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baghag
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Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
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Sydney review
We were only able to spend a week in Sydney. 
Flight: Qantas
Economy is pretty decent. Each seat has a little tv and headphones (no extra charge), and a variety of movies and tv shows. Really helps pass that 13 1/2 hour flight from LAX.
Hotel: Four Points (Sheraton) Darling Harbour
Nice, clean and centrally located. The closest train stop is Town Hall inside the Queen Victoria Building (QVB), and it's only 2 stops from Circular Quay (which is the stop for the ferries, the bridge and the Sydney Opera House). Chinatown is a short walk away. We used our SPG points to book a city view room, which faced the ING building. Personally, I don't think the upgrade to a Harbour View room would be worth the extra points or money.
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Posted 1/21/10 11:51 AM  |
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baghag
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Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
Food
Quay @ the Rocks: The food, wine and the view are all incredible. Worth every penny. Email ahead of time and make sure that a cruise ship isn’t docked for your reservation date, it will block the view of the Opera House.
Baia, Darling Harbour: breakfast, just ok.
Nick's, Darling Harbour: dinner- steak was quite good, barramundi was just ok
Harry's Cafe de Wheels, Woolloomooloo: Tiger Pie, tied with Quay for my favorite meal in Sydney
Spice I Am, Surry Hills: tamarind shrimp was good, husband's garlic chicken stir fry was really bland
Moo Gourmet Burgers, Bondi Beach: great fries, love the tomato relish on the burger. huge portion.
Kobow (Korean), Chinatown: decent bibimbap and bulgogi
Transportation
Sydney's train and bus system puts NYC to shame. It's clean, timely and very easy to understand. Each platform has a tv screen that tells you which train line it is, what stops it's making and when it will arrive.
Try to group your activities by area and travel accordingly so you don't waste time by running back and forth across town.
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| Posted 1/21/10 11:52 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
Activities
Skydiving: We went skydiving with http://www.sydneyskydivers.com.au/
Our tandem partners were Bill and Dave- absolutely lovely guys that put us at ease with jumping out of an airplane, lol.
Surfing: http://manlysurfschool.com/index.php
We took the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly and booked an hour long private lesson with Manly Surf School. Our instructor Paul gave a short lesson about the ocean, staying out of the rips, and the basic motions of surfing. Then out into the ocean, where we actually did manage to stand up and ride a couple of waves to shore. If it's your 1st time, I highly recommend a private lesson. The group classes were a little too large for my liking, with 16 people.
*Ladies- make sure your bathing suit is securely tied/fastened. Everyone on Manly beach on January 10th and 17th has seen my rear end.
We enjoyed surfing enough to go back and rent boards from http://www.drippingwetsurf.com/
Message edited 1/21/2010 11:58:32 AM.
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| Posted 1/21/10 11:53 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
Featherdale Zoohttp://www.featherdale.com.au/index.htm
Featherdale is a small zoo that only houses animals that are native to Australia. It's about an hour from Sydney (train and a short bus ride). Like most tourists, the big draw for us was the koalas and kangaroos. You pet the koala that is outside “working” and can have your picture taken with him. The kangaroos and wallabies were in a penned area- and you can feed them!
Bridge walk: we didn't climb the bridge, it just wasn't something that really called to us. We just walked across it at night, which was really beautiful.
Bale De Rua @Sydney Opera House: I've dreamed about seeing this place ever since I was a little kid, and to watch a show in the concert hall was a little piece of heaven for me. Bale De Rua is a Brazilian dance show that explains different aspects of Brazilian culture through music and dance- a blend of capoeria, salsa, hip hop, and traditional African dance. I wish I could explain it better! The artistry and athletic ability of the performers is incredible. Definitely worth seeing.
Message edited 1/21/2010 11:59:36 AM.
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| Posted 1/21/10 11:53 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
Bondi Beach: WOW. We didn't do much here but lounge on the sand and hang out in the water. And that's really all that needs to be done!
Sydney Wine Centrewww.sydneywinecentre.com.au
There was a chardonnay we had at Quay that we were looking for, and thought that this place would have it. Unfortunately they don't carry it, but Mike went out of his way to help us find something like it. Same region, same year, and a good brand. So we'll be able to extend the holiday a bit by drinking that wine throughout the year. :) We really appreciated the time he took to help us out.
Sydney Antique Centrewww.sydantcent.com.au
We spent a quiet morning wandering around. They've got a huge variety of things.
We filled the gaps in between activities wandering different neighborhoods, like Darling Harbour, Chinatown, Inner West, Potts Point, Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, Surry Hill, Newton, the Rocks, Circular Quay and Kings Cross. I loved the detailed wrought iron balconies and the little row houses and seeing the different personalities of each neighborhood.
