This past weekend I spent my weekend hanging out in Sydney's CBD (Central Business District). After taking a bus and a train ride from where I was staying to Central Station in Sydney, I checked in to Sydney Central YHA which was one of the many backpackers' hostels that abound Sydney (Unlike the movie Hostel this was way safer).
I met up with SB's Roi Dboi and after dropping off my bag and a quick change our first destination was Chinatown. Yes, Chinatown is an integral part of every metropolitan area in almost every major city in the world. After a quick bite we then explored Sydney on foot starting off with Chinatown moving on to the commercial district which boasted the major fashion brands. We visited Myers & Westlakes considered as the huge and upscale malls in Australia. I was able to soak in much of Sydney's architectural wonders from Martin Place which has a large stock of Victorian era buildings, built from the Hawkesbury sandstone on which the city lies to the circular Tower building in Australia Square. Most world renowned hotels were also within walking distance like Hilton,
Shangri-La, Marriott, Four Seasons, etc... by 6PM we then headed over to Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay to have dinner at Hurricane's who served by far the best baby back ribs I've tasted! After that heavy dinner we then headed off on foot crossing the Pyrmont bridge before taking a bus that took us to Circular Quay where we checked the different establishments along the road. Luck was not on our side after our companions were asked to present ID's before being allowed to enter a German Pub after me and Roi Dboi were ushered in no questions asked by the bouncer. We then made our way to Baroque a French / Italian resto which offered a nice view of Sydney Cove. Before calling it a night we ventured again on foot passing by the different clubs and pubs that were already bustling with patrons, we then enjoyed a few drinks at an uncrowded pub before getting a quick bite of fish balls and spicy squid at a Chinese eatery a few meters away from our hostel before calling it a night. The next morning we then headed over to the famed Sydney Opera House near Circular Quay. Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957. Utzon received the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honour, in 2003. Around the Sydney Opera house were small restaurants that catered to tourists and families who visit the area almost everyday. We
then helped ourselves to some Sushi, Sashimi, & Saki at Kenji while taking in the view of Sydney Cove and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We then took a tram to visit a local fish market near John St Square where we helped ourselves to a variety of freshly caught seafood at a restaurant just nearby. Our last stop for the day was Paddy's Market which is much alike our local flee market where almost everything from shirts, coats, shoes, trinkets, etc... were being sold. Most of the shops were Chinese owned which made sense considering that prices were dirt cheap and one can haggle for a discount, after getting a few souvenirs we then headed off to Central Station to head back. Two days of touring the city was not enough and I do plan to head back again in a few weeks time if time permits to continue on to where I left off last weekend. Hopefully, I can get more pictures and souvenirs on my next visit. Til next time then!
