Sept 13 - Brado's and Opera House

The 12th sort of got skipped in transit, so we arrived on Monday Sept. 13th in Sydney. Took the train over to Kings Cross area where our hostel is located. Brado's Backpackers was where we get to call home for the next 3 nights. This is sort of what I had imagined hostels to be, kinda scuzzy, a bed, toilet, kitchen and the bare essentials. Regardless, checked in and headed out to explore. Walked to the central business district (CBD) and poked around, then over to the harbour and the Sydney Opera House. The Opera House is the symbol of Sydney, and Australia really, and has been shown so many times in the media, but up close it's really not as impressive as you'd expect. First off, it's not white; more of a beige, and made up of tiles that look like they belong in the bathroom of a shady restaurant. But we snapped the necessary 50 pictures and then strolled through the botanical gardens a bit, that appeared more like a park than a garden, but we might have missed some of it. Then had to set up the National Australia Bank account and pick up some groceries for supper and breakfast at Woolworth's. I like Woolworth's, it looks, feels and smells similar to Sobey's. Grocery items are more expensive here in Sydney than back home, along with meals, transportation, etc. Plus there are only a few recognizable North American brands here, mixed in with a bunch of weird looking Aussie products. Had some dinner and called it a night; being out all day tires you out. Plus the jet lag was a factor. The 13 hours of sleep that followed the day definitely helped.