长途跋涉来到悉尼 Epic Trek to Sydney

10/31/2025-11/2/2025

我们下午四点左右从Alex家出发，五点半抵达洛杉矶国际机场。到达后我们去了贵宾休息室，享用了免费的饮料、小吃、红酒和牛排晚餐, 度假正式开始啦！ 大约晚上九点四十分登机。这是我们第一次乘坐空中客车A380——一架巨大的飞机。我们买的是豪华经济舱座位，座位在飞机的上层。可惜的是机舱内似乎不能随意走动，所以并没有感觉的飞机竟然有两层。

We departed from Alex’s place around 4 p.m. in Los Angeles and arrived at LAX around 5:30 p.m. We headed to the lounge, where we enjoyed complimentary drinks, snacks, wine, and a steak dinner.

Around 9:40 p.m., we boarded the plane. This was our first time on an Airbus A380, a gigantic two-level aircraft. We had purchased premium economy seats, which meant we were seated on the top level. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to allow walking down to the lower level.

登机后我很快便沉沉睡去，而PJG则又享用了一顿晚餐。十五个小时的长途飞行平稳顺畅，我竟睡了将近十个小时。清晨七点左右，飞机平安降落在悉尼机场，晨光洒在舷窗上，预示着我们在悉尼旅程的正式开启。

After boarding, I promptly fell asleep while PJG had another dinner. The 15-hour flight was smooth, and I managed to sleep for almost 10 hours. We safely landed at Sydney Airport around 7 am.

通关过程出乎意料地轻松快捷，只需扫描护照、拍张照片，一切就完成了。不过在出口处，我们注意到前方长长的队伍。原来，所有勾选了有申报东西的人都需要排队再次经过海关检查！因为我带了牛肉干、什锦坚果和薯片等零食，只好也在表格上打了勾，排进了那条队伍。

Going through customs was fully automated, incredibly easy and quick. All we had to do was scan our passports and take a photo, and it was done. However, we noticed long lines of people before exiting. It turned out that if you checked something on the declaration form, you were in that line! Since I had brought snacks like beef jerky, mixed nuts, and chips, I had to check the box.

这条队伍里的人实在太多，我们一路经过三位负责检查表格并指引方向的工作人员。终于轮到我们时，一位工作人员开始逐一检查我带的零食。她和同事还就我的牛肉干和杏干小声讨论了一番，幸好最后还是放行了。经过这二十分钟的“折腾”，我们终于顺利走出海关。

There were so many people in this line that we had to go through three people who looked at forms and gave directions. Finally, a staff member had to inspect every bag of my snacks. She and her coworker had a brief discussion about my beef jerky and dried apricots, but luckily, she allowed me to take everything. After 20 minutes of this activity, we finally got out of customs. Afterwards, we found that Australia is known for this ritual in order to protect their environment from pests sneaking in. No, not us, I mean bugs!

接着，我们去一家名为 Simplanet 的店里购买 eSIM 卡，我一开始还以为那是 Telstra 的官方门店。我们花了 40 澳元买了 15GB 的流量，但我觉得这价格有点贵。之后，我们前往 Budget 租车公司领取预订好的车辆。

Then, we went to buy an eSIM card from a shop called Simplanet, which I mistakenly thought was the official Telstra store. We spent AUD 40 and bought 15GB, but I believe we overpaid. Afterward, we went to Budget to pick up our rental car.

从机场前往我们在市中心的公寓，虽然车程只有二十分钟，却一点也谈不上顺利。澳洲是右舵驾驶，方向与我们习惯的相反，令人一时难以适应。虽然我没开车，但压力并不小, 我得紧盯着谷歌地图，一路指挥导航。穿过了一段错综复杂的隧道，几次错过出口后，终于在早上九点四十左右，成功抵达公寓附近的公共停车场。

Getting from the airport to our apartment in the CBD area wasn’t the smoothest ride, even though it’s only about 20 minutes. They drive on the opposite side, which can be a bit tricky. Although I did not drive, it’s still more stressful because I had to watch Google map and guide the nervous nellie. We had to navigate through a huge tunnel after a few wrong turns and exits, but we finally made it to the public parking garage near our place around 9:40am.

