Sexy Sydney ....

[Alibaba]

We went to visit Sydney last month - for 5 days holiday full of fine food and enjoyed the best of Sydney can offer.

Enjoy the photos and in personal level - these are my diary and notes for the holiday

.....
Alibaba Diary

The week before our visit, the Good Food Guide book just released its book (for Sydney and Melbourne) and announced the rankings and hatted restaurants. So this solved our problem in deciding where to dine in Sydney.
After 2 weeks deliberation - we decided to try some finest restaurants to experience

We stayed in this little Kirketon Boutique hotel in chic Darlinghurst - http://www.kirketon.com.au/ (http://www.kirketon.com.au/)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010142-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch15)



We checked out streets around Paddington on foot and admired the classic Paddos terrace houses - check the photos.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010007-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch31)

These terrace houses can be worth Aus $1.5m to $2.5 m easily (or more)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010013-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch30)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010015.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch26)


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010001-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch32)


Bit dissapointed as we could not find any open cafes to relax around oxford street and decided to go back to the hotel - as it was soo hot and we were so tired and thirsty.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010025-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch25)


First nite in Sydney - we met our friends Paul and Lisa - it was Paul's birthday. We went for drink at this gorgeous Victoria Room bar http://www.thevictoriaroom.com/main.php (http://www.thevictoriaroom.com/main.php) for drink and tapas... it was good !
then we went to groovy Surrey Hills for Bentley restaurant and bar - newly crowned BEST new restaurant in Sydney - (2 hats) http://www.thebentley.com.au/ (http://www.thebentley.com.au/)

It was good experience - the food was fantastic to start the holiday and we then hang around oxford street - which was so gay before and now bit of mixed. we had great nite then
we checked some gay bars - and of course - we have to bumped into the most famous Sydney muscle mary - who else but Ian Roberts....

The second day we explored the gorgeous Sydney Botanical gardens - and we went to the rock behind the art gallery where we talked for hours - 15 years ago.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010043.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch21)


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010068-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch22)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010070-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch28)

(me in pink)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010059-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=20#imgAnch23)


We had gorgeous lunch in Wooloomoolo wharf restarant called China Dolls (no hat cos it is new ) it was really good chinese http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/china_doll/ (http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/china_doll/) - and the maitre d - a sexy and exotic gay man gave us lots of tips for places to go

Wooloomolo wharf (Russell Crowe penthouse is the end one)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010079-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch20)


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010080.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch19)

The nite we tried the Sydney establishment - Lucio http://www.lucios.com.au/ (http://www.lucios.com.au/) in the old moneys Paddington. I had the most beautiful rissoto with lamb shank on the top. It is a two hats restaurant and we will come back here for sure. !

however the highlight was the 2 hats Icebergs http://www.idrb.com/icebergs/index2.htm (http://www.idrb.com/icebergs/index2.htm) in Bondi beach.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010164-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch16)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010170.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch14)


The most glamourous restaurant with service to match. The founder and owner - a Melbourne icon- Maurizio Terzini who opened some famous Melbourne icons like Ecuchina and Il baccaro - happened to be in the SMH magazine - with headline stating - The Melbourne man who redefines Sydney dining scene. Well, he is worth mentioned - the whole experiences were awesome - with spectacular bar overlooking the half moon shaped Bondi beach - and the service standard was so high - reminds me home at Melbourne - with italian waiters dressed immaculately and were so attentive in looking after you...

We saw some TV presenter but couldnt think her name and few high maintenance princesses dining there. We spent 3 hrs there and foregone the shopping trip to Bondi junction - welll dont blame us ...!
it wasnt cheap lunch (for $300) - but all worth it

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010154-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch12)


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010179.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch13)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010157.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch18)


The dinner at iconic 3 hats QUAY http://www.quay.com.au/ (http://www.quay.com.au/) was overshadowed by the icebergs lunch - but the view overlooking the famous Sydney icons - That Bridge and Opera house were spectacular but the ambience was a bit 15 yrs ago.

We also toured the downtown - I was not so impressed much - as seems the streets were smaller and narrow and the buildings & traffic were so congested. We found some grand buildings like the Grand Post Office below.



http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010095-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch17)


The next was Manly beach - great beach - love it.. the trip by ferry was amazing. I have never seen so many mansions in my life ! Sydney is just soooo unashamely decadent and showy !

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010191.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch10)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010193-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch9)


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010201.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch7)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010208-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch6)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010200.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch8)


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010222.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch5)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010235-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch4)


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010249.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch2)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010250.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch1)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010241-1.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch3)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/P1010185.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g228/AdeMelbourne/?start=#imgAnch11)

Our last dinner we had at 1 hat Otto http://www.otto.net.au/ (http://www.otto.net.au/) - we had the best meal there - i think its worth 2 hats - sexy view overlooking sydney skyline.... so romantic and relaxing. It was at Wololomoolo wharf again.

