I needed to Go To Dubai
I have been waiting for the opportunity to go to Dubai but the cost of flying from Sydney is really costly. The regular fare cost around A$2000 return ticket on an Economy.
But recently Emirates Airlines had this promotion which is just around A$1160 economy return ticket at emirates.com. I was about to booked but decided to dig more hoping to really get the bargain. I succeed I found the cheapest one at auntbetty.com.au for just A$974.58 Return Flight Dubai, Sydney.
Tricks.
When looking for the cheapest flight, I am using momondo.com because it is going to show you the price from the cheapest to the most expensive one. Once you found the cheapest one, go to that website and hang on in there. Then look for the possible more cheap option using another web browser, it can be a safari, google chrome, firefox, a safari in private window mode, google chrome in the incognito mode, etc. then book the cheapest one. I learned these tricks during my five months of travel in 2015. Choose your Seat.
Right after the confirmation I immediately choose the seat on the website of emirates airline, I need to pay 30 dollars for my chosen set. You don't need to choose you don't need to pay. Business Class Offer.
The day before my flight I checked in online and there is an offer to me of A$1500 business class flight to Dubai. I didn't take it because I believed A$1500 is still expensive. Fourteen Hours Flight
It was fourteen hours of flight and I was on my chosen windows side seat and I hate it, the seat was comfortable but being on the side needed me to always worry and disturbed the couple next to me. It was not a good 14 hours flight.
Rebooking Fee.
I decided to rebook my flight making it 3 days earlier than my original schedule of coming back to Sydney. I paid A$250 rebooking fee. Upgrading to Business Class.
I was trying to upgrade on the website but I think it was late already that the feature is not available anymore. Then when I got to the airport I asked the ticket seller and told me to just tell it to the cabin crew. On the boarding, I asked the lady if there is an available upgrade and she asked me if it is a free upgrade. I said yes if there is but then there is none.
On the plane, I asked the crew for an upgrade and she told me it will be 7346.00 Dirhams, then I paid 7346.00 Dirhams. The Business Class Experience.
It was amazing. Comfortable reclining seat/bed. unlimited food and drinks, freedom to move, hang in the bar and socialize with people, I didn't do that as I am shy. I probably do it again.
That was a last-minute upgrade, the last-minute upgrade is not advisable as most of the time it is coming very costly. I believe there are tricks/ways to get business class or even a first class upgrade. Just Google it.
The first iPad Experienced
I have the very first model of iPad mini that I bought in Dubai a long time ago. It is still working but noticeably slower than it was before. Is it time to buy a new one? My Second iPad
Last year I bought this iPad Pro 10"5 because of the pencil feature. I was really convinced by the advertisement, IPad Pro reviews about the limitless thing you can do with the iPad.
I have seen people not using paper anymore for drawing, dictation, noting, drawing, editing video etc...everything that you can do in the computer is now possible in the very portable iPad. Purpose of my iPad
I am using an iPad to edit videos, watch YouTube, write a blog, and continuing what I am doing on the computer to the iPad.
What I like about my current Ipad Pro 10"5 is that it is compatible with my Macbook Pro 2019, The Sidecar feature is amazing, the iPad can be used as a second screen of my MacBook and continue working with it.
Do You Want To Upgrade?
Now there is this new iPad Pro 2020 that I am actually tempted to have one additionally because of its new keyboard. This, of course, comes with the more advance features of the previous version.
Gimbal is a modern camera stabilizer available in the market today. The purpose is to stabilize, to make the video footage as smooth as possible when filming on the go.
Gimbal is basically a device to make a video footages smooth. It is a stabilizer. This Gimbal can be used with a smartphone camera, Mirrorless Camera, GoPro and Other Action Camera.
I have GoPro Hero 5 and Canon M50 when I bought the Zhiyon Crane M hoping to make a very smooth video vlog on my daily bike vlog. I was just using it for a few days until I get tired of it being big and requires cautiousness to use. Then I decided to buy a smaller one, the Feiyu G6.
I bought this Feiyu G6 for my GoPro Hero 5. It is absolutely making video footage really smooth, it is Amazing. Check the price here.
But as Vlogger on the move, I realized that a Gimbal is not for me. First of all a gimbal create this mechanical noise that is being captured by the camera and is not good for the vlog. A gimbal requires a battery. Gimbal requires cautiousness to use.
