Cities don’t come much better than Sydney. I learned that much during my first visit here and it still holds true six years later. It’s one of the planet’s true world-class cities, if not squarely at the top of the list. It’s perfect climate, superb setting, top flight attractions, thriving cultural and night life, and incredibly friendly populace make it tough to beat elsewhere in the world as a place to visit, as well live.
I’ve now spent nearly four combined months in Sydney during my two trips to Australia over the last six years and I could certainly spend another few years here and never tire of the city. Actually, that’s an idea worth more than just a passing thought and perhaps one day I‘ll see it through to fruition. But, for my last week in Sydney, I decided to settle for just a taste of life as a permanent resident by putting down the camera, backpack, and sightseeing agenda to try to experience life more as a local than a tourist.
The experiment bore more than enough fruit, helped in no small part to the guesthouse I found in the fairly quiet residential neighborhood of Kirribilli directly across the harbor from the Opera House. While just minutes via ferry or train from downtown Sydney, it feels like its eons away from the well-trodden tourist path (which isn’t necessarily a bad path to tread). In Kirribilli I found local restaurants to sample and mixed in with Sydneysiders enjoying a normal night out away from the frenzy of places like Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. I shopped in the local stores, sampled the very tasty and fresh wares from local bakeries and even found myself a deli market to shop from regularly as I might if I lived in the area. One of the daily highlights was riding the ferry to and from downtown Sydney as it left Kirribilli which passes in front of the Opera House, alongside the Harbour Bridge and docks on Circular Quay in downtown Sydney. If you live in Kirribilli and work in Sydney it has to be the world’s best commute.
I’ve now spent nearly four combined months in Sydney during my two trips to Australia over the last six years and I could certainly spend another few years here and never tire of the city. Actually, that’s an idea worth more than just a passing thought and perhaps one day I‘ll see it through to fruition. But, for my last week in Sydney, I decided to settle for just a taste of life as a permanent resident by putting down the camera, backpack, and sightseeing agenda to try to experience life more as a local than a tourist.
The experiment bore more than enough fruit, helped in no small part to the guesthouse I found in the fairly quiet residential neighborhood of Kirribilli directly across the harbor from the Opera House. While just minutes via ferry or train from downtown Sydney, it feels like its eons away from the well-trodden tourist path (which isn’t necessarily a bad path to tread). In Kirribilli I found local restaurants to sample and mixed in with Sydneysiders enjoying a normal night out away from the frenzy of places like Darling Harbour or Circular Quay. I shopped in the local stores, sampled the very tasty and fresh wares from local bakeries and even found myself a deli market to shop from regularly as I might if I lived in the area. One of the daily highlights was riding the ferry to and from downtown Sydney as it left Kirribilli which passes in front of the Opera House, alongside the Harbour Bridge and docks on Circular Quay in downtown Sydney. If you live in Kirribilli and work in Sydney it has to be the world’s best commute.
But, I didn’t restrict my daily jaunts to just Kirribilli. I made my way into Sydney proper and made an effort to steer away from the places I’d been before to find new sections of the city such as Balmain, a yuppie-bohemian style area within shouting distance of downtown, but far enough for the locals to have it almost to themselves. There was also Paddington and Surrey Hills, both with a slew of local shops, restaurants and artist showcases that seem prime to be ‘discovered’ (and they have been to some extent), but quite content to be supported by the local denizens for the time being.
Despite my best efforts, I still couldn’t keep away from some of the typical tourist locations and ultimately I decided it was for good reason. Places like the Botanical Gardens, Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Darling Harbour aren‘t popular without good reason and they are as much a part of an experience in Sydney as the more secluded locals areas. But, my lack of agenda for the week let me just enjoy them as a local might - as a fantastic backdrop to an otherwise normal day living in one of the best cities in the world.
SYDNEY PHOTOS: http://picasaweb.google.com/gscottie/Sydney0607
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