Before we left Toronto, our friend Cameron said he would be going to Sydney in September for work. We thought he presented a wonderful opportunity to get over east and visit him, as well as Glen’s dad and sister, who live over here. We booked our flights soon after getting back to Perth and took the early flight at 5:30am on Friday 4 September. While we weren’t overly happy about this at 4:30am on Friday morning, getting to Sydney with most of the day still to spare was pretty good.
Glen’s dad and stepmother met us at the airport, at which point I said hello and goodbye and they went off to lunch, while I met up with Leisl and we went into the city for a meeting with a sponsor of the not-for-profit that I’m involved with. The meeting went for about two hours, and was productive. I was a bit wiped out by the end of it but nevertheless continued on.
I bid farewell to Leisl at half three and then I walked down to Cam’s hotel to meet him. It was a bit bizarre to see him all the way over this side of the world, yet at the same time felt completely natural. Perhaps because it hadn’t been that long since we’d seen him last, or maybe it’s just the brain adapts quickly and you move on with what’s presented to you. Either way it was great to see him.
We caught the bus (yay for the Opal card) down to Bondi Junction where Glen and I were staying at Anna’s place. Incredibly convenient location as it’s not in the hustle and bustle of downtown but still well connected. Glen had had a nap and done the washing, after having lunch with his family. We hung out for a little while before getting ready to go to dinner at China Lane in the city.
Glen and I had been there before, liked the food, and were able to get a table. We had a great Italian waiter who was only too eager to ply us with drinks. The food was excellent too, though we probably should have ordered a smaller portion of pork belly as the one that came out would have easily served four, yet I don’t eat pork, so it had to be demolished by two. The boys did well and only a few pieces were left.
After dinner we walked down to Circular Quay, had a sticky beak around the Opera House and then headed up to Oxford St for a walk around and another couple of drinks. We settled on Stonewall (just after the cops had sorts out some violence), had a drink, sat for a bit, and then went for a hot chocolate from Copa Cubana (which was actually really good). We didn’t stay out too late and before long were on the bus heading home, ready for sleep.
Saturday
I woke up on Saturday feeling like I was on holiday. We didn’t have any pressing plans, our booking for 11 people at yum cha not taking place until 11:30. We lounged in bed for a while (waking up at our usual Perth time so it wasn’t really a lie-in) before getting ready, and getting morning beverages and a little nibble from The Cook and Baker. The place was busy with locals after their lattes and cakes and croissants. The almond croissant Glen bought (which I had a bite of) was massive and incredibly heavy. We only got through half of it.
We caught the train to Central and then walked to Market City, giving directions to an American family who were looking for the harbour. I hope they made it there in the end. Yum cha was at The Eight and was a relatively big gathering. There was Glen and I, then Paul and Ella, Miranda, Henry and Andrew, and then our friends, Cam, Neha, Julian and Andre. Serving after serving appeared on the table. We had lots of good chats with people, but as is usually the way, it all ended too quickly and we were leaving. Still, it was great to catch up with friends and family.
From there, we went with Cam to meet his friend Andrew who lives in Melbourne but is from New Brunswick. We met at Town Hall, waiting in the park for a while, watching a fight amongst a couple of people living there. Cam was wary of the ibis wandering around, what with the PR for Australia’s wildlife being what it is.
It took us a while to find Andrew as Central is so big but we eventually met up, then got on another train and headed for Circular Quay. The opera house was heaving with people, probably more that usual because the Festival of Dangerous Ideas was on. We couldn’t find a place to have a drink so we went walking, heading vaguely in the direction of The Rocks. We finally settled on The Argyle, which had comfy sofas and jugs of Pimms. We talked a lot then finally tiredness got the better of us and Glen and I voted to head home for a nap.
A short couple of train rides later we were back at Anna’s and laying down in bed. I think we napped, but not for long. Then the messages began to fly about what to do for dinner. This is always fraught as hunger makes things harder. Eventually Cam made an executive decision and chose a Thai place on Oxford St that had excellent reviews. We were just grateful that a place had been chosen.
We were lucky to get a table, with Glen and I arriving just before Cam and Andrew and grabbing a table before it got even busier. Andrew went and got the wine. We ordered the food. Food came. We ate and drink. We had a couple of tofu dishes, a couple of chicken curries and a salt and pepper barramundi. The meal was really tasty and the restaurant a good find. Being rather full we declined dessert.
Next stop was the Colombian for a drink and then to Palms with its ‘retro’ (but occasionally fabulous) music. We drank. We danced. We left before midnight. We said our farewells to Cam who’s on his way to Japan on Monday.
Sunday
We didn’t have any plans other than seeing Glen’s dad and stepmum on Sunday, especially what with it being Father’s Day here. They arrived a bit earlier than expected so a lie-in past 9:30 wasn’t possible. But that was fine. It got us moving. We showered, they arrived then went for coffee, and we packed, then went on our way.
We went to Barangaroo, the new ‘urban renewal project’ on the harbour which opened that day. Having just watched the third season of Rake, Glen and I couldn’t help but draw comparisons between Barangaroo and the casino development by the fictional Tikki Wendon. Add to that the satirical Utopia and it was a bit like walking through an intertextual landscape. The parklands are nice, if a bit manicured. It’ll look worse when the casino is up.
After our wandering around, and taking many photos, we went for lunch at an Italian restaurant nearby, then walked around the harbour to the Park Hyatt for afternoon tea. We then checked out the markets at The Rocks, then sat for a bit on the top floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art, which has such a great view, I’m surprised it wasn’t busier. This is also the location of a New Year’s Eve party that we’re contemplating going to so stopping in here was fortuitous. Yet to make a decision though.
At 4 we walked back to the car then drove to the airport for our flight back to Perth. We were there with plenty of time to spare and through checkin and security promptly. Unfortunately, due to some fault with the plane, we were delayed about three hours. They never fixed the problem so we were swapped to a smaller plane. Still, considering there are plenty of worse things that could have happened, getting home a few hours late was pretty mild.
It was a great weekend; not too rushed, packed with friends and family, and the weather has been great too. We’ll be back at New Year’s with another Canadian friend so we’ll do more of the tourist things then.
Travels with Dan 
What do you say, eh?