18 APR 2018: We flew to Sydney Australia, in February, for a two month visit with our children. We heard about a great return price, months ago, so got our agent to book it, and didn’t expect much for the price. Usually we stop and stay a couple of days somewhere to break up the trip.
Check-in at the Qantas counter in Toronto was easy and courteous. Flight was on time, and the hop to Dallas/ Fort Worth went well. Fort Worth sure beats L.A. for a six- hour layover, they even have comfortable lounge chairs to relax in while you wait. If you’re desperate for a shower and a lie-down you can book a “Minute Suites”.
The flight from Fort Worth to Sydney was equally as pleasant, on a A380-800. There was plenty of overhead room, the seats were quite comfortable, and the flight attendants extremely nice. They even apologized for the short delay in bringing out the meal trays explaining that there were 100 or so special meals to bring out first. Both Tom and I had aisle seats where the arms were broken meaning that the lights on mine didn’t work, and the movies didn’t on his. I could have complained but didn’t bother, we just switched – everything else was fine.
The entire service was wonderful!
Smokers be aware that Australia allows only 1 pack of cigarettes into the country, anymore and then you pay duty – and they mean it. Cigarettes in a shop are $32- $36 for a pack of 20. Smokers will have lots of people who say, “We don’t smoke but can we have one?”
They are also very serious about food … don’t bring any!
Sydney airport which is downtown, has had some upgrades since I was here eight years ago, but what hasn’t changed is the long line-ups for foreigners entering the country. It takes time.
Once your clients are here, there are a number of choices of transportation.
We had gone to Australia to celebrate a big birthday with our daughter. Three of her friends came as well. Everybody used a different kind of transport.
J Paul rented an Aston Martin for $600 a day – a special deal he told us. The rental agency will do the same for your clients, and pay a commission to you. Mention my name to them. Frank@UltimateRentals.com.au.
Cairie, Jocelyn, Tom and I took public transit, including using Taxis and Uber. I have always ridden the buses in Sydney – locals complain, but compared to ours they are excellent. Trains are good too. Makes for good people watching
Shopping can be wonderful – or not -just like everywhere else you go.
If your clients need souvenirs like a Didgeridoo, that they will hear played on the Sydney Harbour waterfront, or a cork hat which will guarantee no Sydneysider will come within three metres of them – good prices are to be found at Paddy’s Haymarket at Market City. This huge place is three floors. Prices are much better than at the souvenir shops on Circular Quay.
If your clients are on a cruise and sick of shore excursions, in Sydney, their ship docks just beside Circular Quay, and they can walk to top attractions, or as our daughter Jayne says “ the flash attractions.” The Sydney Opera House just south along the waterfront walk and the Royal Botanic Gardens are right there too. To the north is the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Rocks historic area. To the west, the Museum of Contemporary Art in an Art Deco building is free, and so is the Library of New South Wales with a nice gift shop. All the museums have gift shops to buy something for that special person.
Within a walk is Castlereagh St., where all the high-end shops strut their stuff. The restaurants along Circular Quay are horribly overpriced – just as they are in any tourist site. Our son Russ is a retired chef and he whinges at the quality and the prices at the ones on the Quay. There are wonderful restaurants in Sydney just not there. Your concierge can recommend some good ones.
My favourite thing to do though is to ride the ferries, and see some neighbourhoods. Over the years I’ve ridden them all, and of course taken all the guided tour boats. Yes, there is a Hop-On-Hop off sight- seeing bus, and your clients should get the Oyster bus and ferry pass. The famous Zoo is just a ferry away.
We were only spending a total of two weeks in Sydney, before heading to the South coast.
Every Sydneysider has a favourite spot along the South Coast just like our Muskoka. We have been going to the same one and staying in Airbnb’s for years. We absolutely love it there, and the best part is living local.
Much to my surprise I found groceries about the same price, or less than at home. The nearest big grocery store is about 40 minutes from here. There is a bit of a general store in the village, handy as it is -prices are double and more. Jayne orders her groceries from Coles (yes, it is a huge grocery store, and they come in the next day. Delivery is $9.
Because I didn’t want to keep Merri (our host) waiting when she invited me to town, I took my full buggy to the nearest check-out. Nothing was said till I had unloaded half the groceries. Then the check-out clerk pointed up (under 12 items). I offered to put everything back in the cart, but with a big sigh, the clerk said never mind. I went through the 7-person lineup, and apologized to each one. “Are you from New Zealand?” said one of them.
No, I’m Canadian!” Merri was at the other end of the check-out yelling “Bloody tourists.”-
That seemed to be okay then.
We’ll be home next week, sad, but with lovely memories.