Sept 19 - Train and Base

Today was one of those days that amounts to nothing but felt really busy. Got up and had breakfast this morning, then checked out of Flying Fox, said our goodbyes and headed to the train station. Bought our tickets and took the train back into Sydney which is a couple hour ride. Unfortunately, we didn't use our noggins and book a hostel ahead of time, so after ariving in Sydney, we had to wander around trying to find hostels with room that were decently priced. We tried three that were all in the 35-40 a night each range, which is outrageous for a hostel we'd be at for less than a day. So wandered around until we found a McDonald's and hopped on their wifi to look for affordable hostels in the downtown area. Came across the Base hostel for 22 a night so walked over there. Their prices were actually 29 dollars, but at this point we didn't care much anymore so booked in for the night. Base is a really large hostel, and it too has the same impersonal feel that Brado's did during our first 3 nights in Sydney. It is a lot more modern and trendy than either of the first 2 hostels, with an attached bar, computer lounge, tv room, massive industrial kitchen, etc. But although it excels in flashiness, it lacks in closeness of guests, friendliness and feel. Alas, it's only one night here, so whatever.

After checking in, dropping the backpack in the room and scouting out the facilities, we headed to the harbour to get some night pictures. It turns out the part of the Harbour we are near is far from the Opera House and Harbour bridge, so it ended up being a lengthy walk, but it was worth it for the photos that resulted. Stopped for a sub on the way back and found it odd that they refer to their veggies as salad. As in, would you like salad for the sub? To which I said, um, no, just the sub please. It ended up being about two minutes of confusion until I figured out salad meant the vegetable selection. Sub was good, but definitely tasted different than the Subway back home.

Back at the hostel, we popped over to the attached Scary Canary bar for a pint then called it a night, planning to get up early and go surfing at Bondi beach before taking the Greyhound bus up to Byron Bay.