There were 3 things I really regret missing- the walk from Bondi to Coogee, scuba diving, and the Blue Mountains. We only had a week, and a few scheduling conflicts popped up, but I feel pretty satisfied with how we spent our time.
Message edited 1/21/2010 12:00:25 PM.
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| Posted 1/21/10 11:54 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
a couple of random thoughts:
1. they really do say "g'day" and "no worries"
2. kangaroos do not roam the street
3. the sun is no joke. i got a burn on my scalp, where my hair parts.
4. bondi beach is a las vegas buffet of gorgeous people
5. australian quarantine and customs is SERIOUS business. you must declare anything and everything edible or drinkable entering and leaving the airport. they check!
6. chinese spoken with an australian accent is really, really weird
7. surfing = trying to do pushups on a waterbed
8. Sydney's biggest flaw, as far as I am concerned, is the mullet. Why so many handsome young men would do this to their hair is just beyond understanding.
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| Posted 1/21/10 11:55 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
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Message edited 2/27/2011 9:28:49 PM.
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| Posted 1/21/10 11:56 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
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Message edited 2/27/2011 9:29:09 PM.
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| Posted 1/21/10 11:56 AM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
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Message edited 2/27/2011 9:28:30 PM.
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| Posted 1/21/10 11:56 AM |
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Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!
Member since 5/05 22334 total posts
Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids
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Re: Sydney review
GREAT review and pictures!
Looks and sounds like you had a fun filled week. Looks like something my DH and I would like to do. 
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| Posted 1/21/10 1:50 PM |
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jennandrob
mom of two!
Member since 5/05 4368 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Sydney review
your sense of adventure never ceases to amaze me!! 
I'm so happy you were able to take this trip, even if it was for a short week.
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| Posted 1/21/10 2:07 PM |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
Name:
BunnyWife
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Re: Sydney review
Great pics and review! We are going to Sydney in September. Can not wait!
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| Posted 1/21/10 2:42 PM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11489 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: Sydney review
Posted by baghag
a couple of random thoughts:
1. they really do say "g'day" and "no worries"
2. kangaroos do not roam the street
3. the sun is no joke. i got a burn on my scalp, where my hair parts.
4. bondi beach is a las vegas buffet of gorgeous people
5. australian quarantine and customs is SERIOUS business. you must declare anything and everything edible or drinkable entering and leaving the airport. they check!
6. chinese spoken with an australian accent is really, really weird
7. surfing = trying to do pushups on a waterbed
8. Sydney's biggest flaw, as far as I am concerned, is the mullet. Why so many handsome young men would do this to their hair is just beyond understanding.
All so, so true. the mullet is horrible and some of the hairstyles on the men are awful!
Quarantine is NO joke! They x-ray all your bags coming in. DH and I are always so relieved when we don't have to do that in other countries!
You must have lucked out with the transport; I personally think the transport is horrible there. When something goes wrong, it really goes wrong. I missed a few days of work b/c of train problems. Buses are usually late or don't come at all. I *think* you did well b/c all the kids are on their summer break now, so less passengers (there are no school buses in Sydney). It is cleaner than NYC subways, but not the LIRR.
Great review! You did a lot in a week! Glad to hear you went to Featherdale instead of Taronga. I think Featherdale is so much better!
I've only been to two of the restaurants you went to, Nick's (the one at Bondi) and Spice I Am. I wasn't a big fan of Spice I Am.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Bunny Wife, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
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| Posted 1/21/10 4:27 PM |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
Name:
BunnyWife
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Re: Sydney review
Posted by klingklang77
Posted by baghag
a couple of random thoughts:
1. they really do say "g'day" and "no worries"
2. kangaroos do not roam the street
3. the sun is no joke. i got a burn on my scalp, where my hair parts.
4. bondi beach is a las vegas buffet of gorgeous people
5. australian quarantine and customs is SERIOUS business. you must declare anything and everything edible or drinkable entering and leaving the airport. they check!
6. chinese spoken with an australian accent is really, really weird
7. surfing = trying to do pushups on a waterbed
8. Sydney's biggest flaw, as far as I am concerned, is the mullet. Why so many handsome young men would do this to their hair is just beyond understanding.
All so, so true. the mullet is horrible and some of the hairstyles on the men are awful!
Quarantine is NO joke! They x-ray all your bags coming in. DH and I are always so relieved when we don't have to do that in other countries!
