5 Things I wish I knew about Sydney, before I went

1. Sydney is expensive AF. Prepare your pockets beforehand and get ready to cut cost as often as possible to survive without tapping into your 401K retirement reserves. Follow this advice to survive on your dollars in Sydney.
​     a) On day 1, head to Woolworths (yes, it's still around Down Under...might be showing my age with that one) or a Coles Supermarket and load up on snacks AND WATER.
​     b) Water fountains have spouts for you to refill your water bottles. Australia supports Mother Earth, we should too. Keep an empty bottle with you at all times, bc paying $4 for every bottle of water will seriously add up.
​     c) Do your research and check to see if there are deals on places and attractions you want to visit. I did a simple google search before going to the the Taronga Zoo and I saved 10% by purchasing my ticket online. A dollar saved is a dollar earned!
​2. The SUN will find you. Apply and reapply sunblock as often as possible.  Even if it's very cloudy!!! I chilled on the beach on a cloudly AF day for maybe 40 minutes...24 hours later it still felt like there were 1,000 red ants biting my back...FML!!!
​3. Comfortable foot gear is a MUST. Ladies forget your heels, wedges, and flip flops. OMG did I walk a MILLION steps a day (I averaged 25K steps per day). I thought I was cute rocking my gladiator sandals on day 1 and ended up with a big fat blister. My NIKE frees went on on day 2 and they didn't come off. Walking (BROKEN IN) sneakers are the way to go.
​4. Australian people are so friendly! I met at least 2 new friends each day. People will chat you up any chance they get and they mean what they say. I shattered my Samsung Galaxy phone the day I arrived and had to pay $200 (I know, don't remind me, still makes me roll my eyes) to get it fixed at the local mall. The guy who helped me was so nice. He offered to show me around after his shift and he did! And no, he didn't try hoping my leg either. He was super respectful and took me to Darling Harbour. He paid for us to get on a ferris wheel, my first time in ages. Then we walked around and he made sure I got back on my train and offered me any help during my stay. Of course I spoke to him daily and even went back to see my friend one last time before I left.
​5. On Sunday, all transportation costs are capped at $2.50, when you have an Opal card (their rechargeable transportation card). I rode the bus from the airport, then all around town, and I took 3 train rides and the total deducted from my Opal card was $2.50. Get your Opal card at the airport (the sell them at the convenient stores right outside of customs) and plan your busiest day of sight seeing for a Sunday.