Just before we went to Otto - our hip hotel Kirketon played host for the Good Food Month Soiree and attended by famous local chef. I had a quick look the party and saw Bill Grangers (of Bills) there chatting away.
The hotel restaurant is currently featured in latest Vogue Travel and Entertainment magz. What a nice conicidence !

Australia is so lucky to have exciting cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Both are soo different and offering two distinct lifestyles .... choice is yours...

[Fabb]

So nice ! Thanks for the travel notes.

[skylife]

Amazing!

[Cory]

Nice to see a small peak of Sydney neighborhoods.

[gaz78]

Ohh that was so good. I might post some pics that I shot when I was down there for 10 days for the Sydney International Boat Show in August.

[Alibaba]

Ohh that was so good. I might post some pics that I shot when I was down there for 10 days for the Sydney International Boat Show in August.

looking forward to seeing your photos... !

[OfCourse]

Those are some incredible shots you got there, Alibaba. Sydney looks amazing. Makes me want to visit, and I will eventually. Heh. :yes:

[Paintballer1708]

Beautiful city. One of my favorites.

[Alibaba]

These are not my photos - but just damn sexy....

enjoy

http://i6.tinypic.com/1z5s12g.jpg


http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/ImageGallery/2004/images/harbour.jpg

[StevenW]

Very, very nice, indeed! :yes:
So pretty there! :)
Awesome pix. :yes: :)

[streetscaper]

We know why you took this picture, and we like it!!!!

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2081/a1dx2.jpg

[OfCourse]

^^^ Agreed. Ha ha. :whip:

[flar]

Sydney is quite a beautiful city

[sciguy0504]

Beautiful! I can't wait to go back.

[mSeattle]

Sydney is sexy in your pictures. Thanks for the sunshine.

[Wheelingman04]

What a cool city.

[Sacto]

Awesome thread. Sydney is a gorgeous city...nice beaches...cool skyline.

[excel]

Beautiful city.

[Alibaba]

We know why you took this picture, and we like it!!!!

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2081/a1dx2.jpg

busted am I ?

i am trying to capture the native natural beauty ....

[RafflesCity]

lovely pics!

[myord]

busted am I ?

i am trying to capture the native natural beauty ....
I took the liberty of quickly merging your two shots, which I thought ;) was the initial intention :-):banana: What do you think?
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/8641/panosidneytest2cg6.jpg

[Alibaba]

I took the liberty of quickly merging your two shots, which I thought ;) was the initial intention :-):banana: What do you think?
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/8641/panosidneytest2cg6.jpg
that is so cool myord

i was too slow to capture the boat then..
thanks so much

[Jeffy78]

:rock:

Awesome thread, dude! Those beaches are looking mighty inviting right now. It would be a nice change from the wet and cold Canadian west coast!

[myord]

that is so cool myord
i was too slow to capture the boat then..thanks so much
Great thread with lots of good pictures, very enjoable.
Re: the "pano" experiment: I used some "stitch it" program - just a quickie, but it did the trick. ;)

[muppet]

Alibaba, who's the guy in ur signature pic?

[Alibaba]

Great thread with lots of good pictures, very enjoable.
Re: the "pano" experiment: I used some "stitch it" program - just a quickie, but it did the trick. ;)

thanks again... i am pleased that people enjoyed my thread

i know now bout the stitching quickie... u know what i mean ...
i also loved your Toronto thread... that is so awesome...

for muppet - not sure who that is.. i think 'just' a brazilian model.... someone from Rio

[zerokarma]

Great pictures!

[Alibaba]

I stole photos from OZscrapers for u to enjoy


Sydney at nite

http://static.flickr.com/59/154676830_854adf37f7_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/52/190081836_16fba1d41f_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/111/282284629_0cbe4db32b_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/36/89195301_69aa1c854b_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/119/295867008_12c933e182_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/106/313877797_f59c1e6dc9_b.jpg

source:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=409755&page=2

[PuyoPiyo]

Nice! Wonder how can people swim in the beach with GIANT WHITE SHARk... Or maybe I was wrong..

[Paintballer1708]

Sydney is one of my favorite cities worldwide. Definatly my favorite Australian city.

[M II A II R II K]

Yup. That was definitely sexy.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

San Diego + Seattle = Sydney

[fangorangutang]

Sydney's great.

[muppet]

:drool: fantastic

[skellergroup]

I'd like to see this city someday. Didn't know about the beaches.

[FREKI]

Awesome pics mate!