Hipster in Sydney | Week 1: Arriving and Settling Down (Tips!)

So, long time I have not updated this blog...The reason is...I've recently called this beautiful city home and it will be for at least the next 1,5 years. After which? We shall see :)

The world famous Sydney Opera House at Sydney Harbour

There's always that trepidation, when you're about to move into a new unfamiliar territory. The fear of loneliness and uncertainty. But I believe it is just a part and parcel of a human's life. Everyone will experience it at some point of time in their lives and everyone have different ways of coping with it.

The path to greatness is often lonely...(captured at Eastern Avenue, University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus)

For me, Sydney not just a new place, but it is also a new country, a new city, a new culture to adapt to. I moved here because I am currently enrolled as a Master student at Australia's oldest Tertiary Institution, with history dating back more than a century, The University of Sydney.

The Quadrangle, University of Sydney, Camperdown Campus

I took a direct flight from Jakarta to Sydney, that took off midnight and touched down at Kingsford International Airport in the morning. I'd strongly suggest you to sit by the window on the right rows, because you're in for a spectacular sunrise view! Watch in child-like awe, as the sky's colours turn from indigo to golden yellow...

Rise and shine! Sunrise view from thousands feet above en route Jakarta - Sydney

Right after arriving in Sydney Kingsford airport, the first thing to do was to buy a local number, which was what I did as I needed to access the mobile data to guide me around the new city. My choice of telco provider fell on Optus, because that's what I used the first time I visited OZ (last year) and because the signal is reasonably strong. If you're just visiting for a short period, I suggest you buy the Daily Prepaid plan that's only $2/day and it entitles you to 500mb data daily on top of other free perks (I'm not endorsed by Optus, so this is purely my personal suggestion).

Without further ado and with no intentions of bragging at all, I've especially composed this entry to share my 6 favourite highlights about the first week I've spent in Sydney. Some of these things are actually useful and relevant if you plan on moving to Sydney for studies / work, or even just for a holiday!

Here are the 6 highlights of my first week of moving to Sydney:

1. Driving in Sydney (for the first time)

I was momentarily stranded at the airport, contemplating the available options to get to city from the airport. I could: take a taxi or hire an Uber (yes, now you can! They've a dedicated pick up point). Just at that very moment, a crazy idea of renting a car from a car rental companies, came across me when I saw their advertisement and signs at the arrival hall. Driving for the first time outside my own country, sure why not?? A taxi ride from Airport to Surry Hills cost at least AUD 50, probably only $5 less with Uber, but with a rented car, you get to use the car for an entire 24 hours for just a little more.

There are several car rental companies that set up their counters at the arrival Hall and my choice fell to Thrifty (very appropriate name right?!), as recommended by fellow netizens. I got myself a Mitsubishi Mirage for AUD 56.80/day (car only). The rental company will advise you to take the 'protection' scheme that protects the customer if sh*t happens to the car. For an additional fee of $40ish, you get covered for up to $4,000 damage fees. This is optional, so it's perfectly fine to opt out. If you're confident with your driving skills, then you could absolutely safe $40 for something else. I decided to risk my luck and drove on the streets of Sydney for the first time ever in my life without the protection scheme. If you're a worry wart, then I suggest your take the protecion scheme.

On top of that, you'll have to factor in other expenses like toll fees (if you drive past one), parking fees and gas. Sounds quite scary, but I ended up paying $0 for toll (set my google maps to avoid tolls), less than $10 for gas (travelled 100km) and $4 for 2 hrs parking within Sydney Uni. Parking wise, there are always free parking options in Sydney, for example some shopping malls (eg: Broadway & Chatswood Westfield) do not charge the first 3 hours. 

And boy DO I enjoy driving in Sydney! There's hardly any traffic jam, the streets are smooth, although it may get confusing if you take highways and such. But as long as you're focused and pay attention to the traffic signs, you will be fine. Oh, and bring your driver's license at all times!

Highlight Week 1: driving (un-assisted) around Sydney for the first time in my life

2. Hunting for a place (to stay at)

There are many platforms where you could find accommodation here. I'd personally recommend gumtree.com.au and flatmates.com.au. When looking for a long term place to stay, you MUST perform inspection, to get a feel of the place and meet the landlord or other tenants living in the property. I actually found it rather fun because I got to meet a lot of new people from various backgrounds. The inspections may be tiring and seem daunting (due to so any choices), but just trust your gut feeling and don't settle for anything that doesn't feel right to you.

3. Discovering the Sydneysider's charm

What can I say, I'm loving the city more and more by the day...I've encountered the friendly charm of locals, even if we are strangers. Like the other day, an elderly gentleman kindly shared his table with me, because it was raining outside, I had nowhere to sit and eat my food. We even ended up talking about random topics, from local changes to US politics. Or the other instance when I sat for hours at a gelato cafe (of course I ordered something, but my coffee was emptied soon enough while I was waiting for a friend). I was surprised that the store personnel gave me another cup of coffee, for free! And the next one, while it may not be exactly a charming encounter, but still interesting to mention anyway: a guy exclaimed loudly in shock when he saw me taking photos of my lunch. I just smiled to him. =P

Pork & Fennel Sausage Roll AUD 4 | Mocha AUD 4.50, Bourke Street Bakery - Surry Hills

Bourke Street Bakery, never seen it without a queue outside the store!

Flat White AUD 4, Nan's Place, Zetland

4. Experiencing Winter Down Under

For someone who's born in and lived in a tropical climate her entire life, winter may be challenging. I came unprepared, because I brought quite a lot of summer clothings. Even if the temperature is not so low, it's the wind that's unbearable! But the winter in Sydney is still considerably mild because you can still see flowers bloom everywhere .

5. Studying in Australia's oldest university 

I'm proud to call meself a student (again) at one of the world's leading universities. The present and the past has integrated into current day's massive Camperdown campus.

Everything is just so instagrammable!

The Quadrangle lawn

Welcoming BBQ party by the Sydney Uni Fitness Community

A very Australian welcome for students: hotdog and bun!

6. Weekend markets

Every weekend, there will be something happening somewhere in Sydney and I went to search for the weekend markets happening last Sunday (24 July 2016). I visited Rozelle Collector's Market at Rozelle area and The Rocks Aroma Festival. The two couldn't be any better opposite of each other! Rozelle is a haven for vintage and second hand (pre-loved) stuff, para, trinkets and stuff. It is also visited by locals from all walks of life (children to senior citizens) and specied (hello to the adorable pets!). Whereas The Rocks Aroma Festival was an annual pilgrimage that any coffee lovers must make while in Sydney. The fest involves all sorts of coffee players here, as well as food, clothing and souvenir stalls, coffee classes, etc. And it was the first time I saw so many people gathered for a single cause (pursuit of coffee) in Sydney before!

Great coffee for a positive charity cause (donate as you will)

Wagyu Beef Cheeseburger AUD 10

Whereas, the scene at Rozelle Collector's Market:

And that was just the first week! Can you imagine the fun that awaits me in the following weeks? I feel that I still don't have enough time every single day (this happens, when one enjoys what he/she is doing). Culinary Bonanza, signing out for the day!

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