Australia 2009 - Sydney

G'day mate.

My second visit to Sydney. And it remains my favourite city. Somehow, Sydney presents to me as a vibrant, exciting, casual, friendly and lovely city. It is not as rush as KL, but a pace faster than Melbourne. The first time I was here was in 1995 - a good 14 years ago. 4 days here, and probably not sufficient. I would love to have a longer time, not as a tourist, but to experience life here as a local.

When I was first here, the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House were 2 major landscapes that fascinates me most. Especially the bridge, from the engineering point of view. It was unfortunate that the bridge climb was not available then. Subsequently when it was opened, I vowed that one day I will return to Sydney for that climb. Therefore the first thing I did when arrived in Sydney was to go for the Bridge Climb. The Climb is the single most expensive itinerary of the entire trip. Worried that I may not get a place in the climb, I reserved on line before leaving Sydney. The Bridge Climb cost AUD189, which works out to be about RM497 (based on 2.63 exchange rate). This would more than enough to get a VIP seat for the Wang Lee Hom concert in KL. But I think it was worth the money, as the experience is marvellous and unforgetable. Going to the very top of the bridge span, which is 2 times the height of the tallest fin of the Opera House is a moment to be remembered. The climb was meant to last about 3.5 hours, but due to our smaller group (only 6 of us in the group), we were up there for about 4 hours.

The first day in Sydney was basically spend at Circular Quay doing the bridge climb. After the climb, the sky is already dark. The Rocks was also closed. The only thing left to do was to take pictures of the Opera House at night, something that I had not managed to do during my first visit. Sydney skyline at night is marvellous.

The second day, with an extremely fine weather - blue sky and bright sun, we went for the coastal walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach. Accoring to one of the website (lost that link), this was supposed to be one of the best coastal walk in the world. And quite rightly so, if the ocean and beaches are your thing. Though the sun is bright, the walk is not as tough due to the breezy and cooling wind. We took slightly more than 2 hours to reach Bondi Beach. We ended the Sydney beach itinenary with a bus ride from Bondi Beach to Watsons Bay for the Doyle's Fisherman Wharf Fish & Chips. The Gap, next to Watson's Bay is spectacular. Thrilled me first time, it still does the second time.

The third day was to Blue Mountain. It rained in Sydney that day, but not in Blue Mountain. So that was a very good planning. We took a train from Sydney Central Station to Blue Mountain - a 2-hour journey. Then in Blue Mountain, we took the Trolley Bus to travel around. Blue Mountain to me, is like Cameron Highlands. A few towns that eventually make Blue Mountain. But we were only in Katoomba, the main town and Leura which is within the route of the Trolley Bus. I read a lot of guides and travel forums where all recommended a visit here. I would have also recommended this, but I suppose it is not a must. The reviews in the travel guides and forums are probably slightly exaggerating, especially on the The Three Sisters. I think the comments are just a little big over-rated. If you have a day to spare, yes, why not dropping by Blue Mountain. Otherwise, doing it on a second visit is still fine.

One of the highlights of Blue Mountain is the Scenic Ride. Yes, that was something, especially the Scenic Railway. But the ride ended too fast to feel the thrill. Doing the ride again, will cost another AUD10 dollars. Doing both the Railway and Cable rides cost AUD19 dollars, if you purchase the ticket at Scenic World. But if you get it from the Trolley Bus Agent, you will save a dollar.

After getting back from Blue Mountain, we headed to Chinatown and Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour was the place that I could least recognised. A lot of development had taken place. The Sydney skyline viewed from the Harbour is impressing.

The last day in Sydney was disappointing. It rained early in the morning. Then stopped. We managed to get into the CBD area. Then it started to rain again. We were trapped at the New South Wales Art Gallery for few hours. The last stop was in Chinatown for dinner. The last time I was in Paddy's Market, I could only see the flea market section, not realising that there was also the fruit and nuts market as in Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market. Comparing the price of both markets, Paddy's Market seems to be lower than QVM.

Then it back to Central Station to catch the bus back to Melbourne for the conclusion on this trip. Though I'd mentioned that I will never be back to Sydney, I would love to stay in Sydney. My favourite city.