Travel Dates: July 17 - 20, 2015
and we're back to the next leg of my OZ winter adventure. Next city was Sydney! it was my first time to travel to sydney without australian friends in tow so i have to research on how to avoid getting lost (haha!) or at least find our way around to enjoy this very short trip.
the vain traveler goes to S Y D N E Y
No specific itinerary was established, thus, most of the sight seeing were based on the mood, weather and time of the day. that was not i originally wanted but it worked out just fine towards the end (internal cringe! haha!)
anyway, without further adieu, let me share some photos of the trip and some short stories plus extra tips along the way.
GETTING TO/FROM/AROUND
Sydney Airport to Hotel via taxi cab
wanting to maximize the stay in the city, we opted to just take the cab from the airport to the hotel. it was expensive, though it was fastest route.
TIP: for other alternatives, you may take the airport train enroute to city's major stops for 17 AU$ for each person, one way
Around Sydney and around New South Wales via public transportations (bus, train)
thank goodness for google map, we were able to search the easiest and fastest route around.
TIP: use OPAL card for various public transportation. opal cards are available in news stands, convenient stores, train stations
Around Sydney CBD via walking
one of the best ways to explore the city. for real.
ACCOMMODATION
i researched hard and good for an affordable hotel stay in sydney CBD. i was lucky to found The York Apartment by Swiss-belhotel. It was just a few walks from Wynyard Station and walking distance from various sights around Sydney. Given that it was a winter season, they had a winter escape promo of 30% off if you stay for 3 nights or more. i booked the standard one bedroom (unrefurbished). Total rate for our stay was AU$ 462.
PROs
I highly recommend staying in this hotel. This hotel is perfect for couples, friends and families.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Darling Harbour
*walked leisurely from hotel to darling harbour
GETTING TO/FROM/AROUND
Sydney Airport to Hotel via taxi cab
wanting to maximize the stay in the city, we opted to just take the cab from the airport to the hotel. it was expensive, though it was fastest route.
TIP: for other alternatives, you may take the airport train enroute to city's major stops for 17 AU$ for each person, one way
Around Sydney and around New South Wales via public transportations (bus, train)
thank goodness for google map, we were able to search the easiest and fastest route around.
TIP: use OPAL card for various public transportation. opal cards are available in news stands, convenient stores, train stations
Around Sydney CBD via walking
one of the best ways to explore the city. for real.
ACCOMMODATION
i researched hard and good for an affordable hotel stay in sydney CBD. i was lucky to found The York Apartment by Swiss-belhotel. It was just a few walks from Wynyard Station and walking distance from various sights around Sydney. Given that it was a winter season, they had a winter escape promo of 30% off if you stay for 3 nights or more. i booked the standard one bedroom (unrefurbished). Total rate for our stay was AU$ 462.
PROs
- convenient location
- fast wifi
- relatively clean apartment
- free use of washing machine and dryer (plus plus points)
- friendly hotel staff
- massive space, good for small party or get togethers
- not too expensive for a stay in CBD
- since it was unrefurbished, furnitures, appliances etc were dated
- old towels
I highly recommend staying in this hotel. This hotel is perfect for couples, friends and families.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Darling Harbour
*walked leisurely from hotel to darling harbour
what winter looks like in Sydney
Queen Victoria Building
* walked leisurely from Darling Harbour to Queen Victoria Building
Day 2
Lunch at Jamie's Italian
*walked from hotel to the restaurant. we had the 11 am lunch reservation
Manly Beach
*took the manly ferry from the circular quay wharf 6 using the opal card. 30 minute scenic ride to manly. we hung out for a while then went back to the city
Quick visit to Sydney Custom House
*since it was raining after our manly beach trip, we saw this gorgeous building in front of circular quay. We went inside and was pleasantly surprised with this discovery. You can read newspapers, read at its library, hung out to surf with their free internet service or dine in at their in house restaurant.
short stopover at Museum of Sydney
* we arrived 30 minutes before closing so we decided to just return the following day
Les Miserables
* the highlight of the sydney trip was to finally watch one of the most coveted musicals, Les Miserables in Capitol Theatre. We took a bus from our hotel to reach the theatre on time.
