Selling Sydney

Ok, I don't own Sydney - not even one bit of it. However, I am trying to sell Sydney as a travel destination. So, my first client (who is a big fan of Sydney ever since- is my dad) is visiting Sydney in two weeks. I am coming up with different ideas, activities, etc for us to do on weekends and weekdays when the little girl is in school. Here are a few things I have listed so far: (will add on as I go)

Park Feast @ Bella Vista Farm - 25 and 26 February, 2017 
We haven't been to the Park Feast celebration last year, but hoping to make it this time around. They have at least 30 food trucks available to choose from, lots of amusements and stalls. The celebration goes from 11AM to 10PM on both days. Not sure if there are fireworks, but I am guessing there would be! The venue is very pretty with heritage buildings, lots of greens, and some shade too - if it gets too hot!

Shark Island Picnic
One school day, we might go to Shark Island for a little picnic. I have been there only once and have enjoyed it so much. It is very easy to go around the island in about half an hour. The harbour view is super and surely with dad and the little one, it will be a nice day out. Hopefully on a good sunny day!

Photo from Google

Rozelle Market

The market is only open on weekends..... But I just read now that they have terminated operation at the Rozelle usual spot!!! So I am now on the hunt for another market we can go to on the weekend!!!

Sad :( Mom really loved Rozelle Market - and dad too!

Photo from Timeout.com.au

Sydney Fish Market

My parents love seafood and love visiting the Fish Market. So, almost each time they visit Sydney - we head to the exciting Sydney Fish Market for lunch, together with the seagulls, and many other tourists. This is a must visit for us in two weeks!

To cruise, or not to cruise

Ever since I can remember, I've been wanting to sail on the Voyager of the Seas!! They've got the Dreamworks experience - for the little girl and the big boy! When I went on the Radiance of the Seas cruise inspection (docked at Circular Quay) late last year we were told that the Voyager would be in Sydney for a season starting this November 2012.

"Radiance of the Seas" docked at Circular Quay

There is an overnight cruise Sampler on the 23rd of November and I am thinking whether we should splurge and go on it. Or, not! Especially since we are looking at heading back to Manila soon, we might be better of just keeping the moolah and spending it more wisely elsewhere. Having said that though, I am so very tempted!! I guess if there is a good travel agent rate then I won't resist!

Creating circles

We all have our own circle of friends. Some we just fell into as we grew up.. We lived across the street from them, or we met them at school or at work. Some we've met through common friends, cousins, siblings, etc. Some of them we ended up being best friends with, or have dated once or twice..

But as we grow older, there are some circles we draw ourselves. We have a choice now. We don't just fall into these circle by accident, or because of our family. Living overseas makes it a challenge to build long lasting circles of friendships. However, when we do find that circle where we belong it forms our support group.

I find that I have always been the type of person who creates lots of circles. Admittedly, I don't always engage myself fully in each of them. Some circles are purely for circles sake. Some circles I have to maintain now, not just for me, but for my little one. The circles I put her in forms part of her. Without having cousins or siblings around, I endeavour to make her have meaningful circles. Relationships. Yes, those circles form our relationships. Only if we let them close enough to reach that level.

Photo from http://www.wallpaperhere.com/Nature/Other/Water_Drops_Circle_of_Life_72793

I am grateful for all my friendships especially those that have been through it all with me.

October is Crave Sydney month!

Hubby, and I and a few other friends are hoping to get a spot at the Breakfast on the Bridge morning! Only 6,000 people will get tickets, and they are drawn randomly, so we are crossing our fingers that we secure tickets!! It is the first time this event is organised and it is one cool idea if I may say so.

The whole month of October ushers in a range of festivities and events around the city. Noodle nights, markets, art events, etc... So many activities to choose from. Hopefully I still have enough energy by then to be able to go around town!

Crave Sydney!

My Sleepy wharf

I don't think I've shared this photo (not the most flattering) of my suburb's wharf area. When hubby and I were new to this neighbourhood, we excitedly had a picnic one weekend. Walking distance from our picnic area was a newsagency, a mini grocery, bottle-o, fastfood shoppe, a massive footy field. Haven't been back here for a while. If only I can bring back the summer weather!

Street Performing and Street Art

I have been a semi-frustrated performer almost all my life. Sure, I have had my fair share of ballet and piano recitals, school plays, speeches and other things which escape my mind at the moment. But what I really haven’t tried is to perform in the streets. In a lot of western cities, begging comes in a lot of forms. Whether they are art camouflaged or magic tricks to entertain. I have seen in the streets: a contortionist, man eating fire, man on a bike on a tight rope, magician playing tricks, a mime dressed in silver paint, chalk artist on the pavement, musicians wearing their didgiredoos and a bit of cloth, singing acrobats, young violinist, ball juggler, man making music with glass beer bottles, etc etc etc.

I am sure each of us have seen them at least once. I say they are all on a league of their own with their performances. Whether it is a silent act, or a scene stealer. I have a sense of respect for them who have guts, courage and (sometimes) unique talent.

These travellers, backpackers, locals, or whoever they are and wherever they come from, they form part of the street scene which makes walking down the street a bit more interesting. They can be a nuisance to some, but really it is your choice whether you want to stop and see them do their thing. Whatever their reason is for doing this, does not really matter (much).

