Arrivé Myth busting: Coriolis in draining water
Monday 8k Walk in Flip Flops
The best way to explore a new place is to walk around it. So that’s what I did, I walked about 8kms in flip flops, I had to stop because it started raining and my feet were about to get blisters. Flip flops are not all that comfortable for distance walking, just as sturdy boots are not that comfortable for beach lounging.
Anyway, here is my route, marvel at it’s organic and random nature.
I did not really have much of a plan on this walk, I originally set out to make it to Glebe to see the area where Adam’s sister lives and I almost made it. I got kind of distracted by a big Fish Market, when I snooped around it I found it was also mainly a big warehouse full of fast seafood bars where lots of Asian Aussies were chowing on anything from snapper to lobster. The lobsters were freakin’ huge. I settled for what turned out to be rather rubbish calamari, and while I ate it I rethought my route to Glebe and decided to head for Broadway in Ultimo. I kind of thought this might be a hip area.
Broadway at Ultimo is ok. It’s got a bunch of shops and stuff but it isn’t all that cool, it’s a little like a strip mall in the US. Lots of chain stores and fast food. I was a little disappointed and after looking round the mall (which has a Kmart and a Target) I hopped on a bus. The bus took me to the Town Hall.
From the Town Hall, I walked through Hyde Park and saw some stupid birds, they just look odd. There are a lot of odd looking birds and other wildlife in Australia, I don’t need to tell you that and I knew it would be so before I left. It’s just strange coming face to face with stuff that belongs in the Zoo out in the open. Apparently there are also wild Cockatoos, I have not seen any yet. Just like I have not seen any spiders.
I am a complete arachnophobe, I become paralysed with fear just looking at a small spider. When I heard about how common and how large Huntsman spiders were here I almost decided not to come. Fortunately it seems they are not so common that you are going to see them while laying in the park or in the shower, both of these places I inspected carefully before using. I also tread very carefully through any areas that have any kind of nature encroaching on them. This included the walk from the hotel to the station which has a fair few trees lining the road. I steer clear of garbage bins because I know tiny killer spiders like to live around them, I see their webs sometimes just as I see a suspect web outside of the shower window, no spider but a web all the same. I am keeping my eye on developments with that one, just as the neighbour who overlooks this open window into the shower might keep an eye on any number of spider aware showering guests. Aussies obviously are not shy about their bodies.
Back to the walk. Yes, I walked through the park and toward the seedy Kings Cross area. Lots of car rental places on the road to Kings Cross, must note that Thrifty do a car for $19 a day, “no hidden fees”. That’s a cheap car. It started to get a bit too seedy so I turned toward The Domain park and got swarmed by bugs that seem to just want to bug you for the sake of it. Stainforth told me they are after your sweat, I hope that is not true. I got out of the park (bugs ruined it for me) and meandered to the Opera House, by this time my feet were telling me to give up, but I persevered. It was sort of worth it, I mean I had to see the Opera House at some stage, and it was cool and everything, but I think I was too tired to be excited.
It then started to rain a little bit so I headed to Circular Quay and got a ferry back to Kirribilli, I found it dropped me off almost on the doorstep of my hotel. This is excellent because I can now really take advantage of my weekly travel pass.
That was my walk. Hope you enjoyed it, more photos as always over at Flickr.
first.
So Australia eh? Are we allowed to swear in blog comments?
Say whatever you like, I can always delete it. But knowing you I will enjoy.