Sydney 2009

our sydney trip is only days away.
as usual we are too pre-occupied with work and the daily grind to get too excited. we be strange peoples. guess this is the life we chose for ourselves, living life day by day, with nary time to sit back and relax, and to take a step back to contemplate life's finest.

anyways...

we be staying at the Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour.



this is what they claim on their website:

Excitement, refreshment and discovery await within only minutes walk to Sydneys best tourist and shopping attractions including Darling Harbour, the Sydney Aquarium, Star City Casino, Sydney Convention and Entertainment Centre, Chinatown and the Queen Victoria Building: all the best entertainment and dining options are at our doorstep.

Best Superior Hotel of the Year finalist in this years 2009 AHA (NSW) Awards for Excellence, Crowne Plaza Darling Harbour offers 345 spacious guest rooms with sweeping views of Darling Harbour or the glittering Sydney city skyline.

so we can rightfully expect it to be quite good. best thing is that it is only 2km from sydney harbour bridge/ sydney opera house. and we are in the immediate vicinity of popular attractions like



Although we have no strict itinerary for the days we are there, I do plan to visit all or most of the following places.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE (including guided tour)

the iconic feature of sydney...and australia for that matter. heard the guided tour of the inner workings of this architectural marvel is worth every cent.

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE

if we feel up to it, we may even attempt to walk across this metallic monstrosity.

Taronga Zoo

easily one of the most picturesque zoo's anywhere. and the journey there, and the trip up only add to it's mystique.

Sydney Aquarium

very near to our hotel. and we re also able to procure joint admission tickets for this, Sydney Wildlife World and the Sky Tower

SYDNEY WILDLIFE WORLD

just next door to Sydney Aquarium, and yes, very close to our hotel. not quite in the league of Taronga or even Featherdale for that matter, but a worthwhile visit nonetheless.

Royal Botanic Gardens

a beautiful garden, with a stunning view of the harbour.

Bondi Beach

the beach synonymous with the beach culture Down Under and all that it entails.

Chinese Garden of Friendship

another attraction close to our hotel, and it seems to be featured on just about every guide book and tourist website. should be worthwhile to find out what the fuss is all about.

other places to consider if we still have time after all of the above"
- Oceanworld Manly
- Featherdale Wildlife Park
- St. Mary's Cathedral




due to the location of our hotel and where the transportation hub is, we will find ourselves at Darling Harbour and Circular Quay alot.

Some markets to visit
- Chinatown Nightmarket (Friday from 4pm to 11pm)
- The Rocks Weekend Market
- Bondi Beach Market (on sundays)
- Opera House Market (Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00)
- Paddington Market (Saturday 10:00 to 17:00)
- The Rocks Market (Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 and 17:00)

we had also wanted to go whale watching, but apparently the whale migration season ended last month, so it is a no go. but agnes wants me to talk to the whales to come back...


but we could alternatively go dolphin watching at either Jervis Bay or Port Stephens, but these are full day tours



There is also this mega free concert going on whilst we are there



Carols in the Domain
when: 19th December 2009
where? :The Domain, Royal Botanic Gardens
time 12 pm till 11pm
concert starts at 8.30 pm
it's free!!
and all the big stars will be out in force.