Send someone a handwritten letter

If there was only one person you could mail a letter to at this point in your life, who would it be? And why?

There are so many people that we would love to get in touch with again. If only we took the time to write them a handwritten heartfelt letter. Instead of typing away a cold email. But then again, do people still appreciate handwritten letters? I know I still do.

P & O Earlybird Cruise Offer

Okay, for a good hour I got all excited about thinking of going on a cruise. Neither me nor hubby's been on a weekend overnight cruise. P & O Cruise has this earlybird offer, wherein we could do 2 nights Sydney - Brisbane or Vice versa, for about AUD 565 per person, for a 2 night cruise in a Room with Private Balcony, on the Pacific Dawn. This rate includes all meals (a la carte or buffet), and afternoon tea, access to various entertainment and activities.

I opted for this coz the price is reasonably cheap, all inclusive, and the fact that it was just for 2 nights would give us a feel of how cruising is like. For all we know we won't like it. So this won't be too bad, if ever. However, when I had a look at the itinerary, the cruise departed from Brisbane at 8PM on Day 1, and arrived into Sydney on Day 3 at 8AM. That's a bit of a rip off, as it would mean the time we board, settle into our cabin it would be night time! So we won't see the view much. And, we'll only have one full day to appreciate the sights before we arrive after sunrise into Sydney Harbour. Well, come to think of it, seeing Sydney at sunrise or early morning would be quite nice. And, a full day to travel the north NSW coast may be good enough.

Of course am planning on my own again and for all we know hubby won't like this idea. We've talked about it before, but not seriously.

Oh, I remembered I get my travel agent rate, so we won't really be paying the published rate!!! Hmm! I suddenly got excited again! I have til September to think about this. I might ring them up tomorrow to check availability and all. Should you be interested to see what I am talking about, click here to see more information!

P.S. I neeeed this for my job! To make me a better travel agent! Think so?!

Moving out of home

Do you remember the time when you moved out of your parents’ house? I do. I actually moved out when I moved to Sydney. Initially I lived with a family who has been friends with my family ever since I can remember. When I moved in with that family friend, I had no say whatsoever in my bedroom furniture, or what I can or can’t do within the confines of my own space. It was all right though. I had a neat room with light or pastel yellow colored walls, big closet, my own computer table and computer, a bedside drawer, and a lamp. It was quite basic, but I appreciate them taking me into their home. It was a huge house with a swimming pool and a big garden, as well as two living rooms, a TV room, a prayer room and an office. Their home office furniture were nice and big. The office had it’s own receiving area with big fluffy cushion couches. My friends and classmates who would visit me says I live in a mansion! That was all before I moved to my humble home now. All on my own, I decide on what furniture to buy, in what color and in what style. My current space is a one bedroom which measures only about 50 square metres. It is quite big for one person, but I find myself always needing more space to chuck my things in. I guess all girls should have one room or closet dedicated to fit trinkets, clothes and other girl item essentials. It would be really nice if I could get storage beds that would have some nook and cranny filled in with more of my stuff!

What's the use of scopes

I’ve always wanted to visit the Sydney Observatory, and so when my family was around, and I was looking for activities for us to do, I decided to take them to the planetarium. We went at night, and saw a lot of cool telescopic gadgets to look through and see the world beyond earth. Imagine looking through this magnificent set of lenses and glasses, and seeing bursts of light that are hundreds and thousands of light years away! It was amazing. I would recommend this to anyone who visits Sydney. Or perhaps any city you visit that has a planetarium would be quite an experience. The telescopes used are similar to Riflescopes in a way that they project quite a distance from where you are. However, the telescopes at the Observatory were far advanced in terms of technology; the tactical telescopes are nonetheless amazing as well. Imagine seeing through that lens your opponent in a jungle setting. I remember the time when we went and played laser skirmish at Gosford with my siblings. We were able to have a taste of what these tactical gears had to offer!

What's your thoughts on Camping?

Every been on a camping trip? My family and I were meant to go camping while they are here on vacation. I was actually already looking at campsites, and have found Glenworth Valley to be quite a good one. With activities such as: kayaking, abseiling, horsebackriding, quad bike tours, bushwalking, and even laser skirmish!
As much as I am a girly girl, I have recently been wanting to try to camp outdoors one day. I am probably not ready for the full on camping with no highway in sight or even no toilet within walking distance. I would love to experience though sleeping under the stars, hearing the cricket sounds to lull me to sleep, and wake up with sunshine streaking through the tent window. I am not prepared to see spiders and snakes though and everyone knows that Australia is spider country (and snakes too!)So, Glenworth Valley would've been perfect. If only the people I was going with were game about it. But they're not! So, we have opt to stay at a motel in the closest town, Gosford, and just head to Glenworth Valley for the day! That will do for now! We are planning to do the skirmish, quad bike and possibly kayak and bushwalk! I am quite excited. I've never done skirmish before and I haven't been to any of the places above.

This is what Glenworth Valley's aerial view looks like:

Saturday Picnic at Bradfield Park

Just wanted to share this photo I took from last Saturday's. Should you want to read my entire post, please click here.

I went to the beach on Sunday but I was not able to take any photo....... :( Next time!