Sunday 1st January 2023
Today we’re moving hotels again, from our Airbnb in Kings Cross to a cheaper hotel in Newtown (which is also closer to where we’ll be picking up our hire car tomorrow). Before checking out, we go out in search of lunch. Quite a few places are closed, but we end up going to Lola Tapas Bar Potts Point for some tapas.
We order a charcuterie plate, cod croquettes, grilled chorizo, and prawns with olive oil, chilli, and garlic.
All the food is good, but the prawns are exceptional. Succulent and juicy, with so much flavour.
We therefore can’t resist the greedy option of ordering another portion, along with the pork belly. The pork was slightly disappointing, as the meat was a bit dry (though the crackling was good). I also decide to give the red sangria a go, which is very good and a bargain at only $7 (about £4) a glass.
We go back to the Airbnb to pick up our bags then get the train to Newtown, where we check into our hotel. We were staying at the Newtown Budget Hotel. As it’s name implies, it’s quite a basic hotel but is fine for one night and is a convenient location for both the city and the airport (where we’ll be picking our car up from tomorrow).
After dropping our bags, we walk the short distance to Sydney Park. We wander around the park then find a shady spot to relax and do a bit more New Zealand planning.
We spent most of the afternoon in the park, then walked back to the high street in search of a drink and snack. Most places were closed, so we ended up at Mountain Goat Newtown (one of the very few places that were open). I gave one of the cocktails a go and Pete had a tasting paddle of beers. We also had some cauliflower bites as a light supper. The cocktail was excellent, with their homemade gin as a base.
We then headed back to our hotel for a couple of episodes of Money Heist before bed.
Emma and Pete’s Asian Adventure 