Sydney - Tips on travelling in Aussie

Australia is a lovely place to visit. But it is also a difficult place to get around unless you have locals with you.

So Advice number 1 - It good to have locals, friends studying over there or people who been staying there for sometime. I had Doreen and Janet. As a 'Psychocentrics' or a not so adventurous traveler back then... i felt that it is rather difficult to visit Sydney without locals or simply trying to backpack cause it is rather urbanized.

Well there are many beautiful nature parks and nature wildlife attractions around Sydney ... so do not miss your chance to visit this places.

Advice number 2 - Please visit Blue Mountains, The Zoo, Sydney Aquarium or Royal National Park ( 2nd oldest national park in the world). However once again ... the National parks require a guide or local who is willing to stay over with you. So remember plan before you go!

Sydney is an urban city ... but it has much happenings such as Gay Sydney, The Rocks on Sunday, beaches, national monuments, Open spaces, Sports, Art and Museums. Yes there is a lot to do.

Advice number 3 - please plan where you really want to go... cause there are many many sights to view in Sydney... i think it is also impossible to visit the entire Sydney in 1 short trip ... therefore do make sure what you want to do before you fly in.

Just before I left for Sydney, Doreen told me the weather would be very cold. However what she didn't mention was that it would get colder... well she told me it was 18 - 20 degrees a week before the trip... then i was thinking ... how cold can that be... i sleep in 16 degree air con everyday. well, i was wrong. when I was there it became 8 - 10 degrees ... especially in the winds.

Advice number 4 - please check weather conditions. Because Australia is a total different continent, the climate can be very odd... so please do not underestimate what is expected...

These advice are given based on my personal experiences... they may not be the best but feel free to drop me a message. I will be gladly willing to help you in depth. Or refer you to helpful humans who can give you advice!

Sydney - A Place for Great Food

Food - items or things we consume to give us Energy. Well it can be garnished and flavored to an extend we will say YUMMY! For those who can afford it... please do not cut your budget on food. As someone who treasures his food a lot... you will regret if you hold back on your food budget i tell you.

Some places worth going to eat in Sydney

1. Yam Cha Aka Tim Sum at Dragon Star Seafood Restaurant
i am thankful to the Westerners cause it so happen that the Tim Sum in Sydney is ' Super Size' to fit the stomach of the Westerners! What makes it better is the ingredients use are ultra fresh ... especially the prawns!

Tim Sum So Big They Can Kill!

2. Sydney Fish Market
Ok this is like world renowned. So please i don't have to emphasize... well do take note. Platter for 2 is not 'platter for 2 Asians'. Its for 3 Asians. Too bad i went with Doreen only... therefore we could only eat platter for 2. O yar, Sushi/ raw fish or oysters lovers please be inform to keep your stomach empty for this place!

Crowded with fish lovers
Doreen the owner of a Camry Sportivo

Seafood Madness - Try beating this Oc Dna Hsif

3. Breakfast at Blue Mountains
Waking up for breakfast on a holiday is like the best meal any day. Especially at the Blue Mountains. Yes we woke up late, got a bit hungry but it was all worth it. Only catch is... you need a ride up the mountain and its a bit pricey, i paid 11 Aussie bucks for this. However, it real was good! Too Bad i cannot remember the name of the place.

Wake Up to A Happy Smile!

4. Suburbs Does Not Mean Bad Food
I think the best foods are not necessarily those which are mentioned in guidebooks. Most often locals know where the true gems are hidden. Thanks to my 3 happening host, i manage to dig in at many places within the Suburbs. These include fresh Japanese cuisine which you can never finish, Spanish Tapas with live Spanish tap dancers, Pizza better then those we can find in Singapore, Fried Mars bar by Bondi Beach and Ice Cream that rocks your 'happy level' sky rock.

Krispy Kreme Donuts Rocks

5. Midnight Pie and Pancakes
On the last night of my trip to Australia, i had my best meals ever. I had hot pie and chilli dogs from 'Harry's Cafe de Wheels pie cart' by the harbor in the cold. Then with our full tummies we proceeded to 'Pancakes on the Rocks' for yummy, sinful pancakes... please do not miss out this 2 locations!

well eating places are so famous in Sydney you can never imagine which famous politicians and celebrities have eaten there. If you think Singapore's acolytes at famous eating places are a 'wow' then you need to rethink the idea of 'wow' because the photographs of figures displayed at some of the places mention come from the global stage such as Presidents and royalty...

Midnight Supper Munchers

Well, its not only the food that i will remember but also the company of Merrill, Janet and Doreen. I really felt very happy hanging out with them because its been a long time since you guys left Singapore and i been wanting to have a simple meal together... it took me 6 years to dine with you both again. Thank you for bring me around to eat all the lovely food! I don't think my mind and stomach will ever forget those meals!

Sydney - Home Stay with the Ungs

My trip to Sydney wasn't one of a conventional tourist. I did not visited much of the renowned tourist locations. However i had a 'home stay' with the locals, the Ungs, who of cause were the best host i ever will get in my entire life.

The Ung's New Residence

My days seem to follow the schedule of the Ungs especially Doreen. Most days would be spend by the Harbors (Darling Harbor / Sydney Harbor). I like the feeling of doing nothing but drinking coffee and reading a book while enjoying the breeze.

The trip was also exciting because i got to tour with Janet and Merrill's wedding 'tour' when they went for their wedding photo shoot. Even got to see their new apartment... and learn about the cockroach bombs which are very popular but less seen in Singapore.

Darling Point

Lighthouse on a Hill

The Trip wasn't only about Janet's wedding. It was also about Doreen's graduation. I think graduations are like one of the most fun part of anyone's life. I been to 4 graduations ceremonies but never have i been bored. Doreen look particularly over joyed, well at least i felt she was. Well i enjoyed being their at her graduation, it felt happy to see my god-sister graduate. Haha, since Secondary school, i think she always dislike school but then again... who doesn't?

Merrill, Janet and Doreen - The best Hosts in the World

Sydney - May 2006

Sydney is probably were my touring adventures started. Sadly it is also 1 place which i could not manage to discover well enough. Well to begin with, i was there on a private visit to see Janet before her wedding. Secondly, i was on a strict budget. And worst to it, i was wondering the city by myself which made it rather difficult to travel. Therefore the many limitations to travel deeper into the city.

However, this experience was one of the most enjoyable because i got to spend time with my god-sisters Janet and Doreen. thanks to the 2 lovely people i got free accommodation and not to forget free dinners which i will never forget. Want to thank you both again for being so lovely to me. Its been so long since we met and u treated me so well that i hope i can return to visit you both soon!

Sunset after wedding photo shoot

Sunset of Sydney Bridge and Sydney Opera House from Mrs Macquarie's Chair (the location where 'Matrix Revelations' final scene was filmed)

Welcome note from the editor!

Hello all friends.

Welcome to my alternate blog that focuses on my travels around the world. This blog will include my personal insights on places, tips on where to stay or where to eat. It will also pictures and mini adventures i had along the way.

one may ask...
"Why then do we need read this blog if we have lonely planet?"

the reason is obvious... because most guide books are targeted at western tourist and for 'mass tourist' (refer to Budhalis 2001 and Poon 1990 for definition on mass tourist). Personally i encounter many such incidents when guidebooks seem accurate for the Western tourist but never in the context of the Asian tourist.


therefore... this 'not so lonely planet' guide then is meant for my friends, Singaporeans and Asians to refer to. And yes, i am not leading a personal attack on the flaws of any particular tourist guide books ... their fame has already cemented their credibility.