I had read several positive reviews about the Sydney Jewish Museum and decided to visit. This museum exhibits documents and objects related to the Holocaust and the Jewish culture. The museum is close to the Kings Cross Railway Station so I decided to take the train. I walked to the Central Railway Station where I bought a “day tripper” transit pass for A$15. The pass allows the holder to ride on trains, busses, and some ferries (but not the light rail or monorail) within a certain boundary surrounding central Sydney. It’s a great deal, but only if you plan to make several trips via public transportation throughout the day. If you only plan to use public transportation a few times in one day I suggest purchasing point to point tickets or paying single fares and saving a few dollars. I made my way via train to the Kings Cross Station where I exited the station and found myself in an area dotted with strip bars, sex shops, bars, cafes, and a few coffee houses and other assorted businesses. Although busy with pedestrians, I decided this was probably not a place to wander about during the late evening hours. As I exited the station I walked to the right and started watching the street numbers looking for 148 Darlinghurst Road. The numbers decreased as I walked further from the train station. When I reached the 100 block I was unable to locate #148. I walked back and forth several times, then crossed a major roadway and noticed the street numbers were increasing starting at #100. Still no #148! I stopped several passers-by and asked if they could direct me to the museum but no one could assist me. Finally I found someone who knew where the museum was located. She said to keep walking in the same direction and that the street numbers would again decrease. What a strange numbering system! Sure enough, about four blocks further I found the museum (about a 10 minute walk from the train station). I paid the A$10 entrance fee and was greeting by one of the museum hosts. She told me the museum has a large group of volunteer hosts, all who are Holocaust survivors. She walked me around the ground floor exhibits and provided me with some extensive background information on all of the exhibits. She told me other hosts upstairs could give me first hand accounts of life during the Holocaust if I were interested in hearing their stories. Upstairs I browsed through two other floors of exhibits that included artifacts and photos that helped me to understand and appreciate what life was like for the Holocaust victims. I was glad I visited the museum and highly recommend anyone who has an interest in Jewish culture and the Holocaust visit this museum.

I trekked back to the Kings Cross Train Station and boarded a train for Bondi Junction. Upon arrival I went upstairs to the bus terminal and boarded a bus to Bondi Beach. About 15 minutes later the bus arrived at Bondi Beach where I de-boarded. I spent the next few hours walking around the promenade dotted with cafes, bars, and an assortment of shops and markets. I took a break for lunch then had a nice long walk on the strand along the beach. The weather was perfect, the temperature comfortable, and on a Monday I was surprised to see so many people sunning themselves on the beach. But then again this IS Australia right? It didn’t take me long to immerse myself in their laid-back culture.

By late afternoon jet lag was getting the better of me. I headed back to the hotel, did some unpacking, then walked to Chinatown (literally right behind the hotel) to find a place to eat. There are a number of restaurants in Chinatown, most which serve similar food at tourist prices, but I was too tired to walk anywhere further and so I found myself a nice restaurant with a fairly extensive menu. The food was acceptable but nothing special. I then called it a night and had a restful nights sleep before my early morning trek to the airport at 5:30AM.

When I visited Australia in 1988 to attend the World Expo in Brisbane I participated in the home-stay program. I stayed with a wonderful Australian family and have maintained that friendship for the past fourteen years. Even though my trip itinerary this visit left me little time to make a proper visit with my friends, I decided to make a day trip since the air fares were reasonable; about US$105 roundtrip SYD / BNE / SYD (“red e-fare” booked via the Internet). This time I decided to try taking the train to the airport. I walked to the Central Railway Station, bought my roundtrip ticket from the machine (A$22), then walked to the platform. About ten minutes later the train arrived and after three stops and about 15 minutes ride time I had arrived at the Domestic Terminal at Sydney Airport. The departure level was just two levels above. This mode of transport was so much quicker and pleasant and worth the few more dollars over the cost of the shuttle.

March 29, 2004
Sydney to Brisbane to Sydney
Qantas 506 Economy Class – Seat 43J – A330-200 (Outbound)
Qantas 559 Economy Class – Seat 1D 737-800 (Return)
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I checked in at one of the kiosks. The computer offered to issue my return boarding pass since I would be returning the same day. This was great as it would eliminate the check-in process for the return and allow me to spend a bit more time with my friends. As someone who has only flown Qantas twice in the past, I was very impressed with the service and efficiency of their operation. The boarding area was packed with passengers. My boarding card showed a boarding time just twenty minutes prior to departure. I wondered how Qantas could expect to board 200+ passengers and depart on time. As with all the other domestic Qantas fights I would take on this trip no pre-boarding was offered and surprisingly there was no rush to the gate when boarding began. Passengers strolled into the jetway after having an opportunity to select audio headsets and a newspaper from the bins at the top of the jetway. Once on the plane, each passenger located his or her seat and sat down. On this particular flight I was amazed everyone was in their seat and ready to go by the departure time. I’m sure the expedited boarding had a lot to do with the fact that Australian travelers, unlike their American counterparts, tend not to carry onto the plane their entire cache of luggage. This was my very first ride in the A330-200. The interior of the plane was spacious and bright and even the seats in economy were comfortable with what seemed like above average seat pitch. Even the lavatories seemed a bit more spacious and bright. I found it nice to have a constant stream of water from the faucet with one push of the water fixture, unlike older plans where you have to try and wash your hands while holding down one of the water handles. We departed on time and within five minutes after takeoff the flight deck switched off seat belt light and the FA’s began the breakfast service. I had never seen such efficiency before. The staff served the entire plane in about 25 minutes and even made a second offering of coffee and tea! Breakfast consisted of cold cereal with milk, a biscuit (cookie), and a small apple contained in a nicely decorated box. Coffee, tea, OJ, and water complimented the meal. All of this was much more than one would expect in economy class on any U.S. airline making a 75 minute flight. While I enjoyed my breakfast I watched a short documentary and the news on one of the many overhead TV screen spread throughout the cabin. The very personable and cheerful staff cleared the cabin of all service items about twenty minutes before landing. I gave Qantas a 10 out of 10 for service…. at least on this flight. ^

My friends met me at the airport and we headed off for a drive down the Gold Coast taking the back roads through the interior mountains as we headed towards New South Wales. We stopped for lunch at a pub in a little town (I don’t recall the name) in what seemed like the middle of no where. After a leisurely Australian “dining experience” (e.g. beer and sandwiches), we began our journey back to Brisbane on the highway along the coast which offered some memorable views. We had dinner at the home of my friends, caught up on fourteen years of happenings in our lives, then I was off to the airport. Since my return boarding pass was issued in Sydney, I went directly to the gate. Boarding was efficient (as mentioned above) and we departed on time. Upon arrival in Sydney I headed downstairs to the train station, waited for just a few minutes for the train to arrive, then boarded a train to downtown. Total time from the time I stepped off the plane to the time I walked into my hotel room was a mere 40 minutes!