A random night about a month ago we decided to go to Sydney for NYE so the first thing we did was look for flights, where much to our surprise there were plenty available. I later discovered that the Melbourne to Sydney flight route is the busiest in the world. The flights were reasonably priced so we thought we’d book something and stay there for a night or two and make a bash of it. Our plans were looking good until we began looking for accommodation where we fast learnt that there was nothing available for a single night or two and the only accommodation that could be booked was for a minimum of 7 nights with each night costing anywhere between $500-700 Australian dollars per night, now that was hefty.

We decided to go on a smash and grab trip where we’d go in the morning and spend the day there, do the countdown, party for a few hours then return to Melbourne. In total it was going to be a door to door trip of about 28 hours straight. With the assistance of our good friend red bull, we were brave and game enough to embark on this marathon.

Awake at 5.30am on the 31^st of December and off to the airport to get our flight at 8.30am. A hearty breakfast at the airport which included a beer got the engine kick started. The flight was a short 1 hour journey so we were in Sydney before you could say ‘I need a red bull’!

It was overcast but humid which was comfortable. With time pressing we had to get right into the mix so we grabbed a taxi and off we went. Our taxi driver was a Bangladeshi fellow who suggested we go straight to ‘The Rocks’ area to kick off our day. He was super friendly and even gave us a section of his newspaper which had all the things to do in Sydney for New Years Eve. Much to my amazement I noticed that he was not wearing his seatbelt which was rather strange as all the cabbies in Melbourne wear seatbelts so I had to query him about this. He said that some time ago a cab driver in Sydney was strangled to death with the use of the seatbelt by a back seat passenger over a disagreement with the fare. Seatbelts are now optional for cab drivers in Sydney. I then asked him who he followed in the footy and he said Souths which shocked us a little because when you’re in Melbourne and you ask someone the same question they will tell you their favourite Aussie Rules team. A short one hour flight to Sydney in the same country and it’s a completely different ball game as they refer to rugby as their footy. Just a small reminder that although Melbourne and Sydney are close there are vast differences.

We got dropped off at ‘The Rocks’ and could instantly see the Sydney Harbor Bridge so we began taking snaps of it then headed in its directions so we could get on the Bridge and take some more pictures. On the way we found an awesome bookshop that had some rather peculiar books in the window that had to do with farting and a variation of Where’s Wally? which was called Where’s Bin Laden?

The view from the Bridge was fantastic and you really get to see a lot of the Sydney CBD. It takes about half an hour to walk across the bridge one way.

It was time to meet up with some friends already in Sydney who were at the Opera House, so we made plans to rendezvous at an agreed meeting point then began heading that way, well at least we thought so anyways. We totally screwed up. An American family followed us as we assured them we knew the way to the Opera House but we completely took them the wrong way. Sorry Judy!

We needed a pint to gather our thoughts so we stopped off at a German called Lowenbrau Keller and had a quick fix. Refreshing! They were typically serving 1 litre jugs of beer but unfortunately we didn’t have the time for that.

It was about 1pm and Circular Quay which is the area along the harbor where the Opera House was situated was beginning to build up with the masses ready to ring in the New Year. The locals were anticipating 1.5 million revellers along Circular Quay to catch the famous fireworks display so it was going to be mayhem. It was busy enough at 1pm so I couldn’t imagine what it would be like by midnight. We planned to avoid the area for the countdown considering there was a lockdown after 3pm which didn’t allow you to come back out of the area after that time. We were only in Sydney for a short time so we didn’t want to be stuck in the same area all day.

We eventually found our friends and proceeded to a restaurant to get some lunch into our bellies. I had toasted gnocchi which wasn’t too bad but the waiter was adamant that the gnocchi wasn’t burnt which I found strange considering I was not complaining. Guilty conscience? Hmmm!

After lunch, we explored more of the CBD until we had enough of the sightseeing and were ready to step up the drinking. We stopped off at a bottle shop to stock ourselves with liquor then made our way to our friend’s hotel room. I was the first casualty indicated by the spilling of alcohol all over the floor. Sorry Noel, Emily and Sandra! I was pissed and on my knees scrubbing away the mess! Our friends Tony and Susie, all the way from Jersey UK, finally joined us but they did have some catching up to do. They didn’t disappoint.

