49) Down and out in Sydney...

Why is it that people become disorientated in airports? I always find it amazing how many people appear to wander around aimlessly, looking for their check-in desk, security or their departure gate. Not me though – I'm a World Traveller, although after around ten minutes of wandering around aimlessly inside and out of the domestic terminal – I'm starting to admit that I'm becoming 'one of them'.

I was certain I read there's a train from the airport to downtown. Buggered if I can find it though. I admit defeat and ask a security guard if there is indeed a train station. He gives me that sort of 'here's another one' look.

 “Right where the sign is pointing mate”. I look up “Ah, the one with a picture of a train on it”? I ask sheepishly. We have a chuckle “Jet-lag” I say by way of explanation. “I've come all the way from Tassy” I add. “That explains it all” he laughs. I thank him - “No worries mate” he says. He really means it too.

“Central Station? Fourteen dollars, sixty mate” says the ticket clerk. “I only want a one-way”

“That is one-way”, Jeez – welcome to Sydney, Woz.

My hostel is close by Sydney's Central Station. Just a few minutes walk. It's 9pm and busy on the streets with backpackers everywhere – some seem to be carting enormous amounts of gear. I check-in at my hostel – a pretty unfriendly place I decide. I have to pay up front 70 dollars a night. I still can't bring myself to a shared dorm – so I have to pay for both beds in the room. I have just over a week in Sydney – this is going to be expensive.

Expensive? That's an understatement – everything is pricey here. A coffee and a sandwich can easily cost 12 dollars. Internet is 4 dollars per hour, a decent evening meal is out of sight. I'm still really used to S America prices and even New Zealand was manageable. But here...

There's around 2.4 Aussie dollars to a pound sterling. I'm into my second day, I ride the hop-on / off bus tour – another 32 bucks! Money is disappearing fast. My US$50 a day budget is taking a hammering, not least of all because the US dollar has also strengthened by 25% against the pound since I planned the trip.

I know I'm on a bit of a downer – don't feel like chatting with anyone. That makes travelling solo even harder though. I don't speak to anyone at the hostel (first time on the whole trip), in fact I don't have a meaningful conversation with anyone for two days.

I'm sat out at a scabby kebab shop having my evening 'dinner' and somehow, all of a sudden - all the 'highs' have come tumbling down.

I think it's a combination of travelling so much this last week or so. The jetlag from S America has knocked me around a bit and I've had a very good time in Adelaide and Tassy. It all seems to be catching up somehow. Maybe it's the whole trip – it has been great, but quite demanding. It's two months 'on the road' since I've left Europe. For the first time I feel a bit homesick too.

There's so much to see and do in Sydney – but I don't feel like doing or seeing anything. I decide to ease up for a few days – across the harbour in Manley. I hear it's a nice suburb with a beach. Accommodation there is expensive too – the best I can get is 70 dollars a night there as well. I book with the 'Manley Guest House' – it has an appealing website. I have to pay in full at the time of booking. Another $AU200 just gone.

So, pack all my stuff yet again for the short ride on the metro to 'Circular Quay' and then on the ferry to Manley. I must say, all the guide books recommend that the best value 'cruise' on Sydney Harbour is the 'Manley Ferry' and I don't disagree. The views of the Harbour Bridge, The Opera House and the city skyline are very impressive. All on a six dollar all-day transport ticket.

I natter with a guy on the half hour trip. He's from Manley and he's telling me about all the places to visit over there. We talk a bit about my trip. He travels a fair bit too. He runs a small independent bank. “has your's got any money?” I quip. He takes it well – “I can still just about afford to travel on this ferry” he says. My spirits are lifting a bit.

I walk the kilometre or so to the guest house. As I approach, any spirit I had just evaporates. It looks run down and has a faded sign hanging 'short and long-term accommodation' – I always think that's a euphemism for dosshouse.

We'll it's not quite that – but not far off. If I hadn't paid up-front, I wouldn't have got past the front door. The residents are a mixture of a few backpackers and what appear 'long-term' residents. I don't really speak to anyone – not that anybody appears happy with the place either!

In fairness to the suburb, Manley did give me the break I needed. It was pleasant just walking along the beach or in the tidy shopping streets. I've spent almost my whole allocated week in Sydney and I haven't really seen or done much. Get a grip, Woz.

It's 'Melbourne Cup' day. This is a horserace meeting in Melbourne – and it's a bit like our 'Grand National'. Only different...

Well for a start – the country closes down for the afternoon – in some places for the day. It's actually now a Bank Holiday in Melbourne. The whole of Victoria State, I believe. This is a big day. All the bars and hotels are having some sort of 'event' and showing the race on big screens.

I start the day deciding that I need a haircut – I'm wandering around Manley – all the barbers shops are closed. Just my luck – Melbourne Cup day is also 'Barbers Picnic Day'. I'm not joking!

I find one open – just for the morning. It's a female barber. I tell her how I would like my hair done – she's almost finished before I've explained. Talk about fast – zip, zip, zip with her electric clippers and I'm done. Couldn't have been in the chair more than two minutes.

I tell her I know how a sheep feels now. She don't appear amused.

So, hair and 18 dollars lighter – for two minutes, mind – I'm ready for the race. Now, I don't bet or gamble – but I just had to place a wager on the 'TAB' – a bit like our 'Tote'. Another 10 dollars down the swannee! Oh well, it was a good day watching a Australian institution.

I've had to re-jig my plans a bit. I cancel my next destination which was planned to be around Gosford, a couple hours to the north. I have to get back into Sydney and do some stuff – I can't come all this way and not really visit anything.

I relent on the hostel stuff too. I'm going for a shared dorm at the YHA at Railway Square. Even with my YHA membership, it's still $AU34 a night – but better than 70 or so.

I don't know what all my fussing was about. Although I did drop lucky in my choice of hostel. The YHA Railway Square is a splendid place. The rooms are 4-bed single sex, clean and very tidy bathrooms – in fact the whole place feels good.

I think Woz is getting back on track...