Friday, May 24
Well everybody, once again I find myself apologetic for not writing more. However, this time my excuse is a little more exciting than uni work. I have been exploring a number of places around Sydney, just for fun!The first place that I visited was a restaurant called The Pie Tin. (I warn you, do not look at their menu if you are hungry; you may start drooling.) I found out about The Pie Tin from an online article that recommended reasonable priced but yummy foods. The reason that I picked The Pie Tin is because I have a huge sweet tooth, and their menu certainly had enough sweet treats to tempt me! While savory meat pies are extremely popular here, sweet dessert pies are much rarer here. So, on my first visit I had a Slow-Roasted Shredded Pork with Apple and Barbeque pie for lunch, and a slice of the Gooey Caramel with Chocolate Ganache pie for dessert. They were both super delicious! The atmosphere of The Pie Tin was really nice too; very homey and welcoming. They had a large table in the middle, with stools on all sides. The few tables that they had were booth style on one side, with chairs on the other. Overall, the atmosphere encourages you to stay and read a while (which of course I did)!
I had such a great time there that I went back just this past week to sample more of their many pie flavors! This time I had a Tender Steak with Bacon and Cheddar Cheese pie. I then ordered 3 slices of dessert pies to share after dinner. We sampled: the Apple Pie that Ate Newtown (Newtown is the town that The Pie Tin is in), Belgian Chocolate with Coffee Cream, and Chocolate Caramel with Hazelnut. The Apple Pie was good, but not as good as Mom's. The Belgian Chocolate with Coffee Cream was my favorite!
My main reason for going back to The Pie Tin was not for the pie (sure, lets go with that) but because of the area that it is in. Newtown has a main street with tons of little cafés, art galleries, vintage clothes shops, and boutiques. When I was there the first time, I had only planned time for The Pie Tin, and not for wandering through shops. So, when I went back this time, I spent the whole afternoon meandering down the main drag, wandering in and out of shops. I, as usual, spent more than I intended, but all for a good cause! I found some really cute earrings, both for myself and friends at home. It was a really fun day!
The next thing that I did was visit Manly Beach. That was a nice day because to get to Manly I took the ferry across the Sydney Harbor. This meant that I went right by the Opera House! Manly was not busy because the tourist season is pretty much over, so it was a very quiet experience. There was a nice "boardwalk" area with a lot of stores to walk through. I went in Oakley (for Cooper) and Roxy (for Sarah), but didn't get anything. Something that is interesting to me is how it seems that frozen yogurt franchises seem to be taking over the world! East Greenbush and Colonie at home, but Newtown, Kingsford, Kensington, Randwick, and Manly here! Every time that I have froyo I think about Cooper and Sarah working hard at home. I can't wait until I get back and can bother them at work!
Just last week I went to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Pylon Lookout. Not only did I walk across the bridge, but I also did walk up inside the Pylon. I really liked the mini-museum inside. Heaps of fun and interesting facts about the bridge and its construction. Also, many famous people visited the bridge, so I am only the latest of many : )
Now don't go thinking that all I am doing is having fun, because I have a ton of school projects and papers all due in the next 2 weeks.
I have officially ordered my ticket home, and am both excited and sad. I can't wait to get home and see everyone, but I am having a wonderful time here, and it will be hard to leave.
Thanks again to everyone that has sent me a card or letter; it's so good to hear news from home : )
I think that is pretty much everything for now!
Until Later,
Kaitlyn