After a couple of hours we left the hotel to position ourselves for the countdown. The streets were so much busier than before and you could really feel the New Year buzz now. We were given a hunch to go to Rushcutters Bay as it would be a more comfortable area to watch the fireworks display. We had to split up and jump into separate cabs and Bill (our Travel YoYo programming whiz) and I were the last to jump into a cab as they were pretty hard to find. We eventually found one who in the end tried to rip us off by taking us the wrong way. Prick! Not as good as our Bangladeshi mate earlier. We couldn’t find another cab so we began to walk seeing that it didn’t seem too far away looking at it from the maps on our phones. We walked for a little the decided to ask someone how far the walk was and he looked at us as if we were crazy. “You must be out of your mind boys, that’s way too far, you need a cab!”

It’s funny how you live in a city and don’t see someone for years and then you go away and you bump into a friend! Hey Spiro, it was good to see you mate!

We eventually found a cab and within 5 minutes made it to the others who were being amused by a couple having sex in a hotel room on level 1 with their blinds wide open. Show offs!

Walking through a park we got to Rushcutters Bay, found a nice spot to camp our arses on and continued to drink until it was time for 2010. The vibe in the area was pretty subdued when we arrived and had plenty of space ensuring we were comfortable. As time went on the music began, as did the laughter and singing. We had a good view of the Harbor Bridge and Opera House, so it was a good place to be. We all bought glow sticks off three young kids who were selling them to save up for a PS3. I hope our contribution and everyone else’s was enough to get your PS3 boys!

5-4-3-2-1…Happy New Year! The fireworks were now taking the limelight. At the beginning I thought the fireworks were pretty average and could not get my head around what all the fuss was about, but as it went on it got better. The show went for 15 minutes which is a hell of a long time for fireworks. The climax I have to say was awesome. Definitely worth it, nice work Sydney!

Our flight was at 6.30am so we had limited time. We headed straight for Oxford Street to soak up a bit more atmosphere but it took us forever to get there which kind of deflated our souls a little bit. By the time we got there we were shattered. We roamed the area for a little while then got a cab and went straight to the airport. The conversation in the cab was quite interesting. The topic ‘Do you have a shower before going to bed or first thing in the morning?’ Even the cabbie got involved. I guess we all wanted a shower hey!

We found the airport closed so thanks to some smart work by Pete we found some quality benches that we could rest on. The airport opened soon after and we got ourselves some much needed breakfast. Sumo Salad was brilliant, an excellent recommendation by Tony!

We boarded the plane and headed back to Melbourne still in one piece, only just!

The only negative is that we left our camera at the table we had breakfast on at the Sydney airport, so no photos to post unfortunately but depending on the founder of the camera and their photoshop skills, you may find us on a porn site in the near future.

That was that. Another New Years gone. It was an even more worthwhile trip when we found out that Melbourne had been raining pretty much throughout New Years Eve!

All the best for 2010!

“We can give thanks for our health and happiness, the support we receive from our families and friends, some wonderful memories and the excitement that each new day brings” quote from Queen Elizabeth II. 

It is time to cross paths with royalty, to sit in the company of her majesty’s presence, solving all of life’s problems over a warm cup of tea. Well that would be nice and homely wouldn’t it? I guess we are entitled to dream!

Although your chances of seeing the Queen whilst visiting Buckingham Palace are relatively slim, there is much excitement in what this day has to bring.

The front of Buckingham Palace

There are many attractions in and around Buckingham Palace…

Buckingham Palace – Built in 1702 and is currently home to Queen Elizabeth II and her family. The official London residence of the British monarch which is the setting for state occasions and royal hospitality. Buckingham Palace is a functioning Palace that has a spectacular interior. Events are still held in the Palace and you can sign up for a tour that takes you through some of the rooms.

Garden at Buckingham Palace – situated at the rear of Buckingham Palace with features including a large 19^th century lake graced by a flock of flamingoes, the Waterloo Vase and a mulberry tree dating back to the time of James I of England. Not usually open to the public, although there are certain times of the year where you can gain access to various parts.  

Constitution Hill – Believe it or not, it’s not a hill but actually a flat road connecting The Mall with Hyde Park Corner which is bordered by Buckingham Palace Gardens and Green Park.

The Mall – The road running from Buckingham Palace to Admiralty Arch where you will find The Queen Victoria Memorial just before the gates of Buckingham Palace.

The Mall with Admiralty Arch in the distance

Green Park – One of the Royal Parks of London positioned between London’s Hyde Park and St. James’s Park which has the Canada Memorial and the Constance Fund Foundation.

Pall Mall – A street in the City of Westminster running parallel to The Mall, known for its gentleman clubs and was once the centre of fine art in London.

St. James’s Square – Was one of the most fashionable residential areas in London but is now home to numerous large business organisations and The London Library. You will find the most expensive house in the world is situated at number 8 St. James Square with an estimated worth of over 100 million pounds.

St. James’s Park – The oldest of the Royal Parks of London bounded by Buckingham Palace, The Mall, St. James’s Palace, Horse Guards and Birdcage Walk. The park has a small lake with two islands and a bridge where you can get a nice view of Buckingham Palace.

St. James’s Palace – One of London’s oldest palaces situated in Pall Mall where the Royal Court is formally based.

One of the Guards in postion

There are many aspects of the area to explore; I highly recommend you make time for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. It takes place at the front of the Palace and is a popular event for visitors to the capital.

Useful websites…

http://www.royal.gov.uk/

http://www.visitlondon.com/attractions/detail/427311

Nearest tube stations: Victoria, St. James’s Park, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Charing Cross

Chinatown can be found between the Soho area of London and Leicester Square. London’s Chinatown was originally situated in the East End, but moved to its current location in the 1970’s due to the popularity of Chinese food and culture. Old Compton Street is the main high street in Chinatown.

Chinatown is a nice little area with an Arch marking the beginning of the pedestrian zone which is full of Chinese culture consisting of restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets and souvenir shops. You will discover that it has its own personality and atmosphere; and is especially worth the visit at night when all the lights decorating the area can be found brightly lit up.

Lights and decorations - Chinatown London

Whether or not you have a keen sense of smell, avoiding the exotic Oriental aromas along Gerrard Street and the neighbouring side streets is near impossible. Rest assured, you are not restricted to Chinese food only, as there is a vast choice of Asian cuisines on offer.

Chinese New Year is an excellent time to grace the area with your presence as Chinatown becomes a different place altogether with its decorations, red lanterns and all things celebratory.

Although not Chinese in any way, one of my favorite pubs in the area is Waxy’s Little Sister who has a not too busy feel about it on the busiest of days. Waxy’s Little Sister is of course Leicester Square Waxy O’Connor’s – “Little Sister”. It has a nice downstairs area as well as a lovely upstairs section with its “dumb waiter” so you don’t even have to run downstairs for a drink. Awesome!

Chinatown is a favourite hangout for locals and tourists alike and is particularly busy at Sunday lunch time, where Londoners go to the area to sneak in a quick dim sum or three.

The markets, grocery and spice shops are heaven and you do actually feel like you’re in another country. Spend some time browsing through the little shops and seeing the wonderful Oriental ornaments and paintings, you never know, you might just make a purchase.

You only wish that Chinatown were much bigger so there would be more of the area to enjoy!

Useful website…

http://www.chinatownlondon.org/

Nearest tube stations: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road

Soho is a popular entertainment district with a rich and varied history comprising of a maze of streets and alleyways covering around 1 square mile bounded by Oxford Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road and Regent Street. The district was once known for being London’s vice although much has changed since then, yet thankfully it still retains its unique character and charm.

Colourful shops of Soho

Nowadays you will have pleasure in discovering the area has many angles to it consisting of television production, magazine publishing, trendy bars and restaurants, funky fashion, record shops and London’s gay scene. If this wasn’t enough to keep you busy, I’m sure London’s Red Light district with its numerous sex shops and strip clubs will do their best to fill that void.

If none of the above mentioned are of any interest, go and check out central London’s only surviving fruit and vegetable market. Now don’t be fooled in thinking that it only sells fruit and vegetables, you can also pick up flowers, bread, cheese, herbs, fish, fabrics, the list goes on.

