Sydney Scrap Book: Day Nine

Sunday was spent in the Suburbs of Sydney.. Just like in the Philippines, Sunday is a family day. Went to hear mass at St. Brigid Chapel (i'm kicking myself for not taking a photo of the place!). This is my second time to hear mass here in Australia (first on was at St. Mary's Cathedral) and what i notice is that, they shook hands to say peace be with you (not just bowing their heads like we do here in the Philippines).

After the Mass, on our way back to the Apartment

This is our Street, Arden Street, our home away from home

Hubby and I went to have lunch at his cousin’s place at Plumpton. Going there would take about an hour and a half from our place in Coogee.. via Bus and Train but  due to some unfortunate events, it took us almost 4 hours to get there because there was a fatality at the Lidcombe Rail Station (Depression is everywhere, even in first world). We were at Burwood Station at the time of the accident where the train had to stop until they are cleared to proceed so all passengers had to alight the train and get on a bus going to Strathfield to continue our journey. 

My favorite Station, Central

  
                       

From Strathfield we are again suppose to board another Bus to take us to Parramatta Station. But good thing, one of the ground Marshall at the Strathfield station went to the bus stop and announced that the train is now boarding to leave in 1 minute… my husband and I were like running a marathon just to catch that first train leaving the station. It was actually the same train that we alight from at Burwood. Finally we arrived at Rooty Hill Station where we were picked up by Kuya Benny.

When we got to Plumpton, the food was already served at the dining table (there were veggies, fresh seafood and grilled pork) and I was excited to see RICE!! Yes, for the past 8 days I haven’t had RICE and I haven’t been this glad to see them on the table.. I think I had more servings than hubby did and I was too hungry to take pictures of our food (sorry!) We stayed there until past 5pm and took the train again back to the city, this time Ate Elsa and the fam bam took us to Parramatta Station so we’ll have a shorter train ride.

And since it is my last day, I wanted to take some Bon Bon Chocolates back home.. but since it was already 7pm when we got to George St. where they have a branch at QVB, it was already closed. We took a chance and walked to the Strand near Westfield  to see if that branch is still open… but to no avail :( all i got was a photo op.

Since I still have 2  more items in my Sydney Trip to-do-list  that I haven’t done yet (which is cross the Harbour Bridge -- climbing it is too expensive for me -- and see Luna Park), so Hubby took me there before going back to Coogee.

Known as The Strand Arcade, The Strand' was built in 1891 and was opened in 1892, as the fifth and last of the arcades built in Sydney in the Victorian era. It is the only one remaining in its original form today according to Wikipedia

why do they close so early?

My last glance to my favorite Queen Victoria Building (QVB) before i say goodbye to this beautiful place.

Between those skyscrapers, a Victorian architecture holds its own character

A mixture of Old and New at the central business district of Sydney

waiting for the train to take us to Luna Park

The lights of the buildings at CBD and the Harbour Bridge was a sight to see… Luna Park (which have a scary entrance) had a great view of both Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, After the mandatory photo op at Luna Park and the Bridge, we took the ferry back to Circular Quay and had Hungry Jacks for dinner  while we wait at the Bus Stop for our ride back to Coogee.

Harbour Bridge and CBD at Night

Scary Luna Park

The Sydney Opera House and CBD

 

My last day was filled with unexpected unfortunate events but ended we a majestic sight of lights from Luna Park, Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. This vacation is too short and I vow to come back soon… with my son this time... oh he'd love the open free space of  Sydney's parks : )

xoxo,

S

Sydney Scrap Book : Day Eight

Its a beachy day today! We went to Bondi Beach today...its a weekend and we are expecting lots of people (topless people) on the beach today. But unfortunately for the men who I'm with (Erik and Hubby) there were no topless women.. but half naked men are all over the place so I'm happy and they are not.

Had late lunch at the Bucket List which was highly recommended by Hubby. We ate King Prawns, Fish and Chips (mind you if they say chips it means french fries ,not the crunchy potato chips here in Manila) and BBQ Lamb. It was delish... especially the King Prawns.

Hello Bondi Beach

King Prawn Bucket at Bucket List

After Lunch, we loitered along the beach walk in search of the Sculptures by the Sea which Hubby's officemate recommended we go see since its only available for viewing until Nov. 4th... but to no avail, it was actually at the other end of the beach towards Tamarama Beach. So we headed there, now joined by their other colleagues, Phil and Joy.

in search of the Sculptures by the sea with Hubby's colleagues

The Sculptures by the Sea are additional attraction for the coastal walkers

paper boats

with the view of the pacific ocean

some kind of a dog... or a chair or something. I think its a something.

Have you heard of the Coastal Walk? They say its a must to all visitors of Sydney to do the Coastal Walk. This is a 6-kilometers walk from Bondi Beach to Coogee. It should take about 2-hours from Bondi to Coogee, in a steady pace without too many stops. And I planned to do this...my hubby who had done this

walk before vowed not to do it again... and he had apprehension if i can do it... he says I can't. But hey, I am a Capricorn and I am more determined to do it when others say I can't do it. To prove him wrong. I did it. Alone. Yes, I am stubborn like that. But I glad I did because it was the most fulfilling and amazing walk I have ever made in this entire trip...maybe even my entire life.

with my havaianas on, i'm ready for this!

The coastal walk starts here....

Bondi from afar 

Sculpture by the sea ends at Tamarama Beach

I have arrived at Bronte Beach ... Halfway to go!

I saw a local doing a Tree Pose. Have a balance Life.

To Coogee says the sign: I'm on the right track

The Cemetery

That bench at Clovelly Beach is so inviting.... but sun set is coming.

Sweet. Life. Surprises.

I made my mark. Finally at Coogee Beach after 3 hours of Coastal Walking

Walked through 5 Beaches namely, Bondi Beach, Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach and Coogee Beach, a Cemetery, several Parks and Reserves in 3 hours with more occasional stops for photographs.

So if you plan to visit Sydney... put this in you must do list...but i warn you, its not for the lazy and people who does not love nature..... because they will die of boredom and the next thing you know, they already hopped on a bus at the next stop.

Enjoy the scenic view of Sydney :)

XOXO
S.

Sydney Scrap Book : Day Seven

Today, I woke up early to join Hubby for breakfast at Café 407 which is at the ground floor of their office building. This is so, I won't be late for my pick up point at central station...Ate Elsa and Kuya Benny will be taking me to see the Olympic Park which is a bit far from the city.

We arrived at Hubby's office just past 8am and had a big breakfast with slices of bacon, sausages, 2 eggs, 2 slices of bread some mushrooms and tomatoes and of course a cup of latte... I wasn't bored waiting for 2 hours because of the free WiFi haha.. you know me and free WiFi we have an unspoken attraction :P
And when they arrived I was so excited to go that I just realized that I didn't have my seat belt on until we arrived at the Park. Thank goodness there was no check point or something.. or else Kuya Benny's license could be suspended because of me.

With ate Elsa at the ANZ Stadium, Olympic Park

Hi Mate! one of the workers at the Olympic Park Posed with me at the Olympic Cauldron Sign

 the Olympic Cauldron

names of the athletes are etched on this metal plates

So after taking pictures at the ANZ Stadium, the Olympic Cauldron, we went to the nearby Lake Belvedere and Parks for more photos. Kuya Benny became our photographer and had jump shots with ate Elsa by the fountain.

with Kuya Benny (cloudy day isn't it?)

at Lake Belvedere with Ate Elsa

had to do a jump shot... :) Ate Elsa is so game!

Afterwhich we had lunch at D.F.O. which actually means Direct Factory Outlets where all items are on sale and at factory prices. I resisted  shopping and successfully done so, oh why should they have an Esprit outlet here??! But still my head won over my heart because I didn't buy any.... But ate Elsa did haha!... that's her Esprit shopping bag I'm holding.

no no no.. stop stop stop...i must resist temptation

Not my shopping bag! haha!

We headed to Rooty Hill and bought some meat at their favorite butcher, Jory's Meat Shop which is owned by a Filipino, as requested by hubby since we will be having some steak-party dinner at the apartment later.

Plumpton, is one of the 3 areas where Filipino communities live in Sydney ( the other two are Rooty Hill and Blacktown), This is my last stop for the day at Ate Elsa's home. I took an hour train ride back to the city Central Station and meet with Hubby and Eric carrying 2 kilos of meat. When we arrived at the apartment, Eric took care of the Grill, Hubby marinated the T-Bone Steak with salt and pepper and I prepared the mashed potatoes and the steamed veggies... It was a hearty meal.. and cheaper than dining out :)

Before and Prepping

After .. Bon appetit!

Tomorrow... it beachy day! night kiddos!

xoxo,
S

Sydney Scrap Book : Day Six

Today was shopping day. I was suppose to get off at Hay Street and head to Paddy's Market but again i missed my drop off point and alight at Park street which is like 3 blocks away... and since I'm already at Hyde Park,might as well walk through the park and take some photos...

So i chanced upon some locals playing chess while on lunch break. and saw again my favorite structure here in Sydney, the St. Mary's Cathedral - itching to take another photo of her. Walking towards College Street, saw this tree with purple flowers in bloom... you know me, i go gaga over anything purple.

Chess Anyone?

Locals have their lunch break with the majestic view of St. Mary's Cathedral and the Archibald Fountain

This purple tree is love... it all over the city. Anyone who know's what its called?

The Australian Museum is just across the street so i took some pictures as well as Captain Cook (discovered this Land Down Under), who I bumped into while on my way to the Aznac War Memorial.

The Australia Museum

Meet Capt. James Cook - He discovered the East Coast Australia

The Anzac War Memorial

After several wrong turns... came to Wentworth Ave.. which reminds me of Michael Schofield...but with the help of Google Maps i was able to reach Paddy's Market with my aching calves.... but once i was inside, the pain was again all forgotten. Lets start pasalubong Shopping!

There's also a Schofield ave in NSW :)

Paddy's Market is to Aussie while  Greenhills is to Pinoys

After my completing my shopping checklist, I was now in search for a place to eat... walking and walking... I realized I'm already at Central Station.. still don't know where and what to eat... I found my self walking through Oxford, and finding myself in Surry Hills... I realized I was going in circles and decided to just head down Market Street where I'll be meeting Hubby after work to catch the sun set at Sydney Tower Eye... 

an upscale shopping centre operated by the Westfield Group and located beneath the Sydney Tower

I saw the Tower... it must be close so with the help of (yet again) Google Maps, I found my way to Westfield and had late lunch at... yes... McDonalds because they have free Wifi! Before heading to the Tower, I saw a Bon Bon Fine Chocolates store at the Strand, so I bought some truffles (Marie is the name of the dark Chocolate covered in Cocoa Powder truffles)  for us to enjoy while viewing the sunset.

Miu Miu , Prada and Gucci at the G/F of Westfield Shopping Center

the LV Building at Market Street

Cafes at The Strand

"Marie" of Bon Bon Fine Chocolates enjoying the view

Scared of heights? I shouldn't be, i'm in the safest tower in the world

Someone has truffles in their mouth and its not me!

Lovely Sydney sunset in the background

It was a tiring but fulfilling day... did i mention that the truffles tastes awesome!

XOXO,

S