Today I slept in and got up at 12:00. I had a shower and went to find M. We intended to meet at 10:00, thus I was late. Luckily we met in the hallway and everything was all right.
First place to go was Haymarket. Someone from the hostel told us that we would find affordable fresh fruits and vegetables there, so we expected some kind of market place. Instead we found an expensive supermarket, some Asian shops and a bakery which smelled like fish, because the fish store was next door. Disappointed we bought a coffee and went to find some place outside to sit down and drink it.
We took a different doorway and were surprised to find the expected market place in the basement. We bought cherries, apples and cashews. Because of the bad food experience the day before we didn’t dare to buy the offered hot Chinese food. Afterwards we sat down at a street corner in front of the market hall, listened to a man playing Native American music and watched people coming and going. We sat there for a long while talking, sharing memories and enjoying the sun.
In the afternoon we walked to Chinatown. It was pretty small. Exactly three wooden houses with flourishing trees in front and another Asian supermarket. Walking on we ended up at the wharf. We took the ferry boat back to the Opera House via Luna Park and had stunning views of Sydney’s skyline again. We couldn’t buy a ticket before departure because the vending machine was off. The ferrywoman told us to sit down, so we sat down and later got off the boat without paying. We were afraid because there is a large penalty fee for fare dodging. At the exit there were turnstiles which open only with a ticket. Now very afraid we asked the security guy what to do. He told us, no problem just buy your ticket now. Crazy Aussies, buy your ticket at the exit.
Happy to have survived the adventure we went home to the hostel via the Royal Botanic Garden. In the dusk we watched a lot of fruit bats flying. It’s amazing. I know them only from zoos and here they are flying free!
Stopping at a convenience store we tried to buy some beer, but no way, you have to buy alcohol in a special shop with a special license. We needed to make a detour to a liquor store where we had to spend 9.99 Australian dollars for just six beers. Really expensive!
Back in the hostel I paid for internet access, updated my blog and talked with M.