Soho Square is a nice place to sit and relax, where you can enjoy the park and garden area at the centre which dates back to 1681. It was originally called King Square after Charles II, whose statue stands in the Square. If you’re into music you might know that Kirsty MacColl’s memorial bench is also situated in the Square.

Engraving on Kirsty MacColl's memorial bench

Over the years, Soho has developed into a stronghold for theatres, art galleries, nightclubs and live music venues. It has seen some famous people in its time, names such as Eric Clapton, Brian Jones and the Sex Pistols have all lived in the area.

Today, Soho is a popular entertainment destination for both locals and tourists with a vibrant arts and music scene, lavish London bars, clubs, cafes and pubs making it a rather difficult place not to enjoy.

I suggest keeping your map in your bag when you get to Soho because exploring the area without any sense of direction is exciting. Get yourself lost in the narrow streets and alleyways and let some adrenalin pump through your body; I’m sure you’ll have a good story or three to tell afterwards.

Nearest tube stations: Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square

Shopping, street performers, entertainment facilities, the Royal Opera House, Seven Dials area, if you hadn’t already guessed, my adventures now take me to one of my favorite areas; the central London district of Covent Garden. I cannot put my finger on what it is about this place but from the first moment it had me at hello, with its history, character and charisma.

The name Covent Garden was given during the reign of King John. The area maintained a large kitchen garden throughout the Middle Ages to provide daily food. There are extensive early-medieval archaeological remains in the Covent Garden area reflecting early settlement.

Inside the Covent Garden market

The Covent Garden Piazza is in the centre of Covent Garden which was the site of a flower, fruit and vegetable market from the 1500’s until 1974. The central building re-opened as a shopping centre and tourist attraction in 1980 with the shops today mainly selling novelty items.

From the Piazza you can venture off to Neal street for some shopping or lunch at one of the colourful café’s on Neal’s Yard. Alternatively, head towards The Strand which is a street nearby where the Somerset House is situated. St. Paul’s Church can also be found in Covent Garden. It is also referred to as the Actor’s Church due to its long association with the theatre community.

Visitors to the city are attracted to the area so it is popular and crowded with tourists however, there is just something different about this place that doesn’t make it feel mainstream. You can still find your local Londoner in the area so that must tell you something.

The famous Covent Garden Street Performers are fantastic. They are trained classical performers or artists who can draw crowds in their hundreds. Performances can last 30 minutes consisting of tricks and acrobatics that is great entertainment.

There are numerous side streets which all add to the experience of Covent Garden, so put your map down and get yourself lost as you can randomly find something which may be of interest to you. 

A bar I have discovered in Covent Garden is The Porterhouse which has an interesting copper layout and interior design as it was once a brewery. They brew their own beer but also have a mind boggling menu of international beers so you’ll be spoilt for choice. There is live music, food and the place is huge that seems to go on forever. Its spread over 4 floors so if you get lost it might take you a while to find your friends again! It can get very busy especially during weekends and when they broadcast live sport.

There’s plenty to immerse yourself in at Covent Garden which is what makes this area one of my preferred in central London.

Here are some useful website to get you going…

http://www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/

http://www.coventgarden.uk.com/

http://www.roh.org.uk/

You can reach the square by making your way to Charing Cross tube station, or if you’re starting off from Leicester Square and walking is your thing; fear not as your strides will have you there in a flash.

The National Gallery

As with most of the popular tourist attractions in London and anywhere else in the world for that matter, the area was busy and lively with tourists putting their photography skills to work so that they can add to their collection of must have pictures of tourist attractions.

Nelson’s column which is guarded by four lion statues at its base is positioned in the middle of the square whilst the National Gallery faces onto the square and is definitely worth the visit, as the paintings are striking and best of all, it won’t cost you a thing for admission. Trafalgar Square also contains two fountains by Sir Edwin Lutyens that were added in 1939.

There are regular cultural events staged in the square throughout the year so you never know what you’re going to see. Trafalgar Square is also the main place for political demonstrations, so have that camera handy because you might be able to add an interesting piece to your photo album.

One of the lion statues guarding Nelson's column

If you fancy a quick snack or some refreshments you’ll be happy to know that there is a small café in the square although beware that it is overpriced.

