Christmas and New Years in Sydney

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A few weeks before we headed off for Australia, my friend Sunjay happened to mention that he would be there. Small world huh? So Kim and I spent a few days with Sunjay, Bindu, and Maya in Sydney. You may remember that Sunjay is a friend from the USA and we spent a few days with him in southern India at the following link: http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/India/Karnataka/Mysore/blog-294039.html

We met Sunjay and family for dinner and a walk around Circular Quay and then the next day we all went to the Blue Mountains together on a tour. The Blue Mountains are west of Sydney, about an hour away.

Here is Sunjay and Bindu's blog from that visit (its way better than our): http://www.travelblog.org/Oceania/Australia/New-South-Wales/Sydney/blog-362248.html
We may need to start some blog wars with them.

Before Sunjay showed up in Sydney, we spent a few days at the Rocks just west of Circular Quay at the Sydney Harbour Bed and Breakfast The bed and breakfast is two brick homes built in about 1900 that were joined together to provide about 12 rooms. They make a nice breakfast and they are clearly people who enjoy their work and do it well. I would recommend staying there to get a feel for one of the oldest and most interesting neighborhoods in Sydney which is just steps from the Sydney Opera House. You can take a ferry from Circular Quay round trip to many parts of the harbour, day and evening.

From the Rocks, under the Sydney Harbor Bridge, walk left (west) along the harbour sidewalk and check out the warf-condos that have their own boat docks.

Two other great city neighborhoods are Paddington and Darlinghurst. Paddington is the gay area and Darlinghurst is the fashion area. The Lonely Planet provides walking paths and both are great for people watching, shopping, and food. These are both great neighborhoods to stay in if you can find a hotel or bed and breakfast. Kings Cross is a formerly seedy area that retains adult book stores and strip clubs, but is worth a visit because it has a vibrant and artistic youth culture with arts and restaurants. It is where many backpackers stay.

Darling Harbour is just west of downtown and a bit touristy, but it is a must see. There is a great zoo and aquarium there and a nice view. China town is just south a few steps from Darling Harbour and that is where you should shop if you like a bargain.

Check out the Queen Victoria Building above the Town Hall subway station in the city center. This is clearly one of the most beautiful buildings in Sydney.

The downtown area of Sydney is so compact that you can walk almost anywhere including all of the above mentioned areas.

Bondi Beach is further east of downtown Sydney. You can get there in 15 minutes by taxi ($40) or 45 minutes by train and bus transfer ($6.00). We walked from Bondi Beach down to Congee Beach in about 2 hours. The walk is surprising in that the water and coastline remain undeveloped (no harbors or docks).

Imagine a city that has some of the better visual characteristics of San Francisco, Miami, San Diego, Portland, and Seattle in the US, and Nice in France. That’s Sydney.

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