... So my last day in Indonesia had finally come. I went back to Grannys Hostel near Kuta/Legian. I had to prepare a few things for my next big destination, the fifth continent - Australia. When I got to Grannys Hostel all beds were occupied this time, but they arranged me mattress, which cost me only 80.000 IDR compared to the 120.000 IDR a bed would have cost. The next day, after having breakfast, I had to leave already. I said goodbye to my new found friends and left for the airport. I was driven by one of the workers at the hostel. The price for a single person was 45.000 IDR. A bit expensive I guess, but it was a car this time. To get there from the airport I paid 40.000 for a motor bicycle.
An important thing to know. At the Airport in Denpasar you will have to pay 150.000 IDR cash on airport tax. Your tickets won't include this, so keep that in mind and have that amount of cash with you.
When leaving Indonesia the customs officers have taken my fingerprints and wanted to know where my next destination was. As I told them that it was Australia, they asked me for my visa. Unbelievable what they worry about. It was the same in Cambodia. It's not like their problem when, I get rejected by Australia and sent back, is it?
Transit in Kuala Lumpur
I had booked a transit flight trough Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Getting through the security of Kuala Lumpur Airport was without a problem. Got my transit visum without questioning and entered Kuala Lumpur. It was night and I only spent 3 hours here, so I didn't see the city. The airport here isn't bad. You are just not allowed to take pictures. Malaysia was not as cheap as I would have expected it to be, but still the last chance to get cheap food before getting to Australia. Not everything is cheap in Malaysia, sweets from western countries were quite expensive, well Airports are in general more expensive as it seems.
When I got my bag to the check-in, I was asked for my visum for Australia. Again, I don't get why they care for that. At least they were more progressive than those on Bali and in Cambodia. From my passport number they were able to check my visa.
In the waiting room, they said that they wanted to check my passport. Seemed like I had a very rare one, as they told me, but it was probably a security check. Well, they were nice, not intrusive. I got my passport back and had actually a nice talk.
Finally arrived - Australia
The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney took 8 hours. It was noon when I landed there. The customs officeers greeted me with a "G'day mate", checked my passport and in seconds I was welcomed to enter Australia. When entering Australia you have to declare any food related stuff, as Australia is very strict with it.
So, here I was. Sydney, Australia. Finally arrived. Here I would spend the next three months, doing an internship. I always dreamed of coming here and my dream came true.
Don't exchange money at the airport in sydney as they charge a comission. Well, I had the feeling the guy was trying to scam me, so I'm not sure if it's true what he told me. I decided to keep my money for the moment. A good choice, as you will find better exchange rates in the City, which are also without comission.
The staff at sydney airport was very helpful. One of the staff, a Syrian, was so helpful that he asked every single person if he could help them in any way. Someone was scammed by a "taxi driver", well not a real one, but it seems here are some who drive without a taxi license, which is not allowed, and got his money back, thanks to him. The guy helped me to get on the right bus and was even willing to pay for my ticket, of course I declined the nice offer.
Well, in Sydney I got quite the price shock. I expected that it would be expensive, but not THIS EXPENSIVE. It was quite hot the day I arrived and I needed somethig to drink. So I went into a convenience store. And there the prices are really exorbitant. One small bottle of water costs 4 AUD. Well, I left the store event though I was thirsty, hoping I might find some cheaper place. I managed to find a drinking fountain. Water for free. But regrettably, the water here in Sydney tastes like swimming pool water, but you get used to it (After 2 months I still didn't, but it's a way of saving money).
Other than food, accommodation and transport in Sydney is very expensive. driving from one zone to the next by bus costs almost 5 AUD.
If you want it cheap. Than you have no other choice than to share a room. It's almost impossible to get a single room for less than 200 AUD. You will have to share a room if you want to live "cheap" in Sydney.
Hostels in Sydney are also very expensive. And compared to Southeast Asia, they don't even offer half the luxus. If you check prices and ratings on Tripadvisor you will see. Lots of negative ratings and prices starting from 25 AUD per day up to 40 AUD and more. Some of them 20 people dorms. It's ridiculous.
The reasons for the high prices are the strong Australian Dollar and the higher income of Australians.
