June 10 2008: Sydney Trip (June 2008)
Filed under Travel
I’ve written a quick entry about my purchases while in Sydney, but thought that the trip itself deserved a bit more of a recap. Perhaps writing this will even inspire me to finally complete writing about my NZ trip which happened way back in February?
Saturday
Saturday night was originally the night that I had earmarked for attending Xuan’s eighteenth birthday celebrations, in a riot of colour and drunkenness in Sydney’s premier gay club district. Unfortunately, Xuan’s revelation a few days prior: “Hey Boobies…we’re going to be leaving at midnight because I have to take a taxi home with a friend”. Uh…what? Xuan you douchebag, I don’t get off the plane until 10pm, and won’t get into the city until 11pm, and you’re leaving at midnight? DOUCHEBAG!
So, I resigned myself to a night in. Safely ensconsed in my cousin’s high-rise bedsit in the heart of Sydney, I was slowly drifting to sleep when I got a call at about 1am. “BOOBIES! I’M STILL OUT AND DANCING, COME OUT!” Oh, thanks for the notice. >.< I didn’t end up going because: a) I was already half asleep; b) the others were already asleep; c) I couldn’t be arsed getting dressed and finding my way to Oxford Street; and d) I had wake up early the next day for a special event. Sorry Xuan, but no dice. Your birthday present (a.k.a. silicon cock sleeve with extra fun tidbits) is in the post!
Sunday
Sunday dawned bright and early, with a 7.30am wake up call. With a need to get out to Penrith (far far western suburb of Sydney) by 9.30am in order to throw ourselves out of a plane, we (my cousin and I) were in Michael’s car by 8am, as he was going to be jumping with us. Just over an hour later, we had arrived in Penrith for a Macca’s breakfast (mmm, healthy). and had signed in at the skydive center. All indenmity forms were completed and we had happily signed over all rights to sue them in case of injury.
Excitement grew. We saw the first group go out (we were to be in the third group) weighed down with parachuting equipment. We even took a photo each in front of the centre, to keep the moment for prosperity.
Then…“Sorry guys, we’ve just heard from the first group. Conditions aren’t good enough for a jump today.”
Shock. Disbelief. Anger. Eventually, tears. “We don’t do refunds I’m afraid, but your tickets are valid for a full year, so you can book any other day within the next twelve months for a jump.”
Fair policy, but not much use for someone who’s based in Melbourne and not likely to return to Sydney often enough to take advantage of it. I currently have a million schemes for getting myself back up to Sydney sometime before the end of this year, but if not…then, well, I’ll have to see if I can get one of my cousin’s friends to take my spot and they can pay me so I get my money back. It’s a huge disappointment however, as I really, truly, did want the adrenaline rush of throwing myself off a plane. I’m crazy, I know, but skydiving is one of those things I simply have to do at some point in my life. Needless to say, I’m looking into skydiving options here in Melbourne.
It was clear that there was only one thing that could immediately alleviate the disappointment: retail therapy. To the chagrin of Michael (who I must admit was extremely good-natured about driving my shopaholic cousin and myself around all day) we ended up hitting three different shopping centres (Penrith Plaza, Rouse Hill and Castle Towers) that day in order to best scope out the available bargains. Out of the three, I’d probably most recommend Castle Towers for a large range of stores, though the setup of Rouse Hill was incredibly modern and lovely.
The day ended with a Korean dinner at Sydney Madang, some Singstar, and the most amazing chocolate desserts ever at San Churros. (Food reviews later in this entry.)
Monday
Monday was another early wake-up call, with the need to be at Manly Beach by 9am as we were scheduled in for a shark dive at Manly Aquarium (Oceanworld). We lucked out, and got the super-hot instructor (ask for Nick Amity if you do the dive!) who was clearly more interested in me than in my cousin, no matter what absurd claims she may make.
The marine animals on display at Manly Aquarium are actually incredibly peaceful, despite their menacing appearance. The sharks in particular (Grey Nurse sharks), are particularly tame, despite their mouthful of sharp teeth. Who would have imagined that something that looks so menacing would actually be physically incapable of ripping your limbs off and gorging themselves on your flesh?
The most majestic creatures though, were probably the stingrays. There’s something about the way they glide through the water. They’re totally owning the moment, owning the water and space around them. The true kings of the ocean.
With a lunch at Sushi Tei in the city (highly recommended!), we then traversed the city’s streets for some high-quality retail therapy. The majority of my purchases were made on this day, with the one recommended “discount shopping” outlet being Market City in Sydney’s Chinatown. This is where I went with the guys last time I was in Sydney, and was where Belinda got her awesomely discounted jacket.
Tuesday
With another day of nothing but retail therapy ahead, we made our way to Bondi Junction. Wet weather meant that we couldn’t enjoy the famed Bondi Beach and the hard bronzed bodies that are inevitably on display at any Australian beach, but their large fully-enclosed shopping centre more than made up for this disappointment.
Bondi Junction is most definitely a pricier shopping destination. I would really only recommend it to those with dollars to spend. I myself only bought another pair of black pointy-toed flats from Wittner (50% off, $45), to be brought out and worn only when my current pair of black pointy-toed flats are entirely worn through and destined for the trash. They’re a staple item in my wardrobe - I wear them to work every day, to university, and generally out and about. Six days a week, for the past two years!