You must have lucked out with the transport; I personally think the transport is horrible there. When something goes wrong, it really goes wrong. I missed a few days of work b/c of train problems. Buses are usually late or don't come at all. I *think* you did well b/c all the kids are on their summer break now, so less passengers (there are no school buses in Sydney). It is cleaner than NYC subways, but not the LIRR.
Great review! You did a lot in a week! Glad to hear you went to Featherdale instead of Taronga. I think Featherdale is so much better!
I've only been to two of the restaurants you went to, Nick's (the one at Bondi) and Spice I Am. I wasn't a big fan of Spice I Am.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Bunny Wife, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
Thank you 
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| Posted 1/21/10 6:29 PM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
I am glad you had such a great time!! The pictures are fantastic!
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| Posted 1/21/10 8:23 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: Sydney review
Australia is one of those places I wonder if I'll ever make it there before I die, I sure hope so!
Sounds like a great trip---thanks for sharing.
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| Posted 1/21/10 10:53 PM |
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Aga
hello baby Albert
Member since 9/05 7750 total posts
Name:
Aga
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Re: Sydney review
oh Rebecca it sounds like an amazing experience, love the pictures
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| Posted 1/22/10 12:51 PM |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Sydney review
Posted by klingklang77
All so, so true. the mullet is horrible and some of the hairstyles on the men are awful!
Quarantine is NO joke! They x-ray all your bags coming in. DH and I are always so relieved when we don't have to do that in other countries!
You must have lucked out with the transport; I personally think the transport is horrible there. When something goes wrong, it really goes wrong. I missed a few days of work b/c of train problems. Buses are usually late or don't come at all. I *think* you did well b/c all the kids are on their summer break now, so less passengers (there are no school buses in Sydney). It is cleaner than NYC subways, but not the LIRR.
Great review! You did a lot in a week! Glad to hear you went to Featherdale instead of Taronga. I think Featherdale is so much better!
I've only been to two of the restaurants you went to, Nick's (the one at Bondi) and Spice I Am. I wasn't a big fan of Spice I Am.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Bunny Wife, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
Wow- I didn't know the train is usually that bad! 
I really wish I had asked you for some restaurant recommendations, I wasn't crazy about most of the places we went to. Though I think I could live on Tiger Pies.  NYC NEEDS a Harry's cafe!
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| Posted 1/25/10 8:11 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11489 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: Sydney review
Posted by baghag
Posted by klingklang77
All so, so true. the mullet is horrible and some of the hairstyles on the men are awful!
Quarantine is NO joke! They x-ray all your bags coming in. DH and I are always so relieved when we don't have to do that in other countries!
You must have lucked out with the transport; I personally think the transport is horrible there. When something goes wrong, it really goes wrong. I missed a few days of work b/c of train problems. Buses are usually late or don't come at all. I *think* you did well b/c all the kids are on their summer break now, so less passengers (there are no school buses in Sydney). It is cleaner than NYC subways, but not the LIRR.
Great review! You did a lot in a week! Glad to hear you went to Featherdale instead of Taronga. I think Featherdale is so much better!
I've only been to two of the restaurants you went to, Nick's (the one at Bondi) and Spice I Am. I wasn't a big fan of Spice I Am.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Bunny Wife, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.
Wow- I didn't know the train is usually that bad!
I really wish I had asked you for some restaurant recommendations, I wasn't crazy about most of the places we went to. Though I think I could live on Tiger Pies. NYC NEEDS a Harry's cafe!
Oh no, I don't know what Harry's cafe is  .
What kind of pie is Tiger Pie? I ate meat pies, but only chicken ones or veg ones; not your true Aussie meat pie.
ETA: the transport isn't great b/c of the state (NSW) gov't. They start these projects and then they run out of money. For example, there is a train project to put a second train line (it is still single, which means trains have to take turns) between about 3 stations and it has been going on for about 5 years! It is two years behind schedule b/c of mismanagement of funds. Transport is a common gripe among Sydney people.
Message edited 1/25/2010 10:24:42 AM.
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| Posted 1/25/10 10:20 AM |
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Milerose
MY BABY!
Member since 9/06 4161 total posts
Name:
R
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Re: Sydney review
What a great review and beautiful pics. I have been there twice but I was young. I am hoping to go back in October. I have tons of family that live there and yes they do say no worries and g'day all the time! So glad that you enjoyed yourself!
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| Posted 1/25/10 2:12 PM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Sydney review
This makes me want to go back so bad! I loved Sydney and you really got it perfectly. It's a beautiful city and lots of great surrounding areas. It reminds me very much of NY. DH has never been and we do plan on one day getting there - whether it's with kids or when we're retired
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| Posted 1/26/10 10:30 PM |
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