Sydney was our last stop in Australia. Brisbane for entry (direct flight using Qantas) and Sydney for exit, from Melbourne or Cairns we would have had to have a transfer in Australia. Logistically, NYC (1 stop in LA, no direct flights) to Brisbane, then to Cairns, unto Melbourne and Sydney as our last stop before our visit to LA mad the most sense.

The hotel in Sydney was The Grace Hotel. It was a clean hotel. We asked for a quiet room, so our windows were looking inside the hotel atria. It was clean, the staff was ok. Nothing exceptional. The best part of the hotel was the location. Everything was very close, from the tube, to Sydney Harbor. Free WiFi with every room.

The first day, we walked to Pyrmont bridge and Darling harbor. They have a stationary ship with a restaurant and other attractions. We did not really explore the area, they had bad review for the eateries, so we went back and found GPO Pizza by Wood. They have a traditional wood oven. The pizza was good and we went to eat there the next night.

A great spot to visit is the Chinese Garden of Friendship, we spent half the day there. It’s a Chinese garden in the middle of Sydney and it is very peaceful. They have a shop where you can dress in traditional Chinese “royalty“ clothing, like a princes (or and a queen) or as a Prince (or King). The nice ladies dress you, take pictures, and change your outfit. You can select the color you would like to wear. It costs about $15 Australian dollars per person, which for 2 outfits and a person taking pictures for you is a steal. We walked around the garden, sat for a bit, had some traditional tea in the tea house, and had a very lovely time.

At night we went to Sydney Harbor and took many  pictures of the Sydney Opera house. We lucked out and heard Natalie Imbruglia concert in the open air for free. To sit and look at the artist you pay a sum, for just listening you get it for free!

In the morning we took the train to the Bondi Junction. We stopped by the mall at Chanel. It is a small location and at first I only saw one person working there that was assisting someone else, so I took my time looking around the store. They actually had the brooch that I wanted! It is one of the classic OOV line with pearls. I wanted it as my souvenir from Australia. In the USA the same brooch goes for $350 (with NYC tax 8.875% its $381.06). In Australia its $450 or $341.94 US (tax included), I also got VAT back $29.72US, the total I paid $312.22 US. That is $68.84 in savings from US prices. The VAT refund is the best in Australia, not like the EU/UK system (where you have to take forms, stamp them, mail them and hope that they will get to the destination without incident). In Australia you take your receipt to the VAT office, they look at it and return it on the spot to your card. You get about 9% back from the purchase price. In the store I got served by the manager, she was very nice and polite. While they wrapped up my bag, they offered us drinks, we took water.

Our next stop was the beach! We stopped by to eat at Bondi Road Seafood, which sells raw fish and also has a grill to cook it up, with some seating. The food was good and fresh (we had a white fish with grilled calamari). The beach was more crowded then Brisbane and the water was much colder. The beach was very open, you can visit the pool with the natural sea water or the beach. We went to the beach. It was cold (much harder to get into than Brisbane), but the weather was nice and Sydney also has the great waves. After, we stopped by Moo Gourmet Burgers Bondi Beach, they don’t have the best reviews online, but we would recommend the spot, the food was great and fresh.

The last night in Sydney we went to visit the Sydney Harbor again and listed to Rob Thomas perform. It was very nice looking out at the harbor and listening to a live performance from a musician. We stopped by the McDonalds and it was mediocre, but most other places had closed by then and we were stuck.

As we were driven from our hotel I noticed that they had a much bigger Chanel a few blocks away. Next time I’m in Australia I will have to visit.

Our plane took as away from Australia and to our next stop, LA.

The Land Down Under! Australia Part 1: Brisbane

The Land Down Under! Australia Part 2: Gold Coast

The Land Down Under! Australia Part 3: Cairns

The Land Down Under! Australia Part 4: Melbourne

Part 6: LA

More pictures from the Chinese Garden

 

 

 

 

 

Sydney Opera house is gorgeous at night!