Generally speaking however, Bondi Junction is really only good for those who have a budget of at least $50 per item. You won’t find any $10 sale racks here.
An amazing Peking duck dinner with Michael, some delicious home-made apple turnovers (the man is a genius in the kitchen), and a couple hours of Lost later, we were in bed and sleeping, ready for a 4am wake up for a 6am flight (which ended up being delayed till 9.30am because of fog in Melbourne).
Dining In Sydney
Aside from lazy fruit-and-yoghurt breakfasts, and a few mall food court style lunches (when on one of our shopping sprees), our culinary experiences in Sydney were predominantly of the “let’s eat out in proper restaurants as much as possible” style. Below, a review of each of these eateries:
- Sydney Madang. A Korean restaurant (as in, a proper Korean restaurant that has more native Korean diners than Australian diners) that offers the lot: barbeque, hot pot, and plain dish options. With larger parties (four or more), I’d advise choosing one of each as it’s definitely worth it. The seafood hot pot is particularly recommended. (Value for money 8/10, Authenticity 8/10, Experience 9/10)
- San Churro’s. Apparently, with branches in Melbourne as well, though I’ve never been to them. A chocolate specialist, this small boutique cafe is far superior to the larger chains like Max Brenner’s. Their Spanish doughnuts (dip it in their melted chocolate!) is a true winner, as is their chilli chocolate. (Value for money 6/10, Authenticity 9/10, Experience 10/10)
- Sushi Tei. A surprisingly small restaurant, very reasonably-priced despite its flashy decor. Right in the heart of the central business district, with many office workers favouring it as a lunch destination. Try to get one of the private booths if possible - it allows for a more authentic Japanese experience. Recommended: the eel and king prawn sushi. (Value for money 9/10, Authenticity 8/10, Experience 10/10)
- Superbowl. They strive for an authentic Cantonese/HK dining experience, and specialise in congees and claypots. The decor is unimpressive, reminiscent of the numerous street-side stalls you’ll find in poorer parts of HK…this however, has no impact on the quality of food which is largely tasty and original. Their prawn claypot (with vermicelli noodles) reminds me of of ones I’ve had when actually in Hong Kong. (Value for money 9/10, Authenticity 6/10, Experience 7/10)
- Good Luck Restaurant. As I said once to Nellie, nothing quite beats the authenticity of having Peking duck created by true master chefs in Beijing. However, if worse comes to worse, this Sydney offering of Peking duck will be grudgingly accepted as a favourable Australian interpretation. (Value for money 7/10, Authenticity 5/10, Experience 6/10)
Overall, I think Sydney dining probably has more variety to offer its residents. Melbourne dining is infinitely superior when it comes to Chinese, Italian, and Australian cuisine, but Sydney offers more in the way of Korean, Japanese and specialist dining experiences.
Aww man, sucks that you didn’t get to skydive!! >_< You might want to try again later in the year during Summer when there’s hopefully less chance of rain and what not. Looks like you had fun in the Aquarium, though I never knew they let people dive in!
Belinda on June 10 2008 #
You better take that chance to go skydiving soon, yea?
Gosh, I so wish I can live in Australia when there’s so many discounts! Here the only discount you’ll get is 10-15% for good products. There never is any clearance sales unless a shop is closing :(
We have our own Sushi Tei here, but I’ve never been in there >.< I always go elsewhere for sushi! =DD
Reply: Definitely go to Sushi Tei!
Chien Yee on June 11 2008 #
If I need a travel buddy, I am SO gonna call you. You are the perfecest person for it!! I <3 Sushi Tei.. I think it has one of the best sushis. Well in Jakarta that is hehe.
I wanna try all the divings!!! Lucky you….
Reply: Don’t shout it out loud…but I might be heading your way at the end of the year. :D
Juice on June 11 2008 #
Hm, at first I though “Melbourne - Sydney - that’s not far” but.. it’s almost as far as from southern Germany to the north. Wow. Good luck on that though.
Cool diving picture hehe :D
Reply: Yeah, there’s that whole “Australia’s huge” thing which makes travel quite expensive here. :(
Tracy on June 11 2008 #
That all sounds so awesome. I really want to visit Australia someday! I hope you get a chance to go skydiving, it sounds terrifying but amazing at the same time.
Jenn on June 11 2008 #
I have a mild fear of heights but I really want to go skydiving to get rid of it for good! It’s just one of those things that you HAVE to do before you die!
Katy on June 11 2008 #
Sucks that you didn’t get to go skydiving. Was waiting for a write-up of what it was like. But still, 12 months is a long time, and if you take a road trip up it won’t cost a lot. The dive looked awesome though!
Rebekah on June 11 2008 #
that sucks. last year when I got a rally driving lesson for my birthday, I booked it in March and it rained so it got cancelled - was rebooked for July but when July came, it was cancelled again. So finally in August, I got my birthday present. 8 months late. Those type of things suck and they’re not cheap either. But for the thrill huh?
You haven’t been to San Churros?! There’s one at Knox, one in Fitzroy and one opening in Doncaster I think. I personally think that Melbourne has better food. But hey, who am I to judge?!
Mish on June 12 2008 #
Westfeld Bond is certainly pricier. I guess Sydney is not the city if you are looking for bargains :)
bargains on June 13 2008 #
What concerns me is that your friends call you Boobies :P
Stuart on June 20 2008 #
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