Sydney side up!

 

 

Talk about Sydney and the first image that comes to mind is the majestic view of the sun setting behind the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. And this is just one example of the mesmerising beauty of Sydney, where I had an exceptionally enjoyable vacation.

Australia’s oldest city and the most sought after vacation destination, Sydney could very well have been the country’s capital but for some strange logic it is not. Blessed with sun-drenched sandy beaches, sky-kissing skyscrapers, plethora of restaurants, sea of shops and warm-hearted people, Sydney is a perfect blend of the old and the contemporary. So there’s the Opera House for those interested in cultural performances, and the Kings Cross if you are a nightbird.

The energy in the atmosphere of Sydney is almost addictive and always keeps you on your feet. One could find a hundred things to do and visit a number of places in and around the city. A day at Blue Mountains was quite an experience. The local contact I had become friendly with after just a brief interaction taught me all it takes to be an Aussie; the Aussie slangs being an essential aspect of the language which was fun to learn! The tram ride to the Jamieson Valley and a ride on the Blue Mountains – the world’s steepest railway – are some of the crazy memories. We called it a day with a cruise up the river and under the Harbour Bridge into the downtown. The next day was packed with more fun. Equipped with a ferry pass that allowed for unlimited ferry and rail travel, I visited Manly Beach, wandered up and down the Corso, returned to Circular Quay and then hopped on a ferry to Watson’s Bay. Here I savoured a sumptuous meal of fish and chips at Doyles. I then took the RiverCat service up the Parramatta River to Parra and visited the Taronga Zoo and Luna Park which is a must visit for those interested in wildlife. The evening walk across the bridge helped me regain the energy, after which I hopped on a train to experience the nightlife at Kings Cross. The day had been long and tiring, so the next day had to be Bondi beach, most famous for providing the setting for the famous series Baywatch. The Sydney Aquarium is like no other. One of the largest aquariums in the world, it displays more than five thousand species of Australian fish in their natural habitat. Also, not to miss is the Sydney tower, which happens to be the tallest building in Sydney. Although it would take all you have to climb up, yet the experience is worth it. It is often said, ‘shop till you drop at the land down under,’ and so did I, rarely giving it a thought before splurging on the goodies. The Darling Harbour allowed me to buy a lot of things at throwaway prices. Also, visiting the Queen Victoria building isn’t a bad idea for it offers a variety of shopping experiences. That done, I sat at one of the great cafes on the concourse, sipped some hot coffee and then wandered along Castle St, a hub for designer wear. Sydney is a city that holds a combination of rhythmic genres which includes all the amusement, fun and frolic for visitors. So just pack your bags and head to this ‘hot’ destination.