Visiting Trafalgar Square around Christmas time? Every December, Norway donates a marvelous Christmas tree, to thank Britain for liberation fromthe Nazis.

You may notice the Admiralty Arch opposite the Square which takes you through to The Mall then onwards to Buckingham Palace.

Trafalgar Square is a nice place to sit down for a while and people watch; it is one of those places that you have to go and visit.

So were off to the tourist hub known as Leicester Square! You’ll be glad to know that you don’t need your hiking boots as it is just a few blocks walk from Piccadilly Circus; find Coventry Street, follow it along and you’ll be there before you can say ‘I wore red leather pants in the 80s’. On the way, be sure not to miss the many souvenir shops, pigeons, restaurants and bums which populate the area. Moments before you embark on the Square you will stumble upon the Coats of Arms of the 26 Cantons of Switzerland. After taking a quick snap of the Cantonal Tree I continued to push forward and in no time I was standing in Leicester Square. 

Leicester Square by day

Now this is truly one of the busiest places in London. There are tourists everywhere, so if you’re looking for local culture you are not going to find it here. Just you try and find a local Londoner; best of luck with that one. If mainstream tourism is not your thing you may only want to spend a short time checking it out before you leg it somewhere else.  

Leicester Square is a small pedestrianised square that does have its beauty, with its green park in the middle featuring statues of William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, Sir Joshua Reynolds, John Hunter, William Hogarth and the ever popular Charlie Chaplin. When the sun is out (which you do get from time to time) you can sit on the grass necking down a few pints staring at both William Shakespeare and people going about their business. Try not to stare for too long as you don’t want to come off as a creep.

The park in the middle of Leicester Square

The center of London’s cinema land can also be found here. This is where the film premieres take place, however, it doesn’t mean that this is a classy area. You don’t see any celebrities hanging around here. Hmmm!

One of the many cinemas

You will be overwhelmed by the choice of clubs, bars and restaurants on offer although from my experience and that from numerous others, avoid going out here because it’s tacky, overpriced and has no real vibe or character.

Expect to overpay for everything in Leicester Square and to receive little in quality in return although the TKTS booth where you can purchase tickets to the theatre at half price is excellent value. TKTS is the only ‘real’ cheap ticket booth. Keep that in mind!

Leicester Square is constantly busy whether it be day or night. Friday and Saturday nights are mayhem with tourists in abundance and drunks stumbling about trying to stay on their feet.

My visit to the Square had to end in taking my first photo in a London phone booth. I just had to have this in my collection!

They say that if you stay long enough at Piccadilly Circus you will eventually bump into everyone you know! This short statement describes the popularity and volume of tourists that pass through this famous road junction which no doubt most of us have seen somewhere or other in the past. 

Piccadilly Circus is somewhat of a meeting point for locals and tourists alike. It was the perfect place to begin discovering Central London so off I was to see the SANYO and TDK neon bright lights bulging brightly into the London sky. I was a tourist after all, so what does a tourist do? Well he/she partakes in being a tourist of course. There are few tourists in the world, so it was my duty to help boost the numbers.

The famous neon lights of Piccadilly Circus

Easily enough the best tube station to get to this attraction is ‘Piccadilly Circus’. Doesn’t get any easier than that now does it?? Two Underground lines service this station; the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines. Just look for the blue and brown lines on the London Underground map. 

The station was chaotic, wind was crashing against my face caused by the trains flying through the tunnels, people’s voices were resonating off the walls and then there was the countless slamming of the barriers after each passing commuter entered/exited, all playing their part in the busy atmosphere. This atmosphere is something you quickly get used to as most stations are similar in ambience. I proceeded through the barriers adding to the ambience then found my way to one of the exits and up the stairs I walked. 

As I came to the top of the stairs I finally saw daylight and was now facing a building. In less time than it takes to down a shot of tequila and before processing what the actual building presented, I turned 190 degrees to see where the masses were going; right there in front of me beamed the bright neon lights from the corner building on the northern side with the Piccadilly Circus memorial fountain standing in between. People were sitting on the steps of the memorial, cameras flashing almost every second capturing the many poses including the backdrop that was on view. 

