A Trip to Remember With My Love
It had been over three years since I went on a proper trip (all thanks to the pandemic…Ugh!) and I couldn’t resist dreaming about travelling day in and out. Sydney had been one of my topline destinations since forever and I couldn’t have been happier when I won two tickets in a lucky draw at a travel fair in my neighbourhood. So, in case you’ve been wondering why my blog has been quiet for a while, here’s why! I was in Sydney, the Emerald City, with my sweetheart. If you’re curious, here’s how the trip went by.
Two Days Around the Harbour
On the day of our arrival, we spent the whole day sleeping in our room at one of the popular waterfront hotels in the area, which had a nice view of the famous Sydney Harbour. After all, it was a 13-hr flight from my hometown back in India and it didn’t hurt to “waste” a day taking in the gorgeous views from our room. Although I should mention, Sid and I did step out of the building in the evening to see the dazzling harbour by the night. And that’s when we heard of the glass boat Sydney dinner cruise on the harbour. Of course, there were plenty of recreational boats in the area and this one stood for us because of its stunning nautical design. We immediately booked us two tickets and got aboard the dinner cruise. I can’t find the right words to describe how amazing the experience was. With 360° views of the harbour, a delectable dinner and impeccable service, the dinner cruise exceeded all our expectations. After the cruise, I kept wondering how a lunch cruise in Sydney would be. But since our itinerary allowed us only two days on the harbour, it was only logical that we avoided it. However, if I ever go to Sydney one more time, I'll surely get on a glass boat lunch cruise. One the second day of our arrival, we got aboard a bus tour around The Rocks, a prominent historical area in Sydney. We also visited the Royal Botanic Gardens and Madame Tussauds.
Beach Hopping Like a Local
Sydney’s biggest and most coveted attraction is its countless beaches. It’s no wonder that Sydneysiders follow a very easy-going and vibrant beach lifestyle. Bent towards all things related to sun, surf and sand, a vast majority of Sydneysiders can be found at the beach on any given day. We visited two main beaches—Coogee and Bondi–where we found ourselves amidst a large crowd. And obviously we steered towards the crowd-less ends of the beach; although we had to walk miles, the beach walk was indeed one of the best experiences on the trip. Oh…and not to mention, we didn’t know that beach walks were a thing in Sydney until later. We also spent two days exploring the idyllic Sydney Harbour beaches (which aren’t technically beaches but I’d still ship them); they were amazing too–with rich foliage and spectacular views. My no.1 advice to visitors, don’t miss beach hopping in Sydney, lest you miss out on the best parts of the city.
A Hunter Valley Extravaganza
A place to enjoy the finer things in life, The Hunter Valley, is so full of flair and beauty. And of course, don’t forget its wineries. Only a short drive from Sydney, Hunter Valley makes for a wonderful getaway from the bustling city life. While you’re here, taste some of the legendary wines including the Hunter Valley Semillon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Merlot. You may choose between acidic and toasty versions of the wines here, depending on your taste. Also, don’t forget the dessert wines, which pay homage to the ever-popular French and Canadian ice-wines.
Sydney, for us, was a sudden one, and it was incredible. However, we couldn’t document almost half of our trip as it was only partially on our schedule. On that note, we’ll be back with the rest of our Sydney experience next week.
