Gorgeous Traveller

Last week I got an email from Priority Club Rewards about their Special Rate offer to stay at different properties around the world. I grabbed the opportunity to get away from my flat, and just indulge away! I booked the Old Sydney Holiday Inn for this month, and the Crowne Plaza Coogee Beach for next month!

I am quite excited to just be able to spend a bit of time with husband outside our house, without having to worry about meals, cleaning, chores, etc. It is a bit of an icing on the cake that we will be having views! Both of the harbour bridge and the opera house from the Old Sydney Holiday Inn’s rooftop! Amazing view! I could imagine spending sunset here. Cool.

This hotel, with a four star rating, is located at Sydney’s old part of the town, The Rocks. Restaurants, shops, waters edge, are all just within a few minutes walk from this sweet place. I have gone past this hotel a number of times when having dinner at Pancakes on the Rocks, or Philip’s Foote, etc. And it would be interesting to finally glimpse it from another perspective: as a hotel guest.

Old Sydney Holiday Inn, with its historical charm is known for it’s Lobby Atrium. High ceiling, perfect ambiance for pre-dinner drinks is really something to experience, and I am sure the staff would be delivering that consistent Holiday Inn hospitality, which never fails to make me feel comfortable.

The hotel which has been renovated in 2002, is not all that big, they are equipped with only 175 guest rooms, a gorgeous pool roof top, lobby lounge, parking available, valet service. Truly a charming gem in the beautiful Sydney.  I can’t wait!

I’ve spent a few nights at Shoal Bay Resort and Spa, in Port Stephens, NSW. And, it was the best! Imagine having to wake up with the view of the sparkling blue sea, warm sunshine all within the privacy of your balcony! Our balcony was located just next door to the Catch Restaurant. The Catch Restaurant offered the best of the best restos in Shoal Bay. They specialise in . . their catches! Fresh from the sea. Abundant catch such as Salmon, Oysters, Lobsters. Wow! Seafood delight! But for those who prefer something else, they do have Steak, Veal, Duck as well. Whatever you choose to try I am sure you won’t regret! I didn’t. They have great seafood buffet dinner at reasonable and great value for money deals.

Don’t forget to Catch a view of the Bay across the road! Splendid indeed!

Find yourself at Darling Harbour and craving Seafood? Well, Next to the Sydney fish market, I love Jordon’s restaurant which is right in the middle of this romantic tourist spot. This great place overlooks the water, Darling Harbour and the city buildings. The food they serve is nothing but fresh and yummy seafood. During winter one may opt to stay indoors, but in the summer al fresco dining is quite pleasant. Set over two levels, the restaurant offers a great selection of wine appropriate for one’s meal. The seafood plates are reasonably priced and is considered great value. I’ve attended a few functions at this restaurant, including my previous employer’s end of the year party. Great venue for hire for different events, as the service is impeccable and so consistent, just like their food.

Being so close to my office headquarters at King Street Wharf, Jordon’s is just a real quick place to visit after work should I be craving for a nice seafood dinner.

Jordon’s is located just next door to Harbourside Shopping Centre, and the Sydney Exhibition Centre. The fact that they are open 7 days a week, for lunch and dinner is even better.

          The third largest sand island in the world is Moreton Island in Queensland, just a ferry across from Brisbane on the MICat (about an hour or so ride). The island is as rough as Fraser Island, if not rougher in terms of amenities and terrain. There are a few accommodation options available on this island, such as Tangalooma Resort, beach cabins, beach houses or one may even go camping if looking for a bit of island adventure.

         At the island’s widest, it is about 10 kilometres and about 38 kilometres long. About 95 percent of the island is a preserved National Park. Really, this means that it is considered to be one special place on earth. A few attractions that make this worth visiting are: the famous Cape Moreton Lighthouse, Tangalooma Wrecks, highest dune Mount Tempest, Blue Lagoon freshwater lake, and really just the magnificent view from the island looking out to the sea is a view to behold and remember.

         Sand boarding is quite a popular activity, naturally, on this sand island. Dolphin and Whale watching is something to look forward to especially when one visits at the right time. Four wheel drive tours can spice up one’s experience, especially when done together with a fishing crew of campers.

         One is left in awe with the beauty of this unspoilt haven, regardless of whether one has been to her sister sand islands. A visit to Moreton Island leaves nothing but sweet memories.

For a mall rat like myself, this was an interesting read! Click on the link to look up the stats, but here they are listed:

(they are based on gross leasable area)
1. South China Mall - Dongguan, China
2. Golden Resources Shopping Mall - Beijing, China
3. SM Mall of Asia - Pasay City, Philippines
4. Cevahir Istanbul - Istanbul, Turkey
5. West Edmonton Mall - Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
6. SM Megamall - Mandaluyong City, Philippines
7. Berjaya Times Square - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
8. Beijing Mall - Beijing, China
9. Zhengjia Plaza - Guangzhou, China
10. SM North Edsa - Quezon City, Philippines

To some, the mall is just a place one goes to when one ‘needs’ to buy something. But really, to some others, it is a sanctuary. The answer to everything (At least the best malls)… Need a doctor? go to the mall. Need to visit the dentist? The mall is the place…Want to go splash some water on? The mall’s got a water theme park…Feel like watching a movie in the Big Screen? The IMAX at the mall is the place to go.. Need some retail therapy? ..Visit MfG, Kenneth Cole, Target, KMart, D&G, Cue, or some other shop.. Cooking Emergency, ran out of tomatoes? Head to the mall’s Woolworths or Coles. Feel like fine dining or fast food? McDonalds, or Kenny’s or CPK or Guido’s. Feel like a massage? Head to the Spa.

I guess at the end of the day, the Mall is there as an option. It makes life more interesting. You don’t need the money, you can hang around the mall’s shady trees or fountain. Or, you can have a million moolahs to spend then the mall is your playground. Especially now that everyone is preparing for Christmas, everyone flocks to the mall to do some shopping. Early morning, lunch break, tea time, late night shopping, