Australia Travel Blog: First Time Taking Sydney Metro (Subway)

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 2

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 1

Sydney International Airport Station

While I was waiting for my train to come, I took a closer look at the Metro or subway station and some trains passing by on the other side of the station. 

In terms of cleanliness, lightings and fixtures, aesthetic looks, and everything else, I could not see much difference in a Sydney metro station than in a Toronto station. 

However, there were some obvious differences such as the Australian accent in the announcements, door closing chimes, and the noise of the train. And these were expected to be different in a different city. 

The train I boarded was a double-decker train, like Go Transit trains in Toronto. I noticed that yellow and silver colours were used for the trains’ inside and outside colour-theme. However, the seat covers were all blue. The door space felt like slightly wider than on Toronto TTC trains. 

Without any trouble, I changed my train at the Central Station and boarded a different train towards Kings Cross station. It took me slightly more than an hour to reach Kings Cross station. Once I got out of the station, it was close to 11:00 PM. I was out on the street and I was shocked to see so many people were out partying, sitting in open-air restaurants, or just hanging out. Although it was expected because it was Friday night, I have not seen people out partying on this scale for a while. 

That’s when I realized right away that Australians are happier than people in many other countries on the planet. People seemed to be friendly and cheerful. I wouldn’t mind watching people more, but I had to concentrate on finding my hotel, which was supposed to be not too far from the station. 

Australia Travel Blog: Just Landed in Sydney

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 1

At the SYD Airport

Passing airport immigration and customs was a breeze. It was all done electronically, and no one stopped me to ask any questions. Now, it was time to head for public transit. Sydney Airport is far from downtown, and it would cost a lot to take a taxi.

The train station I needed to take was the Sydney International Airport Station. The station was located at the northern end of the terminal; just a few minutes walk. I had only a piece of carry-on luggage, so it didn’t bother me to walk a little.

Sydney Metro Experience

I knew I had to reach Kings Cross Station, but I didn’t know how to reach it. After going underground a few levels on escalators, I saw the ticket counters and machines. It was close to 9:30 and I didn't see any humans, so machines were my only way to buy tickets.

The card I purchased from the machine for a one-way ride to my station was called Opal. Opal is the smartcard ticket you need to ride public transport systems in Sydney and many other cities in Australia. 

My trip cost me $18.70 AUD, which was close to the same amount in Canadian dollars. Once I tapped on the Opal card and got inside the station, I asked someone to tell me which platform to use and how to get to my final destination, Kings Cross. People seemed to be friendly and one young gentleman who looked like a student explained everything to me in detail. I needed to change the train at Central Station, i.e. change to platform 24 to take the Eastern Line train. 

Qantas International Business Class Review | Auckland – Sydney | Boeing 737-800 (winglets)

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 17 | QANTAS Business Class | Boeing 737 - 800

Business Class | Boeing 737 - 800

Like my Business Class flight from Melbourne to Auckland, I was expecting a business class cabin suite like in the Airbus A330 - 200, but I was disappointed. Qantas 737 - 800 Business Class seats are just upgraded versions of economy class.

These are not lie-flat seats. Laid out in a 2-2 configuration, Qantas 737 - 800 seats are recliner seats wrapped in maroon leather which offers 37 inches pitch and 22 inches width. There is no direct aisle access for window-side passengers. 

 Seats have an adjustable headrest and there is a 10.6-inch entertainment screen in the back of the seat. The problem with this is if the front person reclines, your monitor reclines too. For 7 inches more legroom and 5 inches more width, if I were paying for this flight, I would not upgrade from economy. 

The food, however, I couldn’t complain about. I had a sourdough sandwich with roast beef, cheddar cheese, tomato, and baby spinach. I also had coffee, ice cream and orange juice.

 The washrooms were OK, but I have had better ones in other business class flights. Another thing I noticed was that the aisle was narrow, so it was not easy to walk to the washroom if you bump into another person.

Overall, my experience with Qantas 737 - 800 was average. I was missing my Melbourne – Auckland Airbus A330 – 200 trip the whole time.

 I was scheduled to reach Sydney at 8:05 PM and planned to take the subway to reach my hotel in downtown Sydney. It would probably be midnight by the time I got there and I was excited about the experience of taking the subway in Sydney for the first time.

Auckland Airport – Qantas International Business Class Lounge Review

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 16

Last Day in Auckland | Leaving New Zealand

After reaching the airport, I headed to the Qantas Business Class counter. I was done very fast and headed towards the security checkup. The queue was minimal and I passed security without any issues.

But finding the Qantas Business class lounge seemed to be a bit of trouble. After passing the maze of the duty-free shopping area, I found a set of escalators to take to go to the second floor. The Qantas Business class lounge was located directly in front of the Priority Pass Strata Lounge.

The Qantas International Auckland Airport Lounge was somewhat of a mediocre lounge, neither good nor bad. The furniture, including sofas, high chairs, and others, looked bit old but I wouldn’t say it’s a small lounge.

There were some magazines on the shelves and a charging station made of shelves for electronics. I doubt anyone would charge something there and sit somewhere else.

There were coat and luggage racks for storage and I saw a small business centre with computers and printers if you need to work or print something.

The bathroom section looked better and there were plenty of amenities and towels. Shower facilities existed, but you need to go to reception first to use them.

I found the lounge not well lit. It had large windows to bring in natural sunlight, but those frosted windows blocked views and the lighting was not that bright.

The food section was adequate, but nothing extraordinary. I had a coffee and a light snack. I didn’t want to eat too much because I was more interested in trying Qantas’s business class in-flight food later on.

I was early at the airport and my flight was at 6:30 PM, so I had a lot of time on hand and took my time finishing recording the lounge for my YouTube Channel and taking pictures. I also made some calls to Canada to catch up.

Last Day in Auckland – Leaving New Zealand | Auckland Travel Blog

New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 15

Auckland Sky Tower | New Zealand Travel Blog: Part 14

My flight was at 6:30 PM Dec 14, 2018. I had the whole morning and afternoon to get ready for my trip to the airport. I would be reaching Sydney at 8:05 PM.

I would have to check out from my hotel at 11, so I took a mini-stroll in the downtown area near my hotel, had something to eat (Auckland street food), and came back on time to check out at 11.

My transportation to the airport was a shuttle service called Super Shuttle. It was from hotel door to airport service and was arranged by the hotel. The cost was $17.50 NZD, which was around $11.50 USD - not bad at all for a shuttle airport trip. Taking a public transportation SkyBus would have cost the same.

After checking out at the hotel, I was waiting for the shuttle to arrive. Because my flight was at 6:30 PM, I would have had a lot of time at the airport - which I didn’t mind because it would give me a plenty of time to complete a lounge video and try some food at Quantas’s lounge and pass some quiet time. 

The airport shuttle came slightly before the scheduled time. It was a luxury van and had a separate luggage trailer section attached to the van to carry suitcases and the like. This saved a lot of space inside the shuttle and made travel more comfortable. Another advantage the super shuttle had was its ability to use the dedicated bus lanes. It would save a lot of traffic time during rush hour.

I was very satisfied with the super shuttle service. The driver was courteous and helped me with my carry on in and out of the airport.

As I was heading towards the airport, I used my last minutes in the country observing wonderful New Zealand and appreciating its astounding beauty.