Others may see it differently, but I never considered my love for Australia as some tenuous connection. When I was at school in Hyderabad, India, 5 of my teachers, including my cricket coach, were from Australia. And I adored all of them; they were the best.
Deep down, I always craved to go and visit Australia sometime in my life. But then fate had it that I move to Canada for further studies and, between running a house trying to provide an intellectually stimulating environment for my two boys, and burdened with many other responsibilities, traveling anywhere far off was out of question. Sure a trip from my hometown in Edmonton in Alberta to nearby places in Canada and USA came my way, but the possibility of a long and expensive travel to Australia was never in the works. Even if I could arrange for the money to travel, I did not have any time from my busy schedule and even if I were to steal some time from my responsibilities, the cost of travel was a luxury I could ill afford.
Pretty soon the burning desire to go to Australia simmered down and later it all but vanished. It got ignited once more though, when one of my teachers from my alma mater came for a visit to Alberta and quite accidentally met me. Just a chance meeting in Calgary with Mr. B.Hood ignited the desire once again to visit Sydney in Australia where he lived. He was kind enough to extend an open invitation to me to come see him.
I remember it so distinctly when my Mon Garcon More, (I used to call Moe my son that) came home one day and announced he was going to Germany. With a heavy heart I let him go, what other choice did I have as he had decided to pursue his career there and had already landed a job in Berlin. But presto! Within a month from that time, he phoned me saying he was moving to Australia and was engaged to be married to a girl who lived in Canberra. He urged me to come Down Under and meet his bride to be.
Without further ado I found myself in Australia, landing in Sydney and then proceeding to Canberra. My son showed me the beautiful countryside near Canberra, and later we spent a long time in Sydney where he eventually snagged a plum job and lives there with his lovely wife in a stunning home that he built.
Though sad, as my teacher had passed on, I still felt I had not let him down because at least I came to visit, if not him, the city he lived in.
And, turns out, I simply fell in love with Sydney, where I have been again and again from my present place of residence in Ottawa in Canada.
Sydney is indeed a lovely city nestled in the most pristine and scenic surroundings. With an almost unending coast line with expansive beaches including Bondi, the city lies on the east coast Of New South Wales with Pacific Ocean on its eastern front. The scenic Blue Mountains are to the west, the Hawkesbury River to the north and the Woronora Plateau is south of Sydney.
I love to hang out, and where better to do this than in Sydney—a city teeming with people from almost every nationality and ethnic background. This is an important fact which has largely contributed to the exotic and diverse nature of the appearance of the city itself.
As I travel around the city, the feature which impresses me is the distinct character of different areas. More days than naught, I find myself in central Sydney where there is so much to see and do.
The Rocks and Circular Quay are beautiful and vibrant areas, with ferries regularly leaving from the Quay to the different close by islands, or for just a round trip back, with stops at Watson’s Bay, Darling Harbor, and other worth visiting and scenic areas. As the ferry takes off, you drift closer, and past the iconic Opera House. The imposing Sydney Harbor Bridge referred to by locals as the coat hanger, because of its shape, is visible from different angles, in all its splendor, as you sail along.
Opera House, of course, is the famous building which has the most unique architecture by Jorn Utzon and extremely popular with tourists. It is a center for performing arts. Under its visible exterior shells are the interior halls and theaters designed with the best acoustics. The ceilings and walls of the theater are painted black to try and keep the attention of the audience on to the stage. This building took almost 14 years to be completed and far surpassed its original projected cost. The concert halls have beautiful views especially from the Utzon Room. In the foyer of the Opera Theater tourists are captivated by a very famous mural titled Detail of The Possum Dreaming by Tjakamarra Nelson, who is from the desert part of Central Australia.
On the west side of The Rocks is the Darling Harbor which has within its boundaries a bustling China town. I have made sure to visit the Botanic Gardens, a lush green paradise within the heart of the city just adjacent to the Rocks and Circular Quay which are the oldest areas in the city’s inner boundary. Further east is Darlinghurst and King Cross heavily lined with cafes and restaurants serving delectable cuisine, and it is a very busy place for everyone, particularly the rich and famous. Note, you should not miss out Paddington with its 19th century character still intact with its famous terrace houses.
Though excessive drinking is a cause of some inappropriate behavior on the part of some misguided youth, it is never a common occurrence in this part of town. I have to admit though, I did see a brawl, in front of Misfits, which proudly advertises itself as a “Swank and Fab Little Bar.” It is swank alright, and fab because of the elegant variety and quality of cocktails served here.
New Hampton is a more prestigious bar close by on Bayswater Road where the T-bone steak they serve with mash is out of the world, even though here it might have a dubious distinction of being pub fare. Mind you, if you want serious steak you can go to the nearby The Cut Bar and Grill.
If you want to dine at a restaurant with a view then the logical place would be The Dining Room, a restaurant where you will enjoy their dishes and ambiance. I have ventured here once and had a buffet breakfast that gives you the choice to order any item from the a la carte menu while savoring the beautiful panoramic view of the harbor. I did not regret forking out 45 AUD for a sumptuous meal and a café with a view.
If your budget is good for a moderate eatery, then try The Silly Tart Kitchen at Potts point; their corn fritters are remarkable. If you are craving for a burger you might like to consider Buns and Balls nearby, and even though it is designated as a pub, who said you have to buy a drink here?
For French food try Craperie Suzette. Apetito is a good choice for Italian food. But there is other ethnic food from every background in this area itself. Some good ones I have been to: Chinese, King Chef Chinese Restaurant; Thai, Wild Ginger; Indian, Malabar South Indian Restaurant in Darlinghurst. Besides these there is delectable food at Lebanese, Persian, African, joints nearby. In fact, virtually preparations from every part of the world are to be found. So suit your mood.
If you relish good coffee then you should amble on to the Clock Tower Mall close by and enjoy the brew at Café Daniela; Starbucks pales in comparison. I have tried at different occasions, Mochaccino and Piccolo Latte and both varieties where tops.
Sydney also has its share of museums and art galleries. I have been to a few, they being: The Museum of Sydney, The Museum of Contemporary Art and The Art Gallery of New South Wales.
I intend to go to The Hyde Park Barracks, a place constructed by convicts to house themselves and later used to accommodate poor female immigrants. The sketches, I am told, in this place depict the life of these miserable souls and serve as an informative chronicle of the past. The misconception that Australians are mostly descendants of convicts is just that—a misconception.
It is amazing how much history there is in this bustling young city. The first British ship under command of Captain Arthur Phillip landed in 1788 and, for a period the development of The Rocks and Quays was dismal and decrepit. But that was then and now it is a different story.
But in the end it is the denizens who make or break the lure of any city. Sydney is blessed with the most friendly and laid back, cool people. Most of them know what is cricket and what is not cricket! Even though a few would know that the first Sydney cricket test in Sydney was played in February of 1882. I can’t wait to watch the Ashes–so much a tradition as die hard cricket fans wait anxiously for the English cricket series to commence.
My affection for Sydney has strengthened and if my teachers where alive they would have been happy.