Back to Sydney and Creepy Crawlies
October 27th 2008
Back to Sydney and Creepy Crawlies
Sadly this morning I had to leave two amazing friends who have been great hosts, Chantelle & Reid. They are a cute, newly engaged couple with a funky looking apartment, super comfy couch, fun and outgoing friends and I enjoyed exploring the state of Queensland with them. For one week of my three week trip I didn’t have to plan a thing. I got to relax and treat that time as a vacation added instead of just a whirlwind adventure. They simply asked me what I wanted to see and then made it happen. The best part is that I got to experience some of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen with them. Thanks guys!
Today I flew Qantas from Brisbane to Sydney. They really are an amazing airline. When I arrived at the airport I decided for transportation to the city to buy a return ticket with the Airport Shuttle bus service rather than take the efficient Sydney subway system. Only because the shuttle would drop me off directly at the my Backpackers accommodation and then I wouldn’t need to take my luggage through 4 blocks of city streets from the Central Train Station. Plus it was $5 cheaper. I got to my backpackers in about 30 minutes. It was nice because it let me see a bit of the outside of the city, not quite the suburbs since their airport is pretty close to the heat of the city, but not quite the downtown of Sydney.
I had a reservation at HOME Backpackers on Elizabeth street in Sydney. I recommend that you never ever stay there. I checked in, paid for my three nights up front and was given a pass card and a map to my find my room. Now, a little info, I had chosen to pay a bit more for a room to myself since it was my last few days of my vacation and I didn’t mind to be able to turn on the lights and not worry about other people sleeping etc. So for $70AUS/night my room was to have A/C, a double bed, a fridge and kitchen area and luckily it was located right beside the showers and washroom. I took my bags up the two long flights of stairs, around one bend, down a fight of stairs, around another bend down two more stairs and mine was the very last room. I glanced at the shower/washroom while I put the key in the door to my room and noticed that it looked pretty grungy, but I figured it was just an old place. Then I walked into my room. I instantly felt uneasy. The sink/counter was rotting, there were not any curtains (no view just an alley way), no A/C just a fan mounted loosely on the wall close to the ceiling and pointing at the bed and a torn and stained carpet. The place looked like it was out of a bad horror movie. As I stood there taking it all in and trying to figure out in my head if I could actually stay there or not, a cockroach the size my entire thumb came crawling out from under the bed. I hadn’t even put my bag down and the creepy crawly was already coming out to great me. I immediately turned around and hauled my bags back down to the reception area. Where as I waited patiently, since there was already someone in line, I noticed a sign that said “NO REFUNDS”. I got pretty nervous. I immediately thought I’d either have to try to argue my way out of this or I’d loose three nights worth of money. Luckily for me the guy was pretty understanding and let me get my money back. I think he could see how grossed out I was.
So I walked up the street a few blocks to where I knew of some other hotels and within 30 minutes I was chillin’ in a sweet room at the Sydney Travelodge. It was only $30 more a night and had A/C, a small kitchen (so I saved money on meals), my own bathroom w/shower and it was cockroach free (well at least that I could see). I am still in the downtown core and pretty close to the first hotel I stayed at only this place is $60 cheaper a night and much nicer. Go figure. So if you are ever looking for a place to stay in the downtown of Sydney for $100AUS a night then I recommend the Travelodge @27 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney NSW 2010.
I spent my afternoon relaxing and leisurely walking along Oxford street, which is similar to our Queen street west. It has many little expensive boutique type shops. All of them cute but way too much money.
Tomorrow I’m exploring the city beaches!
– Bonnie :)
