Coming into Land
They matter, all these things in Sydney matter.
A few weeks ago I was sipping a Mai Tai on the beach in my cozzie….well maybe not in my cozzie and it may have been white wine but you get the picture. I landed back in Queenstown to snow, no central heating and a cold.
Sydney is a mere two and a half hours from your comfy aeroplane seat. Two and a half hours. It takes me that long to de-gunge the hair out of the plug in the shower so don’t tell me it’s far away and you can’t make it. You can and you will.
Sydney Opera House
Down the streets…always look up
I headed to Sydney because a) snow was predicted and we ALL know how I feel about that b) TEDxSydney was on and the opportunity to get a ticket doesn’t come around very often and 3) I’ve heard that the Sydney Opera House does a mean dirty Martini so I was hooked. I also had just got married so a honeymoon was on the cards. See I cater for all. Look at the lengths I go to to send you away on holiday!
We were planning on staying in Manly for most of the week and have either side booked with an Air BnB. We found an amazing place in Darlinghurst that was like something out of a New York hipster movie. Arriving in the dark we found (with perfectly listed directions) a gorgeous leafy part of the inner city with bars and restaurants within hurling distance. Just lovely. And then on the last day a lovely hotel in Coogee called The Dive Hotel. Right next to the beach.
Darlinghurst Pad
Gorgeous apartment in Darlinghurst
Heading over on the boat to Manly each day could be a bit of a baller but I loved it. It actually made you relax (because you had nowhere to go), sit back and watch the weather and waves get you where you needed to be. Forced relaxation ain’t bad. Once there, we had a gorgeous apartment to stay in right on the beach. And I mean if I threw my glass of water it would land in the sea (but why would I do that you ask? I’ve may have had a few dirty Martini’s since I’ve returned home.)
The week then took on it’s own. TEDxSydney, where we accepted the challenge of Guinness World record of most people playing the spoons in the one place (you heard it hear folks), wandering the lanes eating cakes, drinking coffee and snapping pictures. We also experienced Manly for all it’s worth. You can get on the footpaths around the town and simply wander from cafe to cafe. The Bower Restaurant was a favourite, all grey and blue and simply amazing coffee right next to Shelly Beach. The Salty Rooster, where they had over ten types of burger from all over the world  (I went for the NZ of course. The best fish burger I’ve ever tasted) and Manly Wine where we felt on holiday the minute we stepped foot in it’s creamy wood-panelled interior. (Go for the breakfast burger and craft beers).
Tried to get it in my suitcase. Manly Pool
Walking to Shelly Beach
Hawaii or Manly?
Beach front!
Aha spent alot of time in here. Manly Wine
Shelly beach
Yeah normal view
While we were there Vivid was just starting to be set up. Like our own Luma Festival here in Queenstown, Vivid started out as a small light festival that now is gargantuan in size. So so creative and so much to see. We saw the set up as we were wandering around Taronga Zoo where I got to see my favourites, Giraffes.
Vivid Light show!
Yep you’re right. Doughnuts with Nutella
Manly Food and Wine Festival
The absolute bestest (it’s a word) fish burger I’ve ever had
Deliciousness at The Bower Restaurant
Dirty Martini
Can you feel a trend…?
Get out of the city and wander the small suburbs, Coogee, Manly and Darlinghurst all have their own delights. Little Jack Horner in Coogee did such a good  nachos and guacamole I had to be dragged kicking and screaming for a walk on the gorgeous beach there. Another gorgeous beach? Oh go on then.
Also whilst in Manly the Food and Wine festival just so happened to pop up. Unfortunately on the only grey day of our holiday but they had wine and nutella filled doughnuts so I wasn’t too bothered. Meat on a skewer as long as your arm? Yes please I’ll have three.
The most amazing dumpling place was right at the water front in downtown Sydney. Loftus was in a little alleyway but had the best dumplings I’ve ever tasted. I can’t remember the name of the street, so you’ll have to wander.
Little Jack Horner, Coogee
Little Jack Horner
The Dive Hotel, Coogee
Coogee sunset
I may also have bought a new camera. Snapping is the perfect way for me to see a new place. I’ve been to Sydney before (I even lived there for a while) but I didn’t have any sort of interest in photography. Now I am it’s a whole new place with little streets and alleyways to explore. Food to take pictures of (yes I may be one of ‘those’) and lots and lots of new skies to watch. Getting out of the town into the city sure is good once in a while.
Get out amongst the amazingness of Sydney, get down some alleyways, sip some cocktails and always always look up.
But boy oh boy do I love coming home.
