SYDNEY - Take 1

Australia, Sydney Review 

 

By z_l3nG


Temperature
15 - 26 degree celcius


I was in Sydney for 4 nights,  from 20-24th April,  2010.

I would be lying if I say Sydney isn't a beautiful city,  the weather was so fine I wouldn't want to come home. Imagine,  walking for one hour without breaking a sweat!

 

 (Top: Darling Harbour bridge in Sydney standing proud under the bright, clear sky)





I was surprised that my brief stay in Sydney was completely dry,  not a single raindrop,  as opposed to the information I got online saying that the weather is unpredictable and it's advisable to bring weather gear such as umbrella and raincoat.

My fiance's uncle said we were lucky with the weather.

I bet we were, since we all agreed that the weather was 'just nice'.
Humidity at its lowest level.

However,  I didn't like the wind that was trying to blow my hair off and making me look like a Mad lady. Other than that, it was fine.


Chinatown Mostly

We did mostly sightseeing in Sydney,  as tourists do,  as we didn't have much time exploring every single corner of the city.

 (Top: Charming Sydney view at Circular Quay)






I like the cleanliness of the streets in Sydney,  except those in Chinatown.
Dirty is always the adjective to describe every Chinatown I've been to.

Despite that reality,  people in Chinatown Do Not represent the whole Chinese community in general.

Talking about Chinese,  yes,  I discovered that Sydney is just full of them, and Koreans too.  But then and again,  maybe because we were staying near Chinatown,  which is just a few streets away.


On Top of the World

Four nights were spent in one of the amazing units at the World Tower in Sydney,  which cost AUS 255 per night.  Yes, it's rather costly but worth every penny.

It's a spacious 2-bedroom apartment,  equipped with sofas,  flat panel TV,  toaster,  oven,  cutleries and so on.  They even provide food containers for you to store leftovers.

The best part of this unit is...its viewing deck (enclosed balcony) that allows you to have a bird's eye view of Sydney.

A rattan table and 2 chairs are provided for you (and your partner) to sit and enjoy the panoramic view of the city.

It's definitely the vantage point to see the city,  apart from Sydney Tower.

(Top: Smog covering the horizon in the morning, creating a mystical atmosphere. Picture taken from our room.)

(Right: Colourful lights lit up the dark sky, bringing Sydney to life. Picture taken from viewing balcony)





On the first morning in Sydney,  when I was still sleeping soundly,  my fiance woke me up from my dreams, and said,  "You've got to see this."

In the corner of my mind,  I was thinking,  "What's the big deal that you need to wake me up like this?"

But,  I got up and looked out of the window and...was stunned by the sight. It was phenomenal.

"Wow! Is that beautiful or what?" I finally uttered,  after getting hold of myself.

It was a magical morning.  The light, thin clouds (or was it smog?) was enveloping the entire city and I felt like I was on top of the world,  whisking me away from the real world.



(Note: All texts and photos are copyright reserved - Z)

SYDNEY - Take 2

Australia, Sydney Review  
 


By z_l3nG


Pancakes Rock!

Nah, we weren't on a gastronomical trip in Sydney, but an economical one.
Food in Sydney is costlier than in the US and the statement is based purely on my observation.

Nonetheless, we spoilt ourselves one evening by having this wonderful dinner at the 'Pancakes on the Rock' restaurant.

You don't have to guess what they serve 'cos it's so obvious - Pancakes.

We ordered one plate of pork ribs, a Thai chicken salad and a yummy-licious pancake for dessert.  We devoured everything (except the bones) and ended up with big bellies.

Now,  let the food be served.

(Top: The pancake is called the Devil for good reason! It's so delicious you'd be asking for more)

 

I can't remember all the names of the food we ordered, but does it matter?  

What matters most is that the food were absolutely scrumptious, every single bite of it. 

The huge piece of pork ribs was very well-marinated and the meat, Tender, which means you don't have to have razor-sharp teeth to tear the meat apart. 

Still, you need to have a good set of teeth.

