Posts Tagged ‘Sydney’

20. Fart in a crowded space

Another item crossed off my 25 by 25 list – in David Jones at the Boxing Day Sales in Sydney.

Image Credit

I want to be in Sydney already.

It probably doesn’t help that I’ve been browsing rental properties, as well as those for sale *sheepish* Nick and I can’t wait until we have a place of our own, where we are free to paint the walls as we see fit *giggle* I can’t wait to whack a deposit down on an apartment, and have a place to call home. When did I reach the point where having a mortgage excites me?

xoxo

Our last morning in Sydney. We were up and in the spa at Turbines before 7am. It wasn’t nearly as hot as when we first tried it back at Easter, but it was relaxing and a great way to wake up all the same. After a delicious breakfast at Astral on the 17th floor, Nick and I headed into the City to catch the train out to Bondi.

A trip to Sydney wouldn’t be the same without stopping in at the Foot Haven in Bondi Westfield for our 40 minute reflexology foot massage, and as it was still early they were able to fit us in straight away. After quick browse through David Jones, we were catching a bus down to Bondi Beach… We were meeting up with a wedding consultant at the Swiss Grand Resort!

Sara was lovely. She showed us some amazing photographs, and answered all of our questions with confidence. We liked! But at the same time we didn’t want to appear “too” keen… although it was hard not to! We booked the rooftop overlooking Bondi Beach for our ceremony, and the Bellevue Terrace for the reception. November 7th 2009. It all seems so real now!

After a little shopping in the Pitt St Mall, another spa at Turbines, and a quick shower, it was time to pack up (which didn’t take long!), and head back to the airport *sniff* I’m always sad to leave Sydney.

Unfortunately, even best laid plans don’t always go the way we’d hoped… We were due to depart at 1940 and arrive back in Darwin by 2230 – meaning that we’d get enough sleep to be able to function at work the next day. However, the Sydney skies had other plans! The weather was miserable (which is strangely when I’m at my happiest), and was preventing incoming and outbound flights. We were delayed for almost two hours, but QANTAS were very good at keeping everybody informed. I really felt for the flight attendants, they looked so frustrated.

Soon enough we were on the plane, and on our way home. Another uneventful flight (just the way I like them), and just as I’d predicted, the humidity on arrival sucked the breath right out of both Nick and I. We were home. My birthday weekend was over.

xoxo

After finally drifting off at some ungodly hour Saturday night/Sunday morning (as sleep and I aren’t getting along of late), the alarm went off at 5am for our road trip out to Newcastle!

It wouldn’t run with the theme if the navigator didn’t have us driving around in circles, and true to form, we drove around Chatswood for a good half an hour before deciding to defy the instructions to turn left, and continued straight instead! It wasn’t long before we were well and truly on our way!

I wish I’d thought to have my camera out, because there were some truly amazing photo opportunities along the way! I will definitely have to remember for next time! The drive out was pleasant, and after a stop in at the McCafe for coffee, we were all feeling more awake!

First stop was at my Aunt’s house to catch up with her and the family! … I can’t believe how much Tully and Zac have grown in just six short months! They’re really shooting up now, and the things that they come out with! Zac is really speaking now, and Tully’s vocab blew me away! What kind of four year old comes out with words like “enchantress”?! *giggle* It was so good to see them all again, and Belinda even made blueberry muffins! I haven’t had a muffin in forever – it was so good!

Unfortunately it was a bit of a drizzly day, so we couldn’t spend the morning at the beach, but they did give us a bit of a tour of one of the beaches, and showed us the kids bathing pool. After getting stuck under an awning when the rain really started to come down, it was time to go again…. The drove in front of us for a little way, so that we knew we were on the right road, and after a few hugs it was time to say goodbye! I look forward to moving down to Sydney so that I can see them more regularly, that’s for sure.

We drove out to The Bay to catch up with Gina, Craig, Georji, and their newest addition – Griffin! It was really good to see them again, and to meet little Griff! In usual Georji style, she went shy for a little while, before fairly coming out of her shell, and showing me a lot of her artwork. I can’t believe she’s only three! She’s grown so much since I last saw her, and she’s more talkative than ever! And what does she want to be when she grows up? A Queen!

