Day 1 - 14 August 2012 (Tue)

By the time we checked-in and settled in, it was close to 2 and we were famished. The hotel staff recommended a nearby restaurant Uliveto Cafe and we had our first meal in Sydney there - a macchiato, a Mexican beef stew for Tobs, and a Chicken Schnitzel for me.

That came up to AUD35. Steep huh. Mains are usually AUD15 and above and drinks are at least AUD4. High costs of living they have there. Plus the AUD is strong now so that was quite a painful first meal (but eventually we got used to it).

• TIP: tap water is potable and free. remember to specify to the waiter that you want tap, otherwise, you may get sparkling water instead (which is of course, chargeable)

Thereafter, we roamed around the Darlinghurst and Surry Hills area on foot, observing the neighbourhood life. The thing I love about not going on guided tours is that we can really take time to do whatever we want - including stopping at a neighbourhood park to watch dog owners walk their dogs, kids play in the playground, and hopeful pigeons coming up to us thinking we will feed them (...)

Stopped at Crown Street Grocer when it became too dark and cold to hang around in the park. Had a hot chocolate and a slice of carrot cake (total AUD8.50). Sat around to discuss our itinerary for the next few days and then 6pm came.

Significance? Well I have done my due diligence to seek out group-buying deals on several Australia websites such as Groupon, Cudo, and Ouffer, just to name a few. Purchased several deals and used them on this trip. Ought to have purchased more, on hindsight, because the savings were quite substantial.

Anyhow, my Cudo voucher was for dinner for 2 pax at Agave Mexican resturant, 410 Crown Street. Paid AUD39 for 2 mains and 2 frozen margaritas. Quite worth it I must say, for the portion size.

Dropped by the Cole Supermarket near the hotel and bought a bunch of eats including milk (the cheapest drink around), and cherries (expensive, but still worth the money cos I love berries).

Accommodation

Accommodation: The Bayswater Sydney, 17 Bayswater Road, Kings Cross

The location was great - just 3 mins away from the train station. Not that we ever used it really. There is also a supermarket nearby and plenty of food options. I would recommend it for people who are going to use the trains. We had originally planned to but realised walking saves us a lot of money (to be later spent on food) and did just that.

The original room we were assigned to was small. There was hardly enough walking space and much less, space for 2 luggages. I was rather appalled. Even the tiniest accommodation options in Japan wasn't that cramped.

Due to a strange turn of events (lack of blinds in the toilet), we had our room changed to a bigger one, room 501. But the bed size was still the same. Don't expect too much - the room is comfortable and all the necessary amenities are there. The shower can only fit one or else it gets really tight. One other huge complaint I have is the lack of wifi. But otherwise, everything else about Bayswater is fine.

All guests can use a nearby gym but we didn't because we did lots of walking around. The noise from the nearby partying will only get to you if you stay on low levels. On level 5, I slept well although on and off there's the dead drunk shouting at the top of his voice.

After our stay, we were given a "Guests with Benefits" card which entitled us to 5% off online rates, free wireless internet, priority check-in, late check-out (normal check-out is 10am btw), and flexible cancellation policy.

We'd be happy to loan our "Guests with Benefits" card to anyone who may be keen on staying with Bayswater. This is applicable at all SydneyLodges properties.

Flight experience

Departure: 14 August 2012 0210 - 1140 on TZ2

The plan was to have a really heavy dinner and then just knock out the entire flight. We did have a very full korean buffet the night before. By the time we reached airport and checked in, I was already feeling sleepy.

The queue at the check-in counter was long but the staff worked fast. There was a separate staff who worked to collect passports for them to be checked before returning them to the passengers. For what reason, I did not know UNTIL we were called out of the queue and informed that we don't have valid visas to travel to Australia.

Tobs looked at me and sighed, wondering how he could have trusted me with planning for this trip. But hey all our other trips to most parts of the world did not require a visa!

So we had to apply for one from the airport information counter and that was S$50 each.

Thereafter, everything else was fine. We requested for seats in the centre block, along the aisle and got them. The plan is to secretly hope that there was not going to be any one else sitting in our row so that we can have ample space.

Boarding was prompt and relatively fuss-free. By this time I was already desperately past bed time and urgently requiring some shut-eye. When we got to our seats, we promptly brought out our sleeping pack and readied ourselves. There was another guest on our row so we did not get the whole row to ourselves as hoped for.

• TIP: pack a sleeping pack that you can use to make yourself comfortable for an overnight flight. Ours contained (1) inflatable pillow (2) eye shade (3) ear plugs

Not that it would be a problem, really. I found, to my surprise, that the leg space was decent, and possibly more than a regular economy flight. What is definite is that seats are able to incline further than usual. I actually prepped some sleeping pills because I am well known for being unable to sleep in dire conditions and was thankful I required none.

After I dozed off, I slept continuously until the cabin announcement on commencing descent in 30 mins' time. This was when thefreshen-up pack came handy and I prepped myself to enjoy my Day 1 in Sydney. Tobs woke up much later, when the plane had actually commenced descent.

• TIP: pack a freshen-up pack to get ready in the morning before you land. Ours contained (1) cleansing wipes (2) sample sized moisturiser (3) sample sized sunblock (4) mouth rinse

Arrival: 20 August 2012 1250 - 1900 on TZ1

Coming back was no problem although our pick up came slightly late but we still arrived at the airport on time. Plenty of food options in Sydney International Airport so we ate before we got on board and relied on random snacks on the flight.

• TIP: you will be needing a lot more water on the return leg because you won't be sleeping as much. Pack a few empty bottles to fill up either before you get on board or on board itself. Scoot has a tap that allows all passengers to get drinking water.

No problems with the return flight either, although this time, it was a full flight and we had to find things to amuse ourselves with for 8 whole hours. A book or a iPad will suffice. You can even rent one from Scoot and enjoy the preloaded content.

FAQs
Q: Should I upgrade my seat to stretch or super stretch?
A: Honestly, I found the regular seats comfortable and didn't think there was a need for stretch, much less super stretch. (I would rather spend the money on food!) If you really need a stretch, then get up and walk around the aircraft, I say.

Q: How's the food on Scoot?
A: We didn't get any. Just didn't feel like having them due to the full lunch. But some of the other passengers around us ordered meals and it did smell good.

Flights bought

When Scoot first launched their budget flights to Sydney and Gold Coast, I couldn't resist. And between the 2 destinations, I've been to Gold Coast and Tobs seem to think it more a family destination. So Sydney it is then.

Purchased our tickets on 21 Mar 2012 after a nerve wrecking experience trying to beat the other people who were grabbing tickets from the launch. Guess how much we paid for Fly+Bag combo?

S$726.26.

For TWO of us.

I was very pleased with the deal because flying on SQ or Qantas would cost at least $888 and those promos were only available once in a while.

As we drew closer to the date of departure, Tobs began to have doubts and quipped that perhaps we should have just taken economy on a full-serviced flight. I think he is quite uncertain whether I will survive the flight. More on that.