Piccadilly Circus traffic junction brings together five streets; Regent Street, Shaftesbury Avenue, the Haymarket, Coventry Street and Glasshouse Street. There are several major tourist attractions; the Shaftesbury Memorial (aka Piccadilly Circus memorial fountain), Criterion Theatre, London Pavilion, the unnamed site which carries the neon signs of Piccadilly Circus and numerous major retail stores. 

The Shaftesbury Memorial was moved after World War II from its original position in the centre of the junction and is now situated at the south western side of the Circus. It was erected in 1892-1893 to commemorate the philanthropic works of Lord Shaftesbury. The monument is topped by Alfred Gilbert’s winged nude statue of an archer sometimes referred to as The Angel of Christian Charity and popularly known as Eros after the mythical Greek God of Love. 

Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain

To be truthful, there’s not too much more to see other than the neon lights and the memorial fountain. You can quickly lose your hype when seeing the depressed faces of the locals pacing to and from their daily responsibilities. Thankfully, there is always a street busker at hand to provide relief in the form of their melodies. 

Take the time out to visit this junction or if you have enough time up your sleeves, why not sit on the memorial fountain steps long enough to see if you can bump into everyone you know!

People, excitement, colour, bright outfits, music, food, entertainment and diversity are just some of the things that you can expect to see at the Notting Hill Carnival. 

Colour and bright outfits on parade

The Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street carnival in Europe that has been annually taking place in London since 1964. It is held over the August bank holiday weekend with the main procession, the ever loud and colourful parade taking place on the Monday, where you will find the largest carnival attendance of up to a million carnival revelers.

Its routes trace back to the culture of the Caribbean but it has now become a moving symbol of London’s diversity, embracing multiculture and carnival traditions from Asia, South America and Europe.

Walk through the crowd, feel the vibe and get yourself a good view of the parade so that you can enjoy the dance and sounds on display. As I strolled through the masses I was able to see many of the locals who reside in Notting Hill host their own house celebrations, so it is not uncommon to see people hanging out their windows or perched on their balconies.

Local residents enjoying the Notting Hill carnival

At one point, much to my amusement, I somehow took part in the parade. I guess my emotion pulled me in and I didn’t even realise, nonetheless I was not to be stopped as I was having a ball. 

Don’t miss out on the parties and atmosphere in which you can stumble upon in the side streets as these can be most memorable.

A fantastic event full of history and tradition that must be experienced live!

Try the food, it would be rude not too! The plantain is divine! I highly recommend you don’t deprive your taste buds of the pleasure.

Here are some clips I found on youtube to get you in the groove…

Notting Hill Carnival where the whole world is invited

Notting Hill Carnival 2009 – Selection of the best

That’ll have to do for now! Until next time!

Next stop – Notting Hill! After a Saturday mid morning breakfast which consisted of protein and carbs, I jumped onto the tube and began to travel to the famous area renowned for the Portobello Road market, the annual Notting Hill Carnival, its connection with artists and alternative culture. 

It was Saturday so that meant main market day. Although the market does trade throughout the week, Saturday is the day you want to see. The market runs through Portobello Road which stretches for around 2 miles and draws tourists from around the globe. It is the largest antiques market in the world and can take you some time to complete. I had to check it out and see what all the hype was about.

As soon as I arrived I was instantly enthralled by the charm and contemporary setting that Notting Hill possessed. The houses were striking, there were people everywhere and fashion in abundance. Here we go again I thought, as my head was overwhelmed and working overtime to keep up with everything. Right! I said to myself, I’ve got time to kill so into the pandemonium I plunged.

Notting Hill market on any given Saturday

There were stalls consisting food, second hand clothes, antiques and just about anything else you could think of. What can you find there? That really is up to you and how much patience you have to dig through the stalls. Lucky for me I was in the mood to discover and was fortunate enough to find a rather strange vintage hat and some vintage shirts which I absolutely love. The best treasures are found by those who dare to seek!

When at the market, make sure you check out a good friend of mine the Cookie Girl! You can catch the Cookie Girl on facebook too! Both her and her delights rock!

And get yourself a coconut! Don’t worry you’ll know what I mean when you get there!

Good luck!