Larina says:: October 2013

Sydney is where my heart is. Or at least till today :P

One of the vintage postcards I scouted at The Rocks Market

Just flew back to Malaysia after a mere 9 days in Sydney with the family for my brother's graduation. Too short of a time to really get to know the life as a Sydneysider or practise the lifestyle of one :P The weather was lovely during my visit - 20 to 25 degree celcius with warm sun and cool breeze.

The family with brother on his graduation day at UTS

We rented a 1 bedroom apartment at Poplar Street, Surry Hills for the cost of AUD1,910.00 for the said 9 days. Honestly, it isn't a good idea if you are staying with a big family of 5 like mine! But anyway, we didn't mind - my family is always a fan of the idea of "staying cosy together" anyway. LOL

We spent the first 2 days roaming in the city, mostly at Chinatown where the Market City and Paddys Market are. Purchased a whole load of souvenir items at Paddys Market. Tourist fever. I regretted not having visited the letterpress studio, The Distillery, that I planned to visit, thinking I'd still have more time...but until the day I left.. I didn't get the chance. Sobs..

Ahh.. the warm Sydney sun

Flowers blooming at Hyde Park

Me and mama enjoying the sun at Hyde Park

Spotted a huge snail at Hyde Park :)

Market City

Paddy's Market

Salt and pepper deep fried calamari - our favourite finger food :>

Central Station

An 80 year old Korean performer at China Town

We took the train from Central Station to Circular Quay station. Of course, to snap pictures of Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. And I'm pretty happy to have visited the Rocks Market which was opened only in the weekends and purchased some pretty cool vintage postcards and handmade coasters. I wished to have purchased more!! And we took the ferry out to Manly Beach. The crowd was quite overwhelming but the beach was lovely.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Check out the climbers at Harbour Bridge.
I wanted to climb the bridge too but it cost AUD300/person to do so - with sunset view :)

Night view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Night view of Sydney Harbour Bridge

The view at Manly

Manly Beach

Not a bad view at Manly :)

Cool handmade coasters I scouted from The Rocks Market

Funny coasters I scouted from Hunter Valley

Vintage postcards that I heart

Sydney Fish Market is of course another must go place in Sydney to enjoy fresh seafood and fresh oysters. Yumm yummmehh~

Arriving at Sydney Fish Market by bus from Central Station

Seafood galore

The 3rd day was spent at Taronga Zoo. The zoo is huge and we didn't manage to cover the whole place 'coz we reached in the afternoon and the zoo closes at 5pm.. Bummer.. And the entrance fee cost AUD44/person! (Yeah, I'm converting to Ringgit Malaysia so... of course I felt the pinch!)

The Family at Taronga Zoo

Me and my baby sis and brother :P

We went to Hunter Valley the following day. A trip to Australia without a visit to the suburbs is like never a trip to Australia before, innit? Loved the suburbs. We visited a couple of wineries and bought a couple of bottles of Moscato. Heehee.. Followed by a visit to the Smelly Cheese Factory and the Chocolate Factory.

Enjoying my moment at Hunter Valley

The bro and sis acting silly with their chocolates

Cute penguin chocolates

Dad was asking: "Why do we want to pose with the truck?!" Hahaha

Acting pro in wine tasting

Posing at the Hunter Valley Gardens

My bro's turn to pose

Take 1

Take 2

Take 3

Take 4!

My whole family has been to Blue Mountains and initially, no one wanted to go again. Apparently, seeing the 3 Sisters once in your lifetime is sufficient. LOL. But given that I haven't been there myself and couldn't find a friend to go with me (my two Sydney friends are either working or not keen to go again either), my family was obligated to accompany me to go again.

Can you spot the 3 Sisters?

The world's steepest railway?
Check out the passengers hahaha

My baby sis attempting the long flight of stairs

My turn

Mama, me and Vivian - Don't we look like 3 sisters? :>>

I love Bondi. No doubt 'bout it. The blue sea and the blue sky.. gosh.. heart-catching!

We were very lucky to receive the generous hospitality extended by my parents' highschool friend, Aunty Judy who brought us to Watsons Bay, Dover Heights, La Perouse and Bondi Beach.

Tai chi master and Yogi wannabe

Err...

Heiyaakkkkk

Hmmmm... let's enjoy the sun at Dover' Heights

Pa, ma and Aunt Judy

How's our pose? lol

Fantastic view at La Perouse

Another great view at Watsons Bay

Lovely day for brunch

My hearty brunch

Lovely day at La Perouse

A lovely cafe - The Book Kitchen

In carnivorous mode at Hurricane's Grill

Night view at Darling Harbour

Night view at Luna Park -
we didn't get to ride the rides though :P

And credits must be given to 2 of my friends residing in Sydney - for their wonderful hospitality in bringing me out for dinner and showing me some of the colours in Sydney :-)