2015 June: Australia: Blue Mountains: Jenolan Caves

It's a decision between to do or not to do it because of the price and the schedule.  A week before our flight we have decided to do it since there is nothing much to do in the city.

An addition to my cave adventure (after Sumaguing in Sagada, Callao in Cagayan, Sung Sot Cave (Cave of Surprises) in Halong Bay, Manjanggul Cave (lava tunnel) in Jeju) glad we made it!

Realizations for our decisions:

• The Trolley Tours works with Jenolan Office to reserve the tickets and guided tour for the cave.  We got a 2.00 aud discount booked from Metropole Hotel and they were able to reserved us in both Trolley return ride and Cave tour.
• The Chifley Cave is a good choice and gives you enough time (to do the cave, quick lunch, self-guided tour in Nettle Cave, visit at blue lake, quick visit in souvenir shop and a 30 minute rest before the bus leaves at 3:30pm). Personal choice of good cave is the Diamond Cave but can be visited if you stay there overnight in Jenolan Hotel or if you have private car to be there by 9:00am.
• If you don't mind being the reason for the delay of the bus departure in the afternoon, you may take both Chifley and Lucas. There is also Oriental Cave (check the schedule).  Be mindful of the negative reviews about of Trolley Tours (read more in Trip Advisor).

We left Trolley Shoppe/bus from Carlton Stop at 10:30am.  It is a long almost 1-1.5 hours bus ride heading to the caves.

Going there stay on the left side of the bus to experience the cliff adventure.

Chifley Cave guided tour started at exactly 12:30nn.

2015 June: Australia: Katoomba: Scenic World

In Central Station, head to platform 7. Take note that 1st and last coach is a quiet coach, meaning you should minimize the tone of your voice, phone on mute and be mindful of your movement/noise. Better stay in the middle coach. It will be around 2 hours, so don't miss Katoomba stop, otherwise you'll reach Mount Victoria.

Scenic World
From the internet not much says about the quickest access to Scenic World - mostly website suggests to take the Blue Mountains HOHO and the Troley Tours.  Please be aware that there is Bus #686 run by the government which accepts Opal Card.

2015 June: Australia: Katoomba: Metropole

Why stay in Katoomba?  Because we can't have Scenic World and Jenolan Caves at the same day.

Metropole Katoomba

Site: http://metropolekatoomba.com.au/

Location: Corner Gang Gang and Lurlline Streets, Katoomba, NSW 2780, Blue Mountains, Australia

Just across Katoomba Station!

Book Metropole Katoomba, Blue Mountains, Australia in Agoda

You can see Katoomba Station from the fire place/3rd Floor

Australia: Sydney: Bondi Beach

Australia, famous for it's best beaches!  But since it is too cold for us to be playing on the water, the closest and easiest to visit for a short time will be Bondi Beach.  

With shops that offer affordable ROX items to be most loved graffiti walls expressing emotions and warm relationship among others.  One that touched my heart is the wall that remembers the Bali bombing which hurt Sydney tourists at that time. (since we saw the site in Bali as well)

2015 June: Sydney: Ultimo, Haymarket, Town Hall

After my visit, I can say it is not for all.  It will be mostly appreciated by those who love applied science or students coming from intensive science subjects in their lower years. 

Powerhouse Museum

Location: 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia

Site: http://maas.museum/visit/powerhouse-museum/

Located in the old Ultimo Power Station building adjacent to Darling Harbour, the Powerhouse Museum is the flagship venue of Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS). Its unique and diverse collection spans science, technology, design and decorative arts, engineering, architecture, health and medicine, fashion and contemporary culture.

Seems to small from the outside but has a lot to offer on their underground levels which stores the permanent exhibition. 

2015 June: Sydney: Central

You can reach Central area by taking buses (412, 413, 436, 438, 439, 440, 461, 480, 483) passing along Broadway and Parramatta Road.  First stop is the university area.