New gimbals today probably eliminate the problems and you might consider checking it.
There are many gimbals available in the market, they have amazing features that make the camera and the gimbal works as one.
My GoPro Hero 8 Lens is now broken but it still working very well with clear and crisp video quality.
I basically put a screen protector on the lens and on the back and front LCD because without the protection it will be prone to breakage and scratch. One day I fell off my bike and the GoPro lens hits the ground and it got scratches. I was happy when I fell off the screen protector because it was just the first layer of the lens that is broken.
This Vlog is recorded with GoPro Hero 8 with broken lens.
It has the most advance software features of all the action cameras available today.
it is a little bigger than GoPro Hero 7 black.
Custom Presets/Setting Preset -
It doesn't have Protective Housing Case
The glass/lens is not replaceable Check the price here.
GoPro Hero 7 Black.
I am very satisfied with this camera because it captures crisp and clear video. Very smooth video quality even if you are running.
DIY Fixed my GoPro Shutter
I just needed to upgrade to GoPro Hero 8 because the shutter button is already tear/broken due to excessive use for my daily filming
I fixed it now and still working very well. Check the price here.
Canon M50.
It has 4k video capability
It is smaller than most DSLR
It works like a DSLR
it has a flip monitor
Just to have an alternative camera, Because the GoPro has no zooming capability and Canon G7X doesn't have a microphone jack input that is why I decided to have the Canon M50.
This camera is already good when it comes to video quality but it doesn't have the HyperSmooth and other features of Hero 7 and Hero 8. Check the price here.
This my very first GoPro camera. It is very compact with good video quality. I have been using it for around two years until I got the GoPro Hero 5. I bought it in 2016 and until now 2020 it is still working.
What I don't like about is the limited features, it doesn't have a linear mode making all the videos/footages always wide.
Check the price here.
This are some of my previous camera before switching to GoPro. Nokia N73. I was in the Philippines
Canon FS11 I was new in Dubai SJ4000 I was in Dubai and I can't afford GoPro.
Therefore I conclude,
GoPro Hero 5 and GoPro Hero 6 are almost the same.
GoPro Hero 7 Black and GoPro Hero 8 both with effective stabilization, but GoPro Hero 8 has more advance software features.
That GoPro Hero 5 to GoPro Hero 8 requires GoPro Audio Adaptor to be able to connect to an external microphone.
It is a Cube Acid Hybrid One 400. This eBike is German made and is available in major bike shop around the world, also available online, Check its specs here or watch the Video.
Beginning of the Trip, I need to take the ferry.
I started the trip from Nelson Bay NSW, I took the 3 o'clock ferry instead of the 9 o'clock one. The captain of the ferry put my bike on the roof of the ferry with my pannier on.
My Backpack, Pannier, and my Sleeping Bag
The sun just got down when I arrived in Tea Garden. I was hesitant to keep on going because I am not sure of what is waiting for me in the dark along the way. Because of that,
I decided to stay in one of the hotels in the area just to build my courage.
I had my dinner in one of the Chinese restaurants near the hotel, I also bought additional stuff in case I need to do some camping.
First Long Bike Ride
I checked out early from the hotel, the reception is not open yet and I just leave the key on their box. I drive the long narrow road seeing mostly the trees around it. I was really thankful that I didn't go on last night because there is a ferry/bridge that needed to go through the other side that operates only in the daytime.
I keep on going and had the dirt road ride.
A Good Aussie Guy Offered me to Stay in His House
I avoid the Bulahdelah expressway and took the Lakes way going to my next stop. I was not aware that this road mostly is ascending and really need to use the electric of my bike. I run out of battery on the last two hills that I took and needed to push my bike going up. I was really tired of this part of my travel. It was raining too.
It was around 4:00 o'clock I was googling for a place to stay in the area, and that was the time a car stopped and an Aussie guy offered me a place to stay. We went to a club that night. The next day I load my bike to his car and he brought me to Blueys Beach.
I Reached The Town of Forster and Tuncurry.
Forster is the first legit town that I reached, they have a shopping center and many establishments. Beaches are walkable within the city. I stayed in one of the motels in Tuncurry, Tuncurry is the twin town of Forster that is just across the river, right after the bridge. Forster is beautiful.