The best is always saved for last, they say.  

Oh yes, the pancake was heaven-made. 

The ice-cream as the topping and melted chocolate spreading all over the pancake and fresh strawberries - Muah! A perfect combination.

(Note: A friend told me the Hurricane in Sydney serves to-die-for pork ribs. We found one at Darling Harbour, but the food is really pricey.)

On a Quest

To see koala bears!

I have this obsession for koala bears since I was very young.  The first time I saw it on TV, I told myself I Have to go to Australia one day. 

So, I was there. And my fiance brought me to Taronga Zoo! 

To get there,  we took a ferry ride from Wharf #2 at Circular Quay in Sydney.  

The ticket is priced at AUD49.50, which includes return ferry trip, entrance fee and sky safari (cable car ride).

 

(Top: Lady Northcott ferry took us to Taronga zoo)

The ride was an awesome one. We sailed passed some of the biggest landmarks in Sydney, such as the Sydney Opera House and the bridge. 

Oh, so cute!

Ta-Da! Adorable bears.

I had no luck with them that day for all three of them were taking a nap.
They slept in funny ways.

They looked like cute stuffed animals to me when they were sitting motionless. 

To see them, their captivity is on the immediate right at the entrance.

To see them upclose and even cuddle them, a fee of AUD20 is charged per person for 10 minutes.

Even cuter animal

The highlight of Taronga zoo, to me, is the Platypus.  

OMG, was that fella cute or what! 

It's small-sized and it looked like many animals combined.

Unfortunately, the place was dimly lit and there was only one platypus swimming in the tank, I didn't think it was possible to snap a photo of it.


Not-so-cute animals

For instance, penguins, sea lions, chimpanzees and gorillas, nocturnal species (some are really cuties, I must admit) and also the bird in the picture, plus so many more...which I can't recall.



On Taronga Zoo

One thing's for sure, none of the zoos in Malaysia can compete with Taronga zoo. Who are we kidding, right?

Taronga zoo was, I'd say OK, considering that the view was pretty amazing and, they house more variety of animals there.

Central Park Zoo in New York City, on the other hand, is rather small, but it was more fun!

 

(This is the view you can get from Taronga Zoo)

Do take note of this, the zoo's under construction when I was there, so you might want to delay your plan to go there.

I hope the zoo's going to have heaps of exotic animals after the expansion.

To get a map of the zoo, you can find it at the zoo entrance. 

Note that the ferry leaves every half an hour.

(Note: All texts and photos are copyright reserved - Z)

SYDNEY - Hyde Park

Australia, Sydney Review  
 


by z_l3nG


HYDE PARK 

(pronounced as Hide)

Australians don't mind sharing, for there's plenty of space for them to share.

Sydney's park (aka Hyde Park) is big, beautiful and very well-maintained.

The colours of the flowers are so vivid, it makes the whole environment so alive.
                                                                                                                                                                        
That's why, Aussies love spending their time at the park.


I saw them laying on the grass in bikini, office attires and casual wears.

Some were reading books, some were sunbathing while some were simply enjoying the nature.

They were so laid back!


A trip to the park will definitely transform your mood.

Breathe in the positive 'Qi' around you.






ANZAC Memorial 

After you're done running around the park, sniffing the sweet scents of flowers and sunbathing, head to the next destination.

A nice place to get shelter from the sun and heat.

Anzac Memorial Building, which nestles in Hyde Park South, is dedicated to all Australians who'd served their country in the war.

Anzac Memorial building's exterior is equally as beautiful as its interior design.

It's such a unique and simple structure.

Here's one thing you can only see from the inside, the dome of the Hall of Memory, which is covered with 120,000 golden stars, made from plaster and painted in gold.

Each star was purchased at 2 shillings (20 cents)  to fund the construction of this building during the Great Depression.


Rule:
You have to remain silent while you're in the building as a sign of respect.

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 9am to 5pm.

(Close on Good Friday and X'mas.)


Admission is FREE.

(Note: All texts and photos are copyright reserved - Z)