Thoughts on Sydney

Sydney has been great. Today, we actually went to the opening of Resfest2005 in Newtown with a showing of shorts by the Swedish group Traktor - it was funny, but most were commercials.
As this trip to Sydney comes nearly to a close, I wanted to list things I will miss:
1. "No Worries" the reassuring words every Australian says to you
2. the handy look left and right indicators for the idiot tourists who don't get the left side of the road action.
3. boobies (see previous post)
4. meat pies, fish & chips - next time i come back i will look for kangaroo steak and emu tartare
5. seeing the opera house every day - it's an amazing piece of architecture
6. Bondi Beach (not just cause of boobies)
7. 7 Eleven done right - they are like the Japanese and HK counterparts.
8. crazy ass money - i like the see through plastic parts
9. liberal thinking- went to the chemists today and talked to the guy there about how they can freely give the morning after pill without a prescription- sensible family planning.
10. spending time with friends from high school (awwww - barfy)

My Last Bag of Chips in Sydney

My favorite so far- much better than the chicken (awful) and not as chafing to the palate like the burger rings.

Great Lunch at Pier in Rose Bay, Sydney

Ok, for those of you who know my foodie side, this is the post. We had lunch at Pier, a pleasant place in Rose Bay in Sydney. The view was spectacular.

In Australia, the entree is the appetizer. Kinda makes sense as that is the literal meaning in French. We decided to eat only entrees for lunch. Started with scallops cooked medium rare- perfect- with pork belly.

Up next, a kingfish carpaccio with foie gras - amazing - two great tastes that taste great together.

Following, a yummy baby beetroot salad with chevre on a tortilla.

Keith had the pain perdu with kumquats and sorbet & custard - really amazing.

I had the apricot souffle - the thing melted when it hit your mouth. Drool.

Get on the Train

The Sushi Train!!! - I love the smoke.

Bondi Beach and Boobies

Went to the famous Bondi Beach today - the weather was amazing, finally a clear day with no rainstorms. The beach is still a little slow because it is only late spring here, but the surfers were out. My sad revelation was that the Bondi level in Tony Hawk's Video Game was similar to the real Bondi - I am a frakin' nerd again. For those of you offended by nudity, but how can you resist the post. . .

Herbed Chicken Flavoured Crisps!

Our Pretentious Afternoon in Sydney

Went to the Museum of Contemporary Art and saw this exhibit by the artist Erwin Wurm, an Austrian. The "Fat Convertible" drew us in initially, and he also had several "interactive" sculptures we messed around with. Museum was so-so, but free.

Faces coming out of holes (Taronga Zoo)

Pubbing in Sydney

So we met up with the newlyweds at the Lord Nelson Pub in the Rocks district - great times - Keef and Matt ate Pork Pies with chutney & mustard accompanied by a boiled egg, Cynthia and I shared a fish & chips. The beer was nice and hoppy. Matt's mum was with us for a bit as well.

Sydney Street Signs

bills' Eggs and coffee musings

This morning, we went to bills in Darlinghurst for what was purported to be the best darn scrambled eggs in Sydney- a bit overstated, but they were very delicious. Keef had the corn fritters. Figured out there that I liked my coffee "long black" (not a porn)- comparable to a strong Americano Keef ststed. The waitress was beautiful.

Burger Rings

Burger Rings are better than Funyons.

Ewww, Bats

There is a colony of flying foxes in the Royal Botanical Garden in Sydney.

Sydney Opera House is Cool! (even the bathroom)

Guy with the Worst Job in Sydney

"Hear Ye, hear ye, announcing the opening of the new Cafe Bella. It has ye olde sandwiches and salads as well as ye refreshing beverages. (kill me because dumb tourists are taking pictures of me in this ridiculous getup)"

Sydney Harbour Bridge views

After breakfast, we followed the old Fodors Australia 2006 walking tour up the Rocks district to the Sydney Harbour Bridge - the views of the Sydney Opera House were amazing. The forecast was showers all day, and initially it looked like it was going to downpour all day. That is, until Keith peed at the Sydney Observatory and the clouds were peed away.

Aussie Breakfast

Eggs, bacon, hash browns, grilled tomato, coffee long black (awesome).

Wangbrand

Manly Ferry

First night in Sydney

Had a pleasant flight on Qantas from LA - I was lucky to get a whole side row to myself. Watched Dark Water (crap), Valiant (crap), and Wedding Crashers on the individual entertainment system and ate salmon and chicken curry (yum) on board. I arrived in Sydney at 11pm. Immigration was no sweat - the passport guy seemed really nice- he said, "Cheers mate" when we were done.
When I got to the hotel, I roused a sleeping Keith, and we walked up George St., the main drag, where we were checking out the drunk and pretty before we got to a late night place, Pancakes. I had the chocolate pancake with oranges and Grand Marnier - they make them a little drier than in the US, but it was tasty nonetheless. Also, had a side of English style bacon- really yummy and greasy.
We then checked out the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge ( the little things flying are the flying foxes!).