The University of Sydney

Location: New South Wales 2006, Australia

There were few students on our visit on a Sunday morning. Also, can't get a full photo of the Great Hall since there are a few maintenance vans parked in front of the building.  But still it was a nice spent morning for people watching on a sunny chilly weather.

Great Hall

Nicholson Museum

Australia: Sydney: Itinerary & Tips

Accommodation: Where to stay in Sydney?

Hotel in Sydney: Pensione Hotel Sydney, Haymarket

631-635 George Street, Haymarket, NSW, 2000 Australia

Hotel Review

Hotel in Katoomba/Blue Mountains: Metropole Katoomba

Gang Gang St & Lurline St, Katoomba NSW 2780, Australia

Hotel Review

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do in Sydney?

2015 Australia: Sydney: The Rocks

Inspired by Running Man's episode when they visited Victoria Library in Melbourne.  We have decided to visit State Library of NSW.

State Library of New South Wales
Location: Macquarie St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Link: http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/tours/index.html
Free Tour Schedule: Monday to Fridays at 10.30am

2015 June: Sydney: Churches

There are a lot of churches in the city. It's not only the catholic churches that have intricate designs, there were Anglican and others as well.  On the Pitts, you can also see the Scientology Church (Read). 

We're able to attend the Sunday mass in St. Peter Julian's Church.

St. Peter Julian Haymarket

Location: 641 George Street, Sydney   NSW

Site: http://www.stpeterjulianhaymarket.org.au 

Sunday  Mass  Times:  9.30  am,  11.00  am  (Chinese),12.30  pm,  3.30  pm  &  5.00pm  (Korean)

Gospel MK 14:12-16, 22-26 - June 07, 2015

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing,

broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body."

Flavors of Sydney and Katoomba, Australia

Are you heading to Australia to try some of the must eat, cheap eats, best tasty restaurants?  Let me share some of the places we have visited that may also fill-up your hunger for Australian food.

Alexandria

The Grounds of Alexandria

Food: Seasonal greens 7.00aud (with olive oil and sea salt), David Blackmore full-blooded wagyu cheeseburger 21.00aud (with shed-made dill pickles, mustard seed onions, tomato chili jam & lettuce, all on a pretzel bun with fries), Citrus Fizz (zesty orange and lemon soda), Elderflower and Cucumber soda

Value: 42aud (1450 php)

Location: 7A, 2 Huntley St, Alexandria NSW 2015

Website: http://thegrounds.com.au/

Personal Preference: 9 out of 10, I loved the experience.

2015 June: Sydney: Pensione Hotel Haymarket

Affordable accommodation upon my research in Sydney are mostly found in Kings Cross. Good prices from airbnb are in Darlinghurst. But, accessible location would be in main thorough fare of George Street which is near the Light Railways in Haymarket, Townhall station and Wynyard station.

Pensione Hotel Sydney, Haymarket

Location: 631635 George Street, Haymarket, NSW, 2000 Australia

Book Pensione Hotel Sydney, Australia in Agoda

Trip Advisor Reviews

Price: Discounted - Upon comparing the official website, agoda and expedia, the lowest price for 1 shoebox room for 7 nights  (P25,567.53) is in expedia (with 10k php hot deal discount).

Check-in: Quick and easy - Check-in time starts at 3pm.  But if they found the room available they can let you in upon arrival. They would also need 100.00 aud as a deposit, just surrender the receipt upon check-out.

For early travelers, they have guest lounge where you can take a rest and freshen-up before you start the day.

Australia: Visa Application

Most of the advise online is still to get a visa first before buying a ticket.  But what can I do if the fares are on sale?!

I bought my 5J ticket on 28-Oct-2014 during the Peek-a-BOOK Piso Sale for 7,060 php base fare RT. Now, how will I get the visa?

• Created an account at http://www.border.gov.au/immiaccount
• Applied for Visitor Visa (600), filled-up the form and submitted the following documents: