To Sydney and Back (PT.1)

 

A Roadtrip is Born

The story starts one week where my good friend Rondo suggested to take a trip to Sydney before the year got too busy. It was sporadic, but my mind was a little hazy at the time so I felt it was best to just go with it and get a change of scenery. My girlfriend was supposed to come originally, but her work scheduled her on the days we were set to be gone which was a huge a bummer, but unfortunately things like this happen.

Onwards to Canberra (Day 1)

Our trip started in Melbourne, where we drove (by we, I mean Rondo, as I don't have a license in Australia) to Canberra, from there we would go up to and stay a night in Goldburn (just an hour away and cheaper). We'd make a push to Sydney the next day, then stay in Sydney a day, finally push back to Melbourne in one day.

Somewhere around Albury, spirits still high, Perfume (band) playing on the stereo.

Rondo's cousin very generously lent his fuel canister, it saved us from fuel anxiety, we just filled up at rest stops, it saved some time and allowed us to go at our own pace without constantly calculating range and checking for the next service station.

Rondo wanted to go to a place called "Shepherds lookout" in northern Canberra. He wanted to be there for twilight, but we were a hair too late. I was surprised to how beautiful it was, I wasn't expecting much, but I was taken aback by the rolling hills and the deep valley before us. There was a viewing platform that extended just beyond a cliff, a sense of vertigo and awe overcame me. As said, pictures simply do not do it justice, it's actually worth a second visit, which I hope to do one day.

Shepherds lookout in Canberra 

Rondo getting some sky plates for his library 

Bushfires 

It's a ~15 minute walk from the viewing platform to the carpark, while we were making our way back, we heard a loud "POP", both of us didn't think much of it. We noticed there was a small fire brewing, we both thought it was the neighbouring farmer burning off something . When we reached the car and got in, the road ahead was glowing red, this is when it became apparent to the both of us that this was actually a bush fire. We quickly went to go investigate and I prepared to call the fire department, we were met with a field that was on fire. Rondo parked his car up wind, just as I was preparing to dial, a firetruck arrived - phew, someone had called ahead.

We talked to the Captain and told him around the time we heard the pop, he thanked us for calling in the fire even though we didn't, but it was not a time to explain so we both just played it down, he was calm and thanked us, we headed our own way and let them do their jobs.

We arrived exhausted in Goldburn nearly around midnight.

Canberra (Day 2) 

Another day came, and we made our way to Canberra again, we made our way to the top of Mount Ainslie. It was a very unspectacular morning, with plenty of fog and low clouds. We rolled on down into the city, this time we scheduled a few hours to look around. What caught me most was just how few people were walking in the city. I get it, Australia is huge, you need a car to get around, but seriously, no one at bus stops, no one walking on the sidewalks, everyone was in a car or a bus. Even the vast bike lanes remained empty, it wasn't until we went to lunch that we actually saw more than two people outside of a vehicle. Maybe the morning was too gloomy for people to be outside.

Obligatory image from the top of Mount Ainslie

Parliament House, I guess it ain't bad

We took a look through Parliament House, bit touristy we know, but we came this far, it'd be a waste not to go see the legendary molehill. It was very enjoyable, and I was surprised how open to the public it was, in Hong Kong you're not allowed into the Government buildings except for open days, we could go right into the chambers of the Senate and House or Representatives without any hassle. 

Pretty much exactly like on TV, speaking of TV, notice the cameras coming out the walls.

The rest of the journey was uneventful until Sydney, we arrived just before 6pm. I'll write that in the next post by clicking here.

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