Diary of a Sydney tourist !!

My next destination is….

My next destination is… Sydney! Sydney is an important city in Australia, and it has beautiful and historical places to visit, such as the Sydney Opera House or the Botanic Gardens.

First, I would like to visit the famous beaches. A friend who has been there told me that they are amazing. I have never been to Australia, and I have never travelled outside Europe, so I’m very excited. I think this is the best way to take my first trip outside Europe. I also think that this is going to be my first and my last time in Sydney because I have never repeated any of the places I have visited before. However, I am sure this experience will be unforgettable, and I’m really looking forward to discovering everything this city has to offer.

Podcast:

Check out this episode of ikercastro09's Podcast:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/ikercastro09/episodes/2025-11-17T09_15_09-08_00

First location:

My first location in Sydney is the Queen Victoria Building, and if you have the opportunity to go, I really recommend visiting Hobbyco. I went there today, and it quickly became one of my favourite spots in the whole building.

Hobbyco is a shop full of surprises. It has shelves packed with model kits, train sets, puzzles, Lego, radio-controlled cars, and lots of collectible figures. What I enjoyed most is that it doesn’t matter how old you are there will be always something which will catch your attention. The store feels colourful, creative and full of energy, and you can easily spend a long time exploring all the different items.

It’s also a place that brings a bit of nostalgia. Some toys remind you of childhood, while others are new and very detailed, so there’s always something interesting to look at. If you ever visit the Queen Victoria Building, make sure to stop by Hobbyco. It’s a fun and unique store, and after my visit today, I definitely recommend it.

Link Hoobbyco shop:

https://www.hobbyco.com.au/srsltid=AfmBOoqKfo4XuwNbNKwGL7UrHWev4N586nOP4yJ_gMDUQAsPBbZlpzHK

Sydney opera house:

My next location in Sydney is the Sydney Opera House, one of the most iconic buildings in the world and a symbol of Australia. You have probably seen it many times on TV, especially

 because of its unique design that looks like a group of white sails rising over the water. The Opera House is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered the most famous attraction in Sydney Harbour. It was built on a narrow piece of land surrounded by the sea, which makes it one of the most photographed places in the city.

When you visit the Opera House, there are many things you can do. You can take pictures of the harbour, enjoy a drink or a meal at one of the restaurants nearby, or join a guided walking tour. These tours take you inside the building, where you can see the different theatres, studios, exhibition rooms, the concert hall and even a small cinema. If you book the Sydney Opera House Guided Walking Tour, you can learn about the history of this incredible building and the story behind its construction.

Getting there is very easy because the Opera House is just a few minutes away from Circular Quay, where you can catch buses, trains and ferries. If your family wanted to take the tour, they would need to pay the adult ticket price and any reduced child tickets, depending on the number of people.

The building was designed by the Danish architect Jørn Utzon, who became famous worldwide thanks to this project. His innovative design changed the image of Sydney forever. The Opera House was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007, recognising its cultural and architectural importance.

If you become a member of the Sydney Opera House, you also get benefits such as discounts in the car park, which can help you to save money during your visit.

Commonwealth of Nations:

My next topic in this project is the Commonwealth of Nations, which was officialy founded in 1926. This is an organisation of nations, which have a thin relation with UK, excepting Togo, Ganbon, Mozanbique and Rwanda. To learn more about the Commonwealth I visited its official webapage and chose one of its menber state: India.

India is a fascinating country for many reasons. It is the second most populated country in the world, and it is known for its incredible diversity. More than twenty official languages are spoken across the country, and its population includes many religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity and Buddhism. This mixture of cultures gives India a very rich identity, which can be seen in its festivals, traditions, music and food. The country is also famous for important historical sites such as the Taj Mahal, which is one of the most visited monuments in the world.

Another interesting aspect of India is its rapid economic and technological growth. In the last few decades, India has become a global centre for technology, science and engineering. Many major international companies now operate in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi. India also has a strong education and research sector, which continues to grow every year.

Sports also play a major role in Indian society. The most popular sport is cricket, and the national team is followed passionately by millions of fans. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the biggest and most successful cricket leagues in the world. Besides cricket, field hockey is also important, as India has won several Olympic medals in this sport. Badminton, athletics, wrestling and kabaddi are other sports in which the country has produced world-class athletes.

India participates actively in the Commonwealth Games, sending a large team of athletes every four years. The country usually performs very well, especially in sports like shooting, weightlifting, wrestling and badminton. These competitions help strengthen India’s sporting reputation and its connection with the rest of the Commonwealth nations.