由于还不能办理入住，我们决定先在唐人街附近逛逛。街头弥漫着诱人的中餐香气，达令港就在不远处，更添几分热闹与魅力。我们在一家粤菜馆享用了一顿简单的午餐。到了中午十二点，盼望已久的时刻终于到来——我们顺利办理入住，把车停进大楼的车库。自周五早晨启程以来，经过三十九个多小时的辗转奔波，我们终于安顿下来。

Unable to check in yet, we decided to explore the Chinatown area. The streets were alive with the aroma of Chinese cuisine, and the proximity to Darling Harbor added to the allure. We had a simple lunch at a Cantonese restaurant, savoring the authentic flavors. By 12 p.m., the moment we had eagerly anticipated finally arrived. We checked in and effortlessly parked our car in the building. After enduring over 39 hours since Friday morning, we finally settled into our unit.

稍作休整、整理完行李后，我们搭乘轻轨前往悉尼歌剧院一带。我们没有购买 Opal 卡，而是直接用手机在上车和下车时刷卡进出站。虽然这种方式十分方便，但人实在太多，连刷卡机前都得排队！

After unpacking and resting for a bit, we took a light rail to the Sydney Opera House area. We didn’t purchase the Opal card; instead, we simply tapped our phones when boarding and disembarking from the light rail. Although convenient, it’s quite crowded, so there will be a line to tap the machine!

终于，传奇的悉尼歌剧院就矗立在眼前！我第一次见到它的模样，大概还是在学生时代的课本上，已经记不清是几年级了。而如今，它真实地出现在眼前，那种感觉几乎有些不真实。近看才发现，屋顶是由无数小瓷砖拼成的，这一点在电视或照片中根本看不出来。水边人声鼎沸，许多人举杯畅饮，沉醉在这壮丽的景色中。海湾对面，是同样闻名于世的悉尼海港大桥。渡轮在水面上穿梭，巨大的邮轮缓缓驶过，为这幅美景增添了动感与气势。真是令人惊叹的景象！

And finally, there stands the legendary Sydney Opera House! I think the first time I saw its image—it was in a school textbook, though I don’t remember the exact grade. Now, here it is, right before my eyes, and the sensation is surreal. The roof is made of smaller tiles, which I couldn’t tell from seeing it on TV or pictures. Down by the water, a lively crowd is savoring their beers, basking in the breathtaking view. Across the bay, there’s the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Ferries zip across the water, and a majestic cruise ship glides smoothly, adding to the beautiful view. What a stunning sight!

我们漫步到海湾对岸的岩石区（The Rocks），那里街头摊贩林立，仍沉浸在万圣节的热闹气氛中。按惯例，我们终于在悉尼最古老的酒吧——建于1828年的 战争之运（Fortune of War）——喝上了此行的第一杯啤酒。这家将近两个世纪历史的老酒吧里，一位歌手正在弹唱几首熟悉的老歌，空气中弥漫着轻松愉快的气息。

We strolled over to the Rock, just across the bay. There were numerous street vendors, and although it was November 2nd, they were still reveling in the Halloween festivities. As usual, we finally had our first beers at Sydney’s oldest pub, Fortune of War, built in 1828—almost two centuries old! A singer was playing our favorite songs – Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Beatles – creating a delightful atmosphere.

夜色渐浓，旅途的疲惫终于涌上心头。我们从岩石区花了三十分钟，慢慢走回唐人街的公寓，路上依然人声鼎沸，城市的灯光却越发温柔。为这段自周五早晨就启程的旅程画上逗号，我们在附近找到一家湘菜馆，点了两道家常菜。这顿简单的晚餐，没有仪式，却恰到好处地为我们在悉尼的第一天收了个尾。

As night settled over the city, fatigue finally caught up with us. After a leisurely 30-minute walk from the Rocks back to our apartment in Chinatown, we were ready to call it a day. To conclude our long journey from home, we wandered into a nearby Hunan restaurant and had a simple, comforting dinner—just the right ending to our first day in Sydney.

And now, as promised, here is Bear in his first performance!