be better first, then you can change another person and later people, maybe a lot of them. And who knows that that person who's changed him/herself can change the world someday. So, this was a perfect pause break in my life that will carry me to a better future. I hope you guys didn't get bored when you read this and I hope you find something here. Cheers.
--
All photos were taken by Yashica fx super 2000 and film Portra 400, Fuji Industrial 100, and Fuji C200.
