Sunday in Sydney

Sunday in Sydney was a pretty rough one. I slept for about three hours after the previous night out and woke in a panic because I had not heard from my mate, Simon who had arrived into Sydney that morning around 6 am. Michael and Jason were feeling it too, but Jason had to run off to work on the theater production he was directing. I caught up on some emails and loaded my pictures on facebook (for mama) and drifted in and out of sleep, waiting to hear from Simon via phone, text, or email. As the hours passed, I assumed he landed, went to his hotel and crashed after the 15 hour flight from LA.

Around 4pm, Jason got back home, and since I had still not connected with Simon, Jason and I wandered off to do a little sightseeing. Jason took me to another part of Sydney across the Bay from the Opera House to an area called Luna Park – a kind of permanent carnival ride area just on the side of the bay near the Sydney Bridge. We strolled around, taking in the beautiful sights and the cheerful screams of children enjoying themselves on the rides and carnival games. Nearby, I spotted another Olympic sized outdoor swimming pool – one of many I had been noticing around the city. Years ago, a fire broke through some of the enclosed rides, taking the lives of a number of innocent children. The tragedy prompted a complete overhaul of the amusement park, and now the rides are not enclosed.

Simon rang me while Jason served as the ultimate tourist guide and we arranged that I would meet him at the Westin later that night. Hungry, and now knowing the plan with Simon, Jason and I returned home to pick up Michael. We headed to an area that used to be (and still somewhat is) the red light district since the boys wanted me to see another side of the city. We walked around, still seeing remnants of what was the area for bars and prostitution for navy guys and tourists as well as perhaps some randy locals. After the quick tour, we turned back and headed to a nearby area for dinner at a trendy Thai restaurant called Spice I Am on Victoria Street in Darlinghurt. We opted to eat al fresco – so that I could people watch and enjoy the fresh night Spring air. The menu shocked me – basic Thai dishes here ranged from $25-42! Back home in LA, Four could dine pretty well at any of our Thai establishments for the price of one entrée. I noticed, but didn’t really think anything ab out it until Michael and Jason commented that it was a bit pricey. I was still getting used to paying two to three times more for everything here, so it was nice to hear that even the locals get sticker shock sometimes. When the food arrived, I realized that part of the price certainly went to off-set he cost of the amazing preparation and presentation of their dishes – aroma, color and placement, and clean white unusual dish shapes combined to please the senses. We devoured the delectable food and rehashed the events of the night before for Michael, who had left us before the club adventure.

Behind us at the restaurant, we witnessed dozens of Aussies dash in and out of a local frozen yogurt shop (for US based readers, think Pinkberry). Jason urged us to visit there as well as his sweet-tooth was pulling him over. Inside, I initiated a conversation with the extremely handsome cashier, who turned out to be an American who actually owned/started the business. He started the place a few years ago after he moved to Sydney, I believe after marrying an Australian woman. The treat was Divine and the nice cap to a lazy Sunday with my Australian hosts.
Around 10 pm, after making arrangements with Jason to meet in the morning for a day at Manly Beach, they dropped me at the Westin to join Simon. The Westin Sydney occupies what used to serve as the Main Sydney Post Office – a large, historic space that has been mostly saved, serving as their check-in, bar lounge, and atrium areas. I found Simon’s room and knocked, and moments later Simon dressed in his PJs let me inside the modernly appointed room. We chit-chatted for a bit, exchanging updates and stories, then crashed. Simon was headed to the Blue Mountains for a day-long tour in the morning and I to Manly, so we opted for a low-key night in the room – meaning, the two over forty yanks hit the bed for some sleep.