November 19 2007: QOTW: Sydney Mini-Break
So people. I’m likely (90% chance) to be going to Sydney for four/five days in the second week of December as my friend is turning twenty-one, and I need a mini-break. Accomodation has been sorted (I’m staying at my cousin’s friend’s apartment in the city), as has travel (I’m taking the overnight train there and back, rather than flying). In any case, during my stay I plan on:
- going to the 21st, which is ostensibly the reason why I’m heading up
- maybe meeting a few e-friends? If they want to? (And really, I’m open to meeting anyone who reads this blog)
- climbing the Harbour Bridge
- going out in King’s Cross, and indulging in things that are bad for me
- checking out the Sydney shopping scene
- hanging out at Circular Quay and Bondi
The problem with my plans however, is that they’re being made from the viewpoint of someone who’s never actually been to Sydney before. I have a fear that I’m doing all the touristy things, and not getting a real insider’s look as to what Sydney is like. So, for Sydneysiders:
Question of the Week: Can you suggest to me some must-do things in your city?
And for everyone else:
Question of the Week: Is there something in your city/country that tourists clamber to do, yet which the locals don’t care about at all?
13 Responses to “QOTW: Sydney Mini-Break”
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The vineyards. I hate the vineyards but all tourists are like “I neeeeeeed to see the vineyards!”
Climbing the Harbour Bridge = super touristy thing to do. I know that and I don’t even live in Sydney. Really, it’s probably just a lot like Melbourne. Do what you’d do in Melbourne. I challenge you to find the best bargains without knowing your surroundings! (Not just so I can buy cheap clothes under your guidance, mind you…)
Tracey on November 19 2007 #
Most people think South Florida: sun, beach, ocean, hot tanned girls. Thats what tourists come for. Some idiot locals do too. Well, most. But theyre all idiots. Skye thinks: sit on beach and tan or work on website? Website always wins.
Skye on November 19 2007 #
If anyone visits Brisbane, I would tell them to go down to the Gold Coast. You can still do the super touristy theme parks, but be close enough to the beach. Ohhh. The Zorb. Supposedly touristy, but not a lot of people know there’s one up here.
Back to Sydney, Bondi Junction is heaven. Although I’m sure there’re similar shopping centres in Melbourne. :) Chinatown is okay, and the same for Darling Harbour. Not helpful am I, since I’ve only really done the touristy things. Olympic Park is cool though – but it’s a long way to travel out of the CBD.
kat on November 20 2007 #
People come to upstate New York to fly fish and leaf peep. They call it quaint; we call it ridiculous.
If Seth and I lived in Australia, we would beg you to join us for dinner and a threesome. If you ever come stateside…
Leila on November 20 2007 #
In Groningen probably climbing the Martini Tower, I have done it twice, and it was no big deal…
They’ll probably come for the Groninger Museum as well.. It’s boring :P I’m not into modern art.
Emsz on November 20 2007 #
Here in Jakarta everyone wants to go to like the tourists spots like museums etc etc but all the locals know the malls are the best place to be in :)
Juice on November 20 2007 #
ok, i’m just gonna asume, that you read my comment that i left 3 days ago & hope you wont be trashing my site again.
Reply: See, I was just going to leave it, and assume (double s) that you’re an insecure idiot. Now that you’ve inexplicably decided to come back and ‘check up’ on me, I know you’re an insecure idiot. Congratulations. Once I get some time, you’re going to receive an unrequested review from me.
Dina on November 20 2007 #
I have yet to see the top of the Empire State Building or go on a boat past the Statue of Liberty.
gem on November 20 2007 #
Whenever I visit Egypt, I go see the pyramids and get dragged to a lot of museums. My cousins who live there have never been to those places :P
Kaylee on November 20 2007 #
I’m still juggling the idea of the weekend, Manduh. :P There’s an overnight train from Sydney to Melbourne and vice versa? Holy crap! You must inform of these details.
Well, you already know what it’s like in Sydney. Central Station is the ultimate place to go to scare randoms and catch trains, the Coathanger is good for the climb (we should go – remind me!), etc. etc. King’s Cross at night! LOL.
Walking around the Harbour is exquisite, particularly in the late afternoon. Oh! And the university campuses are awesome. And the Starbucks! And the (goes on tangent) … also, the Aquarium is funfunfun, and we should try and find Le Petit Escargot. A French restaurant I went to three years ago … it was quite good …
Shopping is expensive. $847648762424876-esque expensive. :D
Xuan on November 20 2007 #
Disneyland…Universal Studios…beach…up north a bit is Hollywood. I’ve been to LA, but never actually to Hollywood…I see enough plastic, super-tan, fake blondes in Orange County and the part of LA that I have been to are even worse…so I don’t really wanna imagine what Hollywood is like.
The amusement parks are still things that locals do (yay Disneyland!)…except we know how to get the best out of the ticket money. and we say things like, “omgosh remember Pirates of the Caribbean BEFORE they changed it for the movie?” or “shoot, so many people have died on the Matterhorn…and at Disneyland in general.”
marilyn on November 20 2007 #
Amaaaaanda, this entry is messed up in LiveJournal.
As you probably know, New Zealand is a pretty tourist-oriented country so even coming to New Zealand is something locals are indifferent about. Haha.
Reply: Aha, fixed!
Nellie on November 20 2007 #
[...] many of you know about Amanda’s Sydney mini-break, so here’s my version of how things went today – to clarify, a meet-up with Amanda, Tracey [...]
Wandering Mind on December 9 2007 #