My sister, Jen, dropped me at the airport early which I was grateful for. Walking into the airport I felt there was something missing – my passport! Hahahah I will not be needing it this time! I had help doing the electronic booking and baggage and then realised when I had decided to put my bag into the hold that I had forgotten to transfer the sharps! Fortunately the young guy helping me had time to retrieve my bag from the conveyor belt. The benefits of arriving early! I took myself through the baggage check with a clear conscience of no sharps then sat waiting for my flight.
As I sat in an empty area a small boy, about 18 months, approached me then sat across from me watching me. I could feel his eyes on me so looked up. He smiled. I started to chat and wondered where his family was then realised there was a man standing some distance behind me observing us. That was a relief. I said ‘is that your daddy?’ turning to look at the man. He nodded. Daddy was glad that someone else was entertaining his son giving him a break. The boy was such a charmer but soon lost interest and wondered off with dad following behind.
It was then I realised the keys to my suitcase were missing! The last time I had them was unlocking my money belt at the bag check. Praise the Lord they had been found and kept safely for my return.
I was so excited to be off on my travels again. Sojourning to the city I’d spend nearly 20 years in after my return from ministry in Thailand.
The flight was very uneventful and restful as I watched ‘The Dressmaker’ and chatted to the Venetian tourist who was seated beside me. He was flying out to meet his girlfriend before hiring a campervan to travel north along the NSW coast. I was also pleasantly surprised to be offered a complementary meal, this was not what I remembered of Virgin Airlines!
On landing I called Vi-Lay to let her know I had arrived and was heading towards the pickup area. Vi-Lay had kindly offered to put me up during my visit which was lovely. It’s always nice to stay with friends when visiting places, somewhere homely to rest and relax, a base from which to plan your adventures.
September 2014 was the last time I was in Sydney, it seems such a long time ago now, just over two years and not much has changed. It wasn’t long before I slipped back into old friendships and surroundings as if I’d never left! Even though I have three weeks here there is so much I want to pack into my visit and so many friends to catch up with.
Vi-Lay has a lovely flat in Revesby very close to shops and the railway line which is so convenient, especially as now I have an OPAL travel card which gives me a senior concession. I’m able to get to most of the places by train and bus with a walk in between. I must admit I’ve been very lazy with the jogging as I have been trying to stick to Perth time and waking up around 8am (which is in fact a sleep in, Perth time) Syd is three hours ahead of Perth.
Saturday was Chinese New Year and Vi-Lay had a luncheon with her family in Burwood so dropped me off at the shops where I wandered around till she picked me up. Here I saw a dragon dance performed. A team of Chinese dances were going from one Chinese shop to another performing. From here we stopped at Korong in Ryde then on for afternoon tea and soup at the Carlingford Village before visiting Vi-Lay’s friends Lee, Jessie and kids in Westleigh for dinner. One of the reasons for visiting was for Jessie to help Vi-Lay prepare for her interview at work which I sat in on for a bit of guidance, since I hope to look for some work on my return. She is applying for another position and needed a bit of a mock run through.
Church on Sunday I joined Vi-Lay at Kirkplace, my old church. It was lovely to see many of my friends but sad to see many had moved on as it would have been nice to have been able to catch up with more them. Carl and Fiona invited Vi-Lay and I to join them for lunch at the Japanese restaurant in the square behind the church. Vi-Lay and I then went shopping in Aldi, before driving to Como for a walk. It’s so nice to be with someone who enjoys walking. Earlier I had rang our friend Sonali as I hadn’t seen her at church, they have joined a church closer to where they now live. She invited us over for dinner and although Vi-Lay couldn’t join us she wanted to see Sonali too. The walk was a short fill in before dropping me off. We walked across the bridge at Como into the park and rocks. It was a lovely day not too hot. Vi-Lay then stopped for a quick chat with Sonali and David before heading off to her pre-planned date while I caught up with all the latest news over dinner. It was a lovely evening, I even made a few gardening suggestions and helped trim a very old rose bush. David later dropped me back. I stayed up till midnight to try to keep my body clock on Perth time. It was lovely as Vi-Lay was able to stay up too as she had a day off work on Monday. We planned out our three week diary, noting the times and places and appointments we had so that we could arrange things around what was already scheduled. It didn’t take us long to full in some fun things to do.
Monday we started with a long walk at Picnic Point before going to Rockdale for lunch at a familiar Thai Restaurant. It wasn’t as good as I had remembered. We then stopped at Rockdale Library were Vi-Lay needed time to work on her interview. I took this opportunity to visit three op shops. Here I found a pair of shoes for special occasions and a new pair of swimmers. I was very pleased with my finds.
It had been a hot day so to cool off we decided to go for a swim in 
Botany Bay. We drove along The Grand Parade from Brighton-Le-Sands looking for an appropriate place to park. We found the perfect spot beside change rooms to slip into our swimmers. Then leaving everything in the car because we thought the water looked a bit choppy we went for a walk instead. Not far past Doll’s Point Baths the water was more sheltered and calm. I asked some bathing Muslim women, who were fully dressed splashing around looking like they were enjoying themselves, what the water was like. They encouraged us to come in so we did. It was so refreshing. Without our towels we threw our tops back on and drip dried as we walked back. We were still a little damp even after changing out of our swimmers, still this didn’t stop us from having dinner at a Rockdale Vietnamese Restaurant. Vi-Lay wanted me to try the Banana Blossom Salad. It was delicious.