Overall, India is a key member of the Commonwealth thanks to its history, cultural diversity, economic development and strong sporting tradition.

MY VISIT TO THE ART GALLERY:

During my visit to the Art Gallery of New South Wales, I was really impressed by the variety of artworks displayed throughout the building. The galleries felt spacious, bright and peaceful, and I enjoyed walking through the different sections, from Australian and Aboriginal art to European and Asian collections. I spent some time exploring each room, and I realised how much the gallery values cultural diversity and artistic expression. It was a visit that allowed me to slow down and appreciate art from all around the world.

Among all the works I saw, the piece that caught my attention the most was an intricate example of Islamic calligraphy. It features elegant, flowing white lines arranged over a deep blue background, creating a beautiful combination of geometry and decoration. The level of detail is extraordinary, and the patterns feel both delicate and powerful at the same time.

What I find truly fascinating about this artwork is the way it blends written language with artistic design. Even if you cannot read the words, the shapes form a visual rhythm similar to a pattern or mandala. The repetition and symmetry give the piece a strong spiritual and balanced atmosphere, which is very typical of Islamic art.

I was also drawn to the precision of each line. Nothing seems accidental; everything looks carefully planned and perfectly executed. The more you look at it, the more details you discover, as if the artwork is inviting you to find hidden meanings within the patterns.

What I would highlight about this piece—and about the Art Gallery of New South Wales in general—is its ability to showcase artworks from many different cultures. This calligraphic piece demonstrates how writing can become a powerful form of art, capable of communicating beauty beyond language. For me, it represents the richness and diversity that make the gallery such an inspiring place to visit.

Second podcast:

Check out this episode of ikercastro09's Podcast:

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/ikercastro09/episodes/2025-12-18T12_53_49-08_00

Listening answers:

Recording:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/ikercastro09/episodes/2026-01-25T04_05_35-08_00

Look, there’s a koala over there!

Recently, I have visited Taronga Zoo in Sydney, and it was a really interesting experience. The zoo is located next to Sydney Harbour, so while I was walking around and seeing the animals, I could also enjoy amazing views of the city skyline. Getting there was very easy because I took a ferry from Circular Quay, which already made the visit special.

Before going, I bought the tickets online, which was cheaper than buying them at the entrance. As I found out, a child ticket (ages 4 to 15) costs $29.70 online instead of $33.00 at the gate. This meant that each teenager saved $3.30, and for our group of eight 14-year-old teenagers, we saved $26.40 in total.

One of the most surprising things about Taronga Zoo is that you can stay overnight. During my visit, I learned about Roar and Snore, where visitors sleep in safari-style tents inside the zoo and enjoy dinner, breakfast, guided tours, and special animal encounters. There is also the Wildlife Retreat, an eco-friendly that allows guests to stay close to the animals and nature.

I also learned about the Wild Australia Experience, which is a guided tour with a zookeeper. In this activity, you can learn a lot about Australian animals and conservation, and you get the chance to see animals like koalas up close. The experience also includes full-day access to the zoo.

In my opinion, Taronga Zoo is definitely worth visiting. It is fun, educative and different from a normal zoo because of its location and activities. I would recommend it to my friends and family because it is a memorable experience and a great way to learn about wildlife.

HIDE PARK SYDNEY THINKING ROUTINE

Today, I visited Hyde Park, a big park in the centre of Sydney. I have been amazed because of all the things that you can do there. I saw two men playing chess on a huge board with giant pieces and people around them watching them. I also saw a lot of types of trees and vegetation. When I looked at the park, I could see a large open area with trees, wide paths and many people enjoying their free time.

There were people walking, sitting on the grass or talking with friends. Some of them looked relaxed. Others were just crossing the park on their way somewhere else. I could also see people of different ages from children playing to old people going on a walk. In my opinion, many of these people came here quite often, especially at weekends, because the park is very central and easy to access. 

In Hyde Park I could do many different activities. I went for a walk, sat near the fountains and watched people pass by. Other visitors were running, taking photos or resting on benches. The atmosphere felt calm and pleasant.

Where I live, in Bilbao there is a park called Doña Casilda, which reminds me of Hyde Park, although it is smaller. I usually went there with my friends to walk and relax. I like going to parks because they are peaceful places. Sometimes I play sports, but most of the time I just walk and talk with my friends.