Thursday, June 10, 2010

Australia - Sydney

Sydney is a vibrant, dynamic and accessible city. My first Sydney exploration was in 2006 with my hubby. My second trip was in 2008, my first sales conference with GSK. My first trip was primarily focused on the tourist attractions around Central Sydney (The Rocks, Sydney Opera House, Chinatown, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Sydney Tower) whereas the second trip includes Sydney Fish Market, Royal Botanic Garden, Port Stephens and Katoomba.

Sydney Fish Market, the largest fish market in the Southern Hemisphere and the world second largest seafood market outside of Japan (based on variety) is where we had lunch. After a sumptuous seafood meal at the Fisherman Wharf Restaurant, many of us were still hunting for more seafood in the market place. It is hard to resist the tempatation when you had to walk pass so many stalls with different types of seafood. Koon Yin and I share a dozen oyster, so fresh and yummy! Great place to enjoy quality local seafood at very reasonable prices.

Mrs Macquaire's Chair, otherwise known as Lady Macquarie's Chair, provides one of the best vantage points in Sydney. The historic chair was carved out of a rock ledge for Governor Lachlan Macquarie's wife, Elizabeth, as she was known to visit the area and sit enjoying the panoramic views of the harbour. The views are still enjoyed today, over 150 years later by hundreds of Sydney siders and tourists each day. I heard if you make a wish while sitting on Mrs Macquarie's Chair, there's a great chance of it becoming true.

On the way to Port Stephens, we stopped for sand dune sandboarding. The grains of sand have been washed in from the sea and blown ashore to form dunes up to thirty metres high. Our guide told us that most of the sand was deposited about six thousand years ago. Is sandboarding fun? Well, going down the sand dune was fun but trudging uphill on a large sand dune with a steep gradient is absolutely murderous. More so when you have just face-planted into the bottom of said dune and are spitting sand out.

Next stop...Port Stephens for dolphin watching on board Moonshadow Cruise. We were all very anxious and had high hope of seeing dolphins as we were told Port Stephens is home to more than 150 bottlenose dolphins but to our disappointment, we only managed to catch a glimpse of a dolphin's fin. So much for the thrill of being up close with the wild dolphins of Port Stephens.

Opened in 1930, Koala Santuary Park, founded by the late Noel Burnet was the first private koala sanctuary in New South Wales. The preservation of the koala is the main theme of the park but visitors can also walk in and pat the kangaroos, meet a wombat and chat with cockatoos. There is lots more to see and do, including visiting the echidnas, dingoes, wedge tailed eagles, flying foxes, kookuburras and emus or go along to one of the sheep shearing shows.

Katoomba is a derivative of the Aboriginal word ‘Kedumba’ meaning ‘shiny, falling waters’ after the natural beauty of the area. Katoomba, home to Echo Point and the famous Three Sister is the most visited town in the Blue Mountains. A visit to the Blue Mountains would not be complete without viewing the spectacular Three Sisters at Echo Point. Well, we actually did not get to see the Three Sisters because of bad weather. It was raining and foggy.

The ride on Scenic Railway and Sceniscender, the steepest aerial cable car in Australia was an experience in itself. It is also in Katoomba (Canton Palace) that I had my first taste of kangaroo meat! Do I like it? Yes, it tasted just like beef especially when it's fried with black pepper.

For food, fun and bargain shopping, head towards Haymarket, home to Sydney's Chinatown and Paddy's Market / Market City. A great place for Yum Cha, watching Chinese herbalist preparing Eastern remedies and to hunt down discounts. The area is also fast becoming a late night entertainment venue with restaurants opening till late.

Darling Harbour is the other area worth checking out for food, fun and shopping. The lively waterfront percinct has developed into one of Sydney's largest dining, shopping and entertainment areas with exhibition and convention centers. One of the prime hotspots, King Street Wharf, is packed with sleek dining establishments. The Cockle Bay Wharf offers waterfront promenades with alfresco cafés, bars and restaurants. Across the water, lies Harbourside Shopping Centre, a dynamic mix of shops, restaurants and food to go. Not forgetting, The Rocks. With it's colourful history dating back to convicts days, The Rocks is now a magnet for visitors who flock to its many shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants.

Sydney is never short of great places for food and shopping. Explore by foot around Circular Quay and I'm sure you will be spoilt of choices too! There is a Malaysian restaurant close by Marriot Hotel if you are home sick.

Visit the Sydney Tower to take in the best views of Sydney from the Tower's Observation Deck, the highest tourist attraction and building in Sydney. Sydney Tower provides a panoramic 360 degree view from the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the north, picturesque Blue Mountains to the west, historical Botany Bay on the south and to the east, the magnificent Pacific Ocean.

To complete our Australian experience, we went on the OzTrek located on the Podium Level. Safely strapped into our seats, we were taken on a journey across Australia’s landscapes, history and terrain to explore its national treasures. Soar above Sydney’s iconic structures, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Turn back time to the decks of The Bounty and historical Ballarat during the Gold Rush. Dip through Queensland’s Barron Gorge and Tully River and even visit the mystical Uluru. The experience with special effects, the sensational surround sound and heart–stopping real motion seating lasted approximately 15 minutes.

For the adrenalin junkie, try out the Skywalk, a breathtaking outdoor tour on the roof top of the highest tourist attraction in Sydney. Skywalk is double the height of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the same height as the Eiffel Tower. Skywalk takes 60 minutes and runs approximately every hour. No bookings required. Sky walking is definately not something that I'll ever do in this lifetime.

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