Tuesday I started my adventure on public transport. I took the train via Wolli Creek to Rockdale then a bus from the station to Forrest Road to visit my accountant before taking a short walk to see my friend from gym who later dropped me in Kogarah where I visited my optometrist. From here I was picked up by Carl and Fiona who had invited me to their home so I could show them how to use Facebook chat. From here I was taken to the Sans Souci RSL for a coffee before dropping me at the Kogarah train station for a train back to Revesby. For those of you who know my drinking habit I can’t take coffee after 1:30 pm as it effects my sleep but while I have been in Sydney on Perth time I’ve had a coffee as late as 4:30pm EST. It’s been great!
Later that evening, I joined Vi-Lay for dancing. She meets up with some of her friends learning Rock n Roll and Swing. It was a fun evening but confirmed I have two left feet! I have tried several times to dance and although I love the thought I just can’t make my feet do what my heart loves. I think I’ll stick to the free style dancing as unto the Lord!
O
n Wednesday I had a physio appointment in Rockdale and decided I’d take the train to Bexley North and then a bus to Rockdale for my appointment at 10:45 am. I thought I had plenty of time to get to the library beforehand too. I would have had plenty of time if I hadn’t decided that instead of waiting for the bus I’d start walking for a bit of exercise. I got part way up the hill, took a toilet break and saw the bus go sailing by! Blast! I rang the physio to let them know I would be running late and walked and jogged the rest of the way down Harrow Rd. At least my body was warmed up for my physio appointment. I then went back to the library to collect a few movies before stopping off for a coffee at McCafe opposite Rockdale Plaza. I then visited my doctor who burnt off a skin blemish. From here I walked back to Rockdale station where I took the first bus heading to Beverly Hills. This bus went via Hurstville. I decided I had time to break my journey there to see if I could find my favourite Chinese desserts and a hair salon which I was told I could get a $10 haircut. I wanted to try a certain bob style but little did I know I’d be back the next day to get more cut off. Still it was an experience. I’m back to the style I had before I left Sydney, short and manageable. It was then two more trains before arriving back at Revesby where I cooked satay for our dinner. Our first dinner at home since I arrived. We have been busy girls!
Thursday I decided I’d have a morning at home watching movies before taking the train to Beverly Hills and the bus to Hurstville for my second haircut. I felt much better having the terrible bob cut off. That night I drove Vi-Lay’s car to meet her at a Christian singles dinner and bible study night at Hurlstone Park Emmanuel Church. We sat around the table chatting and discussing the book “The Meaning of Marriage”. The group is a safe place to talk about the challenges and questions singles face during their walk as singles. We then drove home where we chatted more before Vi-Lay turned in to get some sleep before work. I’ve been enjoying staying up but it does feel rather weird!
On Friday I once again took the morning off and lazed around the house trying to arrange when to visit friends. Then off to do some shopping in Kogarah before meeting up with the old Friday night pub group. I got there early and was warmly greeted by name by the barmaid who remembered me. Amanda was the first to arrive from the old regulars which was nice as we had time to catch up before Beth and Brad, Brian, Michelle and her family then some of the others trickled in. There was an event happening at Kirkplace so not everyone could come. Around 9pm Vi-Lay called to say she was on her way and would pick me up outside the pub, we had another appointment with some of her girlfriends to celebrate Chinese New Year tossing the salad. Everyone had brought some of the ingredients which were neatly piled around a large plate, we then took a set of chopsticks each and tossed the salad while saying something encouraging. It had also been decided that it would be a durian party. There was durian coffee (4 in one Malaysian style), durian ice cream, durian pancakes and two fresh durians. Amongst all the Chinese girls there was not one who knew how to open the fresh durians. I was the odd one out being the only Caucasian as well as the only one who knew how to open the durians. It was a fun night to end my first week in Sydney.
Photos: 1. Sans Souci beach 2. Kirkplace 3. Como Bridge 4. Vi-Lay at Como 5. Opening a durian 6. On the train
Prayer & Praise Points:
Praise the Lord for all the blessings He has showered me with. For Jen being able to stay and care for Mum and His provision enabling my visit to Sydney.
Praise Him for Vi-Lay’s generous hospitality and friendship.
Please pray that my sister Jenny enjoys her time with mum and that she finds work when she returns to Geelong.
Praise the Lord for mum’s continual good health and safety on the road. Please pray that she will willing decide to give up driving before her licence expires on 21 April this year. Please continue to pray Mum stays safe on the road.
Please pray with me that this year will be one of knowing His leading, strength and wisdom as I encounter the challenges that lie ahead. Pray also that I am able to find some paying work.
Thank you to all my supportive friends and prayer partners. I really do appreciate you.