Its been at least 4 weeks coming back from Sydney, and thus, the next semester started. I kinda resolve to work work harder this sem, so I won't be feeling sorry for myself like the one that just went by. 3.56 ain't exactly good. The trip was great. During the first few days there I felt as if I were looking at things differently. To quote my mum "Traveling makes you see in a wider perspective". On the other hand, things were probably different. Maybe it seemed nicer because I was unfamiliar with it, like tobacco, the more familiar with it, the more you need to get the same effect.
In general the temperature fluctuated between days. Mostly cold and rainy on the first week, and on the second, days of alternating heat and cool. The main objectives of the trip were: 1. Meet the grandparents (father's side) 2. Allow mum to revamp her wardrobe 3. Relax To cut a long long story short, we did.
We actually spent most of our time walking around the Darling Harbour area, mostly because we were staying there. Near the harbour was the the fish market. And the food there was freshly caught and cooked. I assume they start bringing in fish from 4am to 6am, then they sell till about 3 or 4pm.
Good stuff.
Mine !
Then if you continue to walkabout the area, you see some quirks
Found on the side of a truck at the fish market
An aboriginal made and owned boat !
I thought YaoJun might appreciate this.
The garbage dump. I think the bird with the hooked beak looks disgusting.
The pelicans are actually damn large
And the gulls ain't afraid of no human. Feed one, and the rest will come for you, no kidding. Something experienced at Bondai beach.
Just wanted a ghetto looking shot for the homie in me ;)Just a walk across the bridge and 1 or 2 streets more and we'd be walking through Chinatown, which we did. There we found the paddys market which only happens on Fri,Sat, Sun ( I think)
It was mostly an upmarket pasar malam, and above it , many retail outlets. Thus, no photos.
Got a hoodie from there.
I guess I'll slowly be sticking to pictures up, few at a time.
Many of the pics were taken to show the slightly less good looking parts of Sydney,
with exception of some of the scenery.
But not now.
I've got other things on my mind, one of which, cycling / biking.
Alvin got a new bike, appx. $500 (I think)
It's a Marin Pioneer Trail. Entry level HT bike.
In Sydney, I went (window) shopping around for a bike.
Thus went to The St. Clarence Street Cyclery. One of the guys there claims its the oldest bike shop in Australia (or Sydney (my fault, memory lapse)).
I'm asked what I'm looking for, entry level HT. And I was recommended Trek's 4400.
$700 AUD. The guy also tells me that Gary Fisher (one of the/The MTB pioneer(s)) would be visiting at about 4pm. Wow ?
Anyway, I'm glad I didn't buy it. According to Alvin, it's $600 SGD, also I kinda realised that somehow, the rear end of the frame looked like it was part of the top tube slanted back a bit. When I saw a girl, who was probably french (The french school was really nearby) riding one. And was confirmed by 2 boys, one of them on the 4400, the other I didn't really take a look.
Anyway, the most important factor was price, so I just repaired the old black Avanti Montari, which used to belong to my dad in NZ. So first I went to a neighbourhood bike shop in Paya Lebar, and the man saw the gear shifters and told me it couldn't be repaired, so I just replaced the old, broken, brittle and rusting kickstand with a new one, and got new tyre linings. Then we brought the bike to Trek, where the people there helped it get right (But I felt the high of riding).
Now it rides pretty well, no suspensions or what, but it hums aggresively.
The next step is to repaint the frame. A few rust marks can be seen, but nothing major I suppose.
After that I want to find out where the trails are. Alvin said he was intimidated by the one in Tampines.
I ought to ask someone who knows, maybe like this lady I saw on the back page of Mind Your Body a few weeks back. Angela Leow Gray or something. Mountain biking and Muay Thai every week.
Speaking of martial arts, I think I overstretched yesterday morning and partially tore or pulled out something in my right thigh. On the line which the hip joint bends, along the brief line, there is a bump, not prominent but there, and it does hurt when touched. Tried pushing it in, but it won't work.
But at least the temporary increases pain helps dull the constant one. Norman says hernia. I hope not. Wait a week and see.