I choose a hotel that will allow me to place my bike inside the room
Taree, Where are the people?
Pacific Highway is the expressway or freeway that connects the major cities and towns in Australia. taking this road straight will bring you to Brisbane or Sydney. This long road has a rest area complete with a toilet, picnic table, and information boards.
I reached this place called Taree, they have many shopping malls and government service establishment. Another thing I notice is the electrical system they have is underground, similar to the modern city of Dubai. It is maybe a holiday, didn't see much people here.
Camping for the very first time.
Originally I don't have a tent and I just bought the cheapest one from BigW in Taree. This is my very first time to do camping. When I was a kid most of my classmates are a member of Boy Scout and usually do some school camping, I never experienced that.
This place us beautiful, this camping is really a great experience because I did not have a good sleep. The water from the ocean is so loud. The moist from outside is getting in, and the soil is very hard because I do not have a sleeping mat.
Dedicated Bike Lane, Port Macquarie.
Most of the road in Australia has a dedicated bike lane, even the busy Pacific Highway has a bike lane. And of course, there are also roads without bike land and you really need to be careful sharing with those fast and heavy different cars. There are also dirt road, a road that is not concrete and purely sand and soil that is dusty.
Port Macquarie is an elevated town with beautiful scenery of the hills and beaches. here I've seen many Camels and other animals.
Bike Puncture in the middle of the highway.
I always sing I don't just ride. This time I got my tire punctured by a big piece of broken glass. If I accept the offer of the lady to help me, I am sure the next story will be different. In this place, I had a conversation with locals who also have a bike. His e-bike has a fat tire and a side gear for the surfboard. This place is called Crescent Head a surfers haven.
Broken glasses along the Australian road.
I am now very conscious of getting puncture again, noticeably there are so many broken glasses, brittles of glasses in the road. This place coming from Kempsey is a flat land having many cow farm along the road. It is beautiful the road being able to see the environment, the road without the trees covering the scenery.
This time I decided to stay in a cabin that cost me 115 dollars because I arrived in this place dark in the night and it was rainy.
Enjoy the same place differently.
I needed to get to South West Rocks because it was late already and I needed to charges my bike. There is no other option but to get through the same road that I took last night for me to get to the main road. It feels like a waste of time but it is okay because I manage to make it enjoyable.
Uncaptured struggle.
Rainy dark night when I arrived in this hilly place called Nambucca. I was able to get to a caravan park and stay in one of the expensive cabins. It was a rainy day and I lost the Phone that made me decide to book again another hotel stay and find it. I needed to buy another phone to find my iPhone. I succeed, a lady found my phone and gave it back to me. Australian are amazing.
This is how this e-Bike work to get to the next stop.
This e-bike can reach up to a hundred kilometer on Eco Mode and around 50 kilometers in Turbo Mode, other options in between are Sports Mode and Tour Mode.
There are always people who are curious about my e-Bike and I always let them have a go because it feels so much different from the ordinary pushbikes.
I reach Coffs Harbour and surprise my Sydney friend who moves here years ago.
Coffs Harbour is Beautiful too.
I was able to get around the city of Coffs Harbour, it is massive, modern with many establishments, places to see and fun activity to do. I meet some fellow Filipinos here.
Pacific Highway gets through Coffs Harbour that is why there is no way to avoid those scary heavy longs trucks of this highway. There is nothing much to see along the Pacific Highway because they are mostly covered by trees.
It was a little scary. Wrong time in the wrong place.
I went to the Grafton Train Station hoping to have a ride to get to Casino or Byron Bay to avoid the busy pacific Highway. I wasn't able to take the train because they are requiring me to collapse my bike and put it in the box they are provided.
I decided to keep on going with my bike until my bike tire got flat at the wrong place at the wrong time. Good thing I have a flashlight. It was a little scary.
The Bike Tire Exploded
Stayed in a hotel in Casino and drive heading to the next destination. The trip from Casino is one of my favourites because here you can drive where you can see the beautiful flatland with plants, and crops and animals, hills and valleys around it and it is really beautiful. One thing that is not good is there is no dedicated bike lane.
My bike tire exploded.
Beautiful Town, Beautiful Hills and Valley Bike Ride.