After lunch and a good catch up with everyone, they showed us around a little, before we went down to the RSL to sit and chat some more. Some RSL! It looked like something the Hyatt would own! It’s undergoing some renovations at the moment, and it’s probably one of the most upmarket RSL’s that I have ever seen. I was fairly blown away!

Before I knew it, it was getting late, and we had to leave to drive Kate back into Sydney to catch her plane back to Melbourne. Words really can’t explain how great it was to see everyone again. I miss them all so much. And every time I visit, I can’t get over how much the kids have all grown. I can’t wait to live closer!

The drive back to Sydney wasn’t as stressful as I was worried it might have been, but it was certainly busier than the drive out. My back was really starting to hurt, but after a stop in at the Caltex on the way back for some dinner, I was ready to go. We managed to get Kate to the airport on time, and returned the hire car without a hitch! A quick taxi ride back to Star City, and I was more than ready for bed…

xoxo

After much primping and preening, and being taken in all sorts of directions by our navigator (you’d think we’d learn!), Kate, Robyn, Tanya and I arrived at the Acer Arena. We were there for Hilary Duff.

While munching down on cheeseburgers and hotdogs, we agreed that one girl in particular really needed to add some material to her dress. You could almost see what she had for breakfast *shrug* Minutes later, we heard girls running and screaming, and that was our cue to take our seats…. The girl we’d called a “skank alert” on? It was Ricki-Lee! From Australian Idol! Oops!

I’ve never much been into Ricki-Lee, but she was pretty good live! She was charismatic, and her voice was much stronger than on any CD. She really wowed the crowd! If I were her, I would have wanted to strangle my costume manager though – while having a short dress really isn’t so bad (and it was a very nice dress), it probably wasn’t the best choice for somebody as busty as Ricki-Lee! There were several occasions where she almost “spilled” over *shock* The poor woman was trying to discreetly hitch up her dress, which must have been hard to do with 50,000 or so eyes (well 100,000 when you consider we’ve got two, ha!) on her!

Hilary Duff was AMAZING. A million times better than what I was expecting. I get the feeling that she’s really trying to move away from the preconceived image that many have of her. She and her dancers were scantily clad, the dance moves were rather risqué, and while she played some old favourites, there was a strong dance feel to her new album. The light show was phenomenal, and the crowd was so… intense. Who would have thought a bunch of six year olds could make that much noise?! Even Hilary Duff seemed blown away by the intensity of it all. There were a few noticeable grimaces as she held her ear-piece when the crowd lost all control, and she seemed absolutely speechless! It was nice to hear her thank Australia for all our support with both her movies and her music though… and gosh is she a pretty young thing! Despite all the headlines of her being “too thin” and “anorexic”, she looked perfect. She was healthy, toned, and absolutely beaming. Almost makes you wonder how much truth (and how much photoshopping) there is in those tabloids (ha! – isn’t that just an oxymoron…)!

Friday night, and Nick and I were packed and ready to fly to Sydney. Those who know me, wouldn’t believe it, but I managed to pack everything I needed into one small, carry-on suitcase *falls over* I know!! This is the person who came home from the United States with three extra-large, overweight suitcases! So after checking in online, it meant that Nick and I didn’t have to wait in any long lines, and could proceed straight through security, and upstairs to our gate! Fabulous, darling!

The flight down was uneventful, and the staff didn’t even disturb us to find out if we wanted to eat (which we didn’t) – got to love QANTAS! The landing was smooth, and with only our carry-on luggage, we didn’t need to wait downstairs with everyone else, and could instead head straight over to Hertz… That’s right – Hertz! I was braving the Sydney roads. Something I thought I’d never do after my first driving experience in Sydney!

Once the navigator, that we’d also hired, started working, the drive through Sydney was fine. It was a bit of a rush, actually! We found our way to the hotel that Kate had stayed at in Pyrmont, picked her up, and drove on over to Star City to check-in and leave our luggage.