Day 3
Justice and Police Museum
*since this museum is only open during the weekends, we decided to skip other musuems and just visit this one. we likewise joined the free tour BUT i stupidly forgot to take photos. huhu.
Late lunch at El Jannah
* because it is a must to dine in at the best lebanese chicken at this side of the world. YUMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE.
* central station to granville station
Featherdale Wildlife Park
* from granville station to Blacktown Station and took uber** as we didn't have the luxury of time to wait for the bus to arrive
** from blacktown station, take number 725 bus to reach featherdale wildlife park
Attended sunday mass at St. Mary's Cathedral
* made 3 wishes!
late dinner at Cho Cho San
* took bus (N100) from hotel to Potts Point. the food was absolutely divine. one of the best japanese restaurants i have ever tried. My compliments to the chef! *wink*
#OOTD
#bucketlist
introducing the newest part of my travel entries. a to-do-list for the next time i find myself in Sydney. 3 days are obviously not enough to explore new south wales so i'm jotting down some things i would want to do/see/eat if given another opportunity.
Final Thoughts about Sydney
i love how Sydney is full of life. i was so caught in the moment that i savored each second without thinking of taking photos with me. i might not have massive photos to share but the memories that came with the adventure were enough to cherish for a lifetime. ECHOS.
drama aside, i find Sydney a mix of laid back and fast paced city. in short you will never be bored in Sydney. I would love to visit Sydney again but the three times i've been there will suffice for now.
* walked leisurely from Darling Harbour to Queen Victoria Building
*walked leisurely (yes, again! haha!) from QVB to the Opera House
Day 2
Lunch at Jamie's Italian
*walked from hotel to the restaurant. we had the 11 am lunch reservation
Manly Beach
Quick visit to Sydney Custom House
*since it was raining after our manly beach trip, we saw this gorgeous building in front of circular quay. We went inside and was pleasantly surprised with this discovery. You can read newspapers, read at its library, hung out to surf with their free internet service or dine in at their in house restaurant.
short stopover at Museum of Sydney
* we arrived 30 minutes before closing so we decided to just return the following day
* the highlight of the sydney trip was to finally watch one of the most coveted musicals, Les Miserables in Capitol Theatre. We took a bus from our hotel to reach the theatre on time.
Justice and Police Museum
*since this museum is only open during the weekends, we decided to skip other musuems and just visit this one. we likewise joined the free tour BUT i stupidly forgot to take photos. huhu.
Late lunch at El Jannah
* because it is a must to dine in at the best lebanese chicken at this side of the world. YUMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE.
* central station to granville station
* from granville station to Blacktown Station and took uber** as we didn't have the luxury of time to wait for the bus to arrive
** from blacktown station, take number 725 bus to reach featherdale wildlife park
* made 3 wishes!
late dinner at Cho Cho San
* took bus (N100) from hotel to Potts Point. the food was absolutely divine. one of the best japanese restaurants i have ever tried. My compliments to the chef! *wink*
beanie: promod | leather jacket: zara | off white faux fur vest: magnolia | navy blue pleated skirt: uniqlo | black boots: aldo | purse: coach
Aviator: rayban | leather jacket: zara | maroon dress: forever 21 | knee high socks| h&m | black boots: aldo | black gloves: uniqlo | tote bag: goyard
off white faux fur vest: magnolia | long sleeved top: forever 21 | pencil skirt: forever 21 | black boots: aldo | tote bag: goyard | earrings: forever 21
#bucketlist
introducing the newest part of my travel entries. a to-do-list for the next time i find myself in Sydney. 3 days are obviously not enough to explore new south wales so i'm jotting down some things i would want to do/see/eat if given another opportunity.
- visit blue mountains
- dine in at The Rocks
- afternoon tea at queen victoria building
- join sydney opera house tour
- watch a movie at golden age cinema
- brunch at The grounds of Alexandria
- wine tour at hunter valley
- bondi to coogee beach walk
Final Thoughts about Sydney
i love how Sydney is full of life. i was so caught in the moment that i savored each second without thinking of taking photos with me. i might not have massive photos to share but the memories that came with the adventure were enough to cherish for a lifetime. ECHOS.
drama aside, i find Sydney a mix of laid back and fast paced city. in short you will never be bored in Sydney. I would love to visit Sydney again but the three times i've been there will suffice for now.
No comments
Post a Comment