I reached this place called Lismore, in here I was able to eat Filipino food because there is one Filipino restaurant in this town. All the way here from Casino is just a beautiful scenery flat land, then able to climb the hills relax and easy with my electric bike seeing this luxurious expensive upland town. The last hills show the beautiful water of Byron bay.
The city, the bay and the valley life.
I like Byron Bay having the city vibe yet so close to a more laidback valley life. A short drive away and you are on the beach or in the town or in the hills or in any scene you want to be. Shops and restaurant here are still on even a little late.
Meeting a French Bikepacker
I was greeted by a tattooed guy who notices me being a bike traveler. We had a conversation and learned that he is also traveling just using a normal pushbike. He started his trip from Darwin, now in Manly doing some work and will keep on going around Australia.
We shared our social media, I've seen his bike setup, his body transformation, his dedication. It was amazing meeting people with such positivity. I am a fan.
Charging my e-Bike Battery in the restaurant
As much as possible I am using the electric of the bike when it is going uphill for me to maximize the battery life of the bike. There are times that I needed to stop in the restaurant and ask a favor to charge the battery of my bike. Of course, I also buy something and I even give a little tip. It was a long ride.
The fourth time the bike tire got flat.
Some people are not aware that bike is allowed in the Pacific highway, I really wanna thank you this guy as he showed so much concern for my safety. Thank you mate. The highway is really dangerous, especially at night. I reached the border of New South Wales called Tweed Head and the Coolangatta of Queensland.
Here I got my bike tire flat again. Basically, there are no other punctures but the same holes losing the patches that I put previously.
The Gold Coast Australia.
Coolangatta is where the Gold Coast airport is located, it is an hour or less drive to the Gold Coast city proper. From Coolangatta to Gold Coast is basically expensive luxury beachfront property and it is beautiful.
I stayed in one of the hotels here and did some walking around the beaches and shopping mall.
My e-Mountain Bike on a Brisbane Train.
I decided to just take the train from Gold Coast going to Brisbane because it looks complicated to take the very busy highways between these two Queensland City.
Stay in the house of my friend, we travel around, we brought rice at the KFC. Meal is so much more satisfying with Rice.
I have friends in Australia.
My friends in Dubai are also my friends in Australia. We all dreamed of coming to Australia and it actually happened and it so good.
Heading Back Home.
I had a wonderful time with my friends and it is now time to go back home. I took the train going to Brisbane city proper. Here in Australia, all toilet is still free to use and are really clean looking, compared to the rest of the world where mostly you need to pay to be able to use the toilet, same in Belgium.
Whole Day Walking in the City of Brisbane
I've been to Brisbane before and seen most of the spot. But the experiences are very different when you are walking and that is the reason that is why I decided to stay more nights in Brisbane for me to be able to explore the city by walking around. I would say that Brisbane is a vibrant modern city of Australia.
Chucking my e-bike in the bus heading back home.
It is really time to go home now but I still manage to see more places here. I don't wanna drive my bike back to get home and my option is to take the train going to Newcastle/Sydney or take the bus. In the end, I decided to take the Greyhound Bus just because of my situation and timings.
As it is, they just chuck my bike in the underneath storage of the bus together with other passengers' luggage. It was an overnight trip.
I got back home safe through prayers.
It is so much colder in NSW than Queensland. I finally arrived in Newcastle where I needed again the thick sweater,jacket that I have, I need to cover my face against the harsh cold wind. Thank you very much, It was amazing and I wanna do it again.
Sydney Australia is one of the world's modern city. The city still has the old years vibe of having the old buildings and houses all around, I am actually living in an old apartment that looks like those apartments in Singapore and Malaysia.
In your own car, by public transportation or by just walking around the city is cool too, not having heavy traffic that I have experienced in Manila. Sydney is a walkable clean and green city. wide sidewalk with greenery along with it and a park in big vacant spaces. The weather is just amazing. it is hot during summer but there is no strong humidity like those in the middle east and southeast Asia. Winter is cold that is making the people wear their best winter clothes fashionably.
Train, Buses, Ferries are some of the public transportation that is really affordable for both work and leisure travel. They are easily accessible in a convenient bus stop, station, and wharves. During the daytime, these public transport vehicles almost come and leave every 10 minutes without having to queue in line.
Most of the people living in the suburbs and works in the City, do leave their car at the Train Station parking area and then ride the train to get to the city. One of the reasons for that is because of the conveniences of traveling by train. Another reason would be the expensive parking space in the city.
Opal Card is a prepaid card that people in New South Wales are using for their public transportation, there are cards for Adults, Seniors, and Students. For as low as $10 you can buy it from any conveniences store and can be reloaded from the shops, online or by using your mobile app. The fare is affordable for around $2 for a trip.
If you are working and living in the city you actually don't need a car.
These are the place to consider if you are looking for a place to stay within the Sydney Central Business District. Ultimo, Chippendale, Surry Hills, Haymarket, Pyrmont, Barangaroo, Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst and maybe Glebe and Potts Point.
George Street in Sydney is considered to be the High Street and the busiest street in Sydney. It is about 3km long starting from "The Rocks" Circular Quey where the popular Opera House and Harbour Bridge is located and end at the Chippendale and Ultimo where the Sydney Central Station, Railway Square, and Central Park Mall is located. Going through the street will connect to Broadway and then Parramatta Road where the University of Sydney is located.
Right Wing of George Street
Chippendale
Chippendale is a small inner Sydney suburb where you will see the Mercure Hotel, UTS (University of Technology Sydney) just when you get out of the Sydney Central Station Grand Concourse. I used to stay in one of the apartment just behind the Mercure Hotel during my first few months in Sydney. KFC, Mc Donald, shops and other fast-food here are open until late.
Surry Hills
Surry Hills is located just on the other side of Sydney Central Station all the way to Oxford Street of Darlinghurst. Most of the houses and establishments here are old looking. I used to stay in one of the apartments here and is good because everything is easily accessible.
Darlinghurst
Darlinghurst is where the Oxford street is located, Oxford street is the home of bars and restaurants mostly related to the LGBT community but is open for everybody. Houses and apartments here are both old and modern. The other side of Darlinghurst is the popular Hyde Park where the Museum Train Station is located.
Woolloomooloo
Woolloomooloo is another inner suburb of Sydney, The first thing you will notice in the location is the Woolloomooloo Bay with high-end restaurants and big parks known as "The Domain" The Domain is walking distance to Sydney Botanical Garden, St Mary's Church, and on the other side is the suburbs of Potts Point.
Potts Point
Potts Point is located next to Woolloomooloo and is around three km from Sydney CBD. The red light district of Sydney is located in the area known as Kings Cross. Kings Cross Station is the nearest Train Station. I used to work in one of the restaurants in Potts Point while living in Surry Hills. Every day I walk around 20 minutes to get to work and 20 minutes coming back home, by bus is just around 10 minutes.
Left-Wing of George Street
Ultimo
Ultimo is the home of the University of Technology Sydney, TAFE Sydney and is actually walking distance to Haymarket Chinatown Paddy's Market or Market City.
Haymarket
Haymarket is the home of Sydney's Chinatown. Shops and restaurants are all over the place, colleges, and universities are walking distance. Residents mostly live in a highrise apartment. Very Near to Sydney Central Station. The Tram from Sydney Central Station goes through here to Pyrmont.
Pyrmont
Pyrmont is the home of Sydney's Fish Market, The Star Casino, Darling Harbour, and Cockle Bay that is adjacent to Sydney City Centre. Madama Tussaud, Sea Life, Museum and other attractions are also located within the Darling Harbor.
Barangaroo
Walking from the banks of cockle bay you're going to reach the Barangaroo, you will see the modern restaurant in the modern highrise buildings, offices, and commercial buildings. Moving on you will reach the beautiful Barangaroo Reserve/Park and the hill called Millers Point with the view of the big and beautiful Parramatta River/and Harbor Bridge. Walse bay is the next stop where museums and theatres are situated all the way to The Rocks and Circular Quey.
If you Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge you will reach the Milsons Point, Luna Park, Kirribilli and the rest of North Sydney.
Places like Bondi Beach, Coogee Beach, Watson Bay, Manly, Parramatta, Chatswood, Cronulla, Blue Mountain, even Newcastle, Wollongong can be reach easily by public transportation such as Trains, Buses, and Ferries.