Food is at least two times as expensive as in Germany but Australians are also paid twice as much. No wonder many people from Europe come to do a work and travel here in Australia. The pay is really good compared to most European countries. A simple waiter/waitress or fruitpicker earns at least 20 AUD per hour. The minimum wage is 17 AUD as I've heard, but it's seems that there is barely someone paid less than 20 AUD per hour.
Got to know where to Buy
I spent my first 2 weeks searching for the cheapest places here in Sydney. I you want to safe money, then you should avoid convenience stores which can be found at every corner and which are open 24 hours. I would visit them only in emergency situations.
The cheapest stores to buy food
is not a store but a real market if you are looking for fresh fruits, vegetables and Spices, then this is the place. You won't get these things cheaper anywhere else in Sydney. Here you can bargain. If you go there right before they close, you can get good offers.
The cheapest stores to get other stuff
Keep an eye out for a reject store. It's c
In the waiting room, they said that they wanted to check my passport. Seemed like I had a very rare one, as they told me, but it was probably a security check. Well, they were nice, not intrusive. I got my passport back and had actually a nice talk.
Finally arrived - Australia
The flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney took 8 hours. It was noon when I landed there. The customs officeers greeted me with a "G'day mate", checked my passport and in seconds I was welcomed to enter Australia. When entering Australia you have to declare any food related stuff, as Australia is very strict with it.
So, here I was. Sydney, Australia. Finally arrived. Here I would spend the next three months, doing an internship. I always dreamed of coming here and my dream came true.
Don't exchange money at the airport in sydney as they charge a comission. Well, I had the feeling the guy was trying to scam me, so I'm not sure if it's true what he told me. I decided to keep my money for the moment. A good choice, as you will find better exchange rates in the City, which are also without comission.
The staff at sydney airport was very helpful. One of the staff, a Syrian, was so helpful that he asked every single person if he could help them in any way. Someone was scammed by a "taxi driver", well not a real one, but it seems here are some who drive without a taxi license, which is not allowed, and got his money back, thanks to him. The guy helped me to get on the right bus and was even willing to pay for my ticket, of course I declined the nice offer.
Well, in Sydney I got quite the price shock. I expected that it would be expensive, but not THIS EXPENSIVE. It was quite hot the day I arrived and I needed somethig to drink. So I went into a convenience store. And there the prices are really exorbitant. One small bottle of water costs 4 AUD. Well, I left the store event though I was thirsty, hoping I might find some cheaper place. I managed to find a drinking fountain. Water for free. But regrettably, the water here in Sydney tastes like swimming pool water, but you get used to it (After 2 months I still didn't, but it's a way of saving money).
Food is the most expensive thing here in Australia. Nevertheless, here at the east coast it's still cheaper than in the outback.
Other than food, accommodation and transport in Sydney is very expensive. driving from one zone to the next by bus costs almost 5 AUD.
If you want it cheap. Than you have no other choice than to share a room. It's almost impossible to get a single room for less than 200 AUD. You will have to share a room if you want to live "cheap" in Sydney.
Hostels in Sydney are also very expensive. And compared to Southeast Asia, they don't even offer half the luxus. If you check prices and ratings on Tripadvisor you will see. Lots of negative ratings and prices starting from 25 AUD per day up to 40 AUD and more. Some of them 20 people dorms. It's ridiculous.
The reasons for the high prices are the strong Australian Dollar and the higher income of Australians.
Food is at least two times as expensive as in Germany but Australians are also paid twice as much. No wonder many people from Europe come to do a work and travel here in Australia. The pay is really good compared to most European countries. A simple waiter/waitress or fruitpicker earns at least 20 AUD per hour. The minimum wage is 17 AUD as I've heard, but it's seems that there is barely someone paid less than 20 AUD per hour.
Got to know where to Buy
I spent my first 2 weeks searching for the cheapest places here in Sydney. I you want to safe money, then you should avoid convenience stores which can be found at every corner and which are open 24 hours. I would visit them only in emergency situations.
The cheapest stores to buy food
- Woolmarts
- Coles
- Aldi
- K-Mart
- The Reject Shop
- Paddys markets
is not a store but a real market if you are looking for fresh fruits, vegetables and Spices, then this is the place. You won't get these things cheaper anywhere else in Sydney. Here you can bargain. If you go there right before they close, you can get good offers.
The cheapest stores to get other stuff
- The Reject Store
Keep an eye out for a reject store. It's c
- K-Mart
- Paddys market
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