Experiencing NSW Australia's capital, Sydney!

My week of hectic schedule in Auckland and Wellington New Zealand was set to end in Sydney. Australia was part of my business itinerary for the following week. I opted to spend my weekend in Sydney as i had a couple of friends to meet. Yanti was one of them. She was the former Team Lead of the accounts i am currentl managing in Cebu when the business was still in Sydney.

I got a very early flight (06:10AM) with Air New Zealand. With that being said, i had to be in the Wellington International Airport as early as 3:30AM. Geez, i woke up at 2:45AM! Anyway, fast forward. Sydney is 3 hours flight away from Wellington. We landed at the Sydney International airport at 07:20AM local time. Hmmm, wondering about the time? Well, Sydney is 2 hours behind NZ so just do thr math. 

Sydney lies a little north of NZ, the temperature was still cold - could feel the winter breeze. Check out my airport blogs for travel tips for Wellington and Sydney Airport.

After i had been cleared by the Immigration and Custom Officers, i didn't go out from the terminal yet. I took advantage of the free wifi in the airport to connect with friends and update my social sites. I only had to register by providing an email address and off i got an internet connection. It was fast huh! 

After 30 minutes, i moved out from the terminal 1 and hailed a cab going to the CBD. 

I was booked in a 5-star Marriott Hotel situated in Sydney's prime location, the Circular Quay. This site holds the best view of the Harbour Bridge and the world famous Opera House. Well, don't ask me for the price as Sydney is one of the top 10 most expensive city to get in. Thanks to my kind company again!

The cab driver who was an Indian was a bit nice giving me some information for every site/road we passed by. He also went on the CBD route to i could get a glimpse of the Central Business District of Sydney where huge and tall buildings, fancy shopping malls, primera brands are loacated. We passed by the renowned Queen Victoria Building too. It was a nearly 35-minute drive from the airport to Marriott Hotel which roughly cost me $65 (AUD). Exchange rate was roughly 1AUD=41PHP. All taxis accept major credit cards i,e. Visa, Mastercard, Diners, Amex, etc.

This is my room at the Mariott Hotel Circular Quay. It was on fhe 17th floor with a beautiful city view. The photo in the center is a view of some of Sydney's British inspired architecture. My room number was 1724 just in front of the right most lift.

Let me take you to the wonders of Sydney through my photoblog below. Here are the must see tourist spots of Sydney.

1. Opera House. This world renowned landmark of Sydney is located in the Circular Quay - hub of ferries servicing tourists to different nearby islands. There are different ways to get to Circular Quay. There is a Bus Station, a Train Station, or you may also take the most convenient yet most expensive transportation, a taxi.

2. Harbour Bridge. This is the bridge that connects the CBD to the North Sydney. There are different locations where you can take great photos of this giant structure and Circular Quay is one of those. You don't need to stayaway from the Opera House as the Harbour Bridge is just in front of it. 

Here's a photo of mine just at the foot of the Opera House giving me a panoramic backdrop. Just prepare yourself thoug as there are hundreds/thousands of tourists on this area.

3. Watsons Bay. This is one of Sydney's good beaches that offers wide variety of foods spread through a number of Restaurants. Watsons bay can be accessed through Ferries from the Circular Quay. I purchased the All-day pass ticket (which could be used for bus, ferries, and trains within the city). This costs 23AUD. The ferry ride took a couple of stops from different quays, and the whole journey took us around 20 minutes from the Circular Quay.

4. The Gap. This site is heaven on earth. Indeed, it's steepy way up is worth to climb as once you've reached the top, you can see the whole city and the nearby islands. This is accessed through Watsons Bay, just a few meters walk from the port.

AccordingtoYanti, this place is famous to locals as a place for suicides. LoL

5. Bondi Beach. Who says going to the beach is only for summer? Well, Aussies go to Bondi Beach for surfing and swimming all year round. Geez! the winter breeze was crazy yet i saw a lot of people enjoying their swim. 

Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in Sydney. It has a very long shoreline stretched in brownish powdery sand. 

We rode a bus from the Gap and it took us roughly 15 minutes to reach Bondi.

6. Bondi Icebergs. Just within few meters from the Bondi Shoreline is another site famous for its one of a kind swimming pool where waves from the sea meets the pool water.

7. Coastal Walk (Bondi to Cogee walk). If you love walking or jogging, this site is perfect for you. Yanti and i continued our walk from Bondi to the Sydney's coastal walk site. This coastal pathway connects some of the famous beaches from Bondi beach, to Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, and Cogee Beach. A total of 6 kilometers walk. Yanti and I decided to end our walk at the exit of Waberly Cemetery as it was already dark.

8. Royal Botanical Garden. This is just at the back of the Marriott Hotel. Few meters away from the Circular Quay. It offers another angle of view of the Opera House and the Sydney Skyline. Greeneries is all around this place.

9. Cockatoo Island. This is a UNESCO heritage island along the Sydney Harbour. This is a 20-minute ferry ride from the Circular Quay. Return ferry ticket is priced at 7AUD. An island bar serves tourists on this very small land with a wide range of drinks and Pizzas. Truly, a lovely place to unwind, cool ambiance with a panoramic view of the Sydney Habour and its Bridge.

                                  

10. The Rocks. This place offers tourists a great site of the Opera House and thr Harbour Bridge. This is adjacent to the Circular Quay. Restaurants of different cusisines and bars are all around thr area.

11. Circular Quay. A very busy place jampacked with throudands of tourists everyday. It is the site of Ferry Terminals, Opera House, Bars, Souvenir shops, and restaurants.

12. The Star Sydney - Marquee Club. This is a very posh area where night entertainment of Sydney is housed. Ranginf from casinos to clubs, The Star Sydney is definitely a nocturnal site. This is located in 80 Pyrmont Street just around 15 minutes away from the Circular quay. Taxi costs us 17AUD from thr Marriott Hotel.

The club only admits people who are 18 years old and above. Other than your age, one is required to dress in formal code begore entering the Marquee club.

13. Darling Harbour. For lights fanatics, this place is for you. It is walking distance from the CBD. Here you'll see buildings lit with colorful lights which reflects in the water of the harbour. A number of restaurants offering wide variety of foods are available in the area.

See details of each tourist site in my next blogs.