Our room wasn’t quite ready, but that was okay – Kate and I had to walk down to Circular Quay to catch a bus into Paddington to catch up with Kristen! Gosh it was good to see her… She has this amazing pregnant body – and she’s absolutely glowing. Aside from her preggy belly (which is just gorgeous), she’s as straight up and down as I’ve always known her! Even if she doesn’t see it (*hugs*) I can only hope I look as good as her when I eventually have a bun in my over!

Breakfast at Café Escobar was lovely, but the company of Kate and Krissy was even better… I only wish that Annik had been there! Next time! After breakfast we strolled around the Paddington Markets, where I picked up a couple of things for G & C’s new baby, Griff, and then Kris dropped both Kate and I back in the City… Thanks, Princess!!

Some more shopping in Myer and DJ’s, for presents for G & C’s eldest, Georji, as well as my cousins Tully & Zac, and then Kate and I headed back to Star City to pick up the car…. Where was Nick during all this gallivanting around, you ask? He had arranged to meet up with his friend Mick, and had left us girls to enjoy some “girl time”!

Kate and successfully found our way from the Casino to Bondi Beach, despite the navigator telling us to go in a completely different direction (!!) After a browse and some lunch, we were back in the car to head back to Star City for a spa! … It took us a little longer than we had planned though, with the navigator constantly turning us to do U-turns, effectively leading us round and round in circles!

If anyone has ever seen the episode of the Simple Life, where Paris and Nicole are driving around and around, trying to get over to an exit that they can see but can’t get to – this was us in Bondi on Saturday. It was rather hilarious actually. After we eventually defied the instructions of the clearly dysfunctional navigator, we managed to find our own way back to the hotel!

The spa was fabulous! As was the afternoon nap that we had afterwards, in preparation for our concert that night…
xoxo

Not only did Nick and I enjoy a 40 minute reflexology foot massage (from our regular place) in Bondi Westfield, pick up a number of bargains at the sales (including a $320 Sachi bag reduced to $69, a Morrissey dress for $99, and Marcs and Cooper St dresses at crazily reduced prices), but we got to see Tina Arena. In concert. At the Sydney Opera House.

For those who don’t know me particularly well, I have been a fan of Tina Arena since I was a little girl. I asked for her CD’s for Xmas. She was my idol. She was beautiful, made brilliant film clips, and I loved her music.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, seeing her more than a decade later, but she didn’t disappoint. In fact, if it’s possible, I think I idolise her *more* now, than I ever did as a child.

She was self-deprecating, funny, honest, and… well.. she was a dag. She danced like a “Mum”, and as someone who also dances like a “mum” (except I don’t have that excuse just yet…), I couldn’t help but admire this particular trait. And for someone who is in her fourth decade, she’s plenty hot.

And she knew how to entertain.

The crowd loved her.

We’re talking standing ovation.

I cried.

And y’know, I think she did too *smile*

She was just as beautiful as I remembered, and I hung onto her every word. Australia should be so proud to call her one of our own.

I heart you, Tina!

http://www.tinaarena.com/

xoxo

I. Love. Sydney.

After finally travelling a *little*, I can say that Sydney is my favourite place in the w.o.r.l.d. Sure, I still have a *lot* of travelling to do, but I’ll always know where my “home” is. I was so glad to be back.

We hit the ground running, dumped our luggage at Star City, and walked into the City. Or “downtown Sydney” as the moron United Flight Attendant liked to call it. Pffft.

Not really in a shopping mood, after spending an obscene amount of money on Dior shoes, I made an executive decision to see a movie. And as somebody who was tired, Nick was more than happy to agree! “P.S. I Love You”, in Gold Class on George St *grin* It was fabulous. Review to come.

That night we decided to see Natalie Gauchi and Matt Corby (the Australian Idol winner and runner up), as they were playing at Star City. It was convenient and not far from our hotel room, and I was on a high from our trip – I couldn’t just go to bed *gasp* Between you and I, I just really wanted to see Matt Corby in concert *wink* Nick won’t go down without a fight, but I can bet he did too *giggle*

Natalie Gauchi wasn’t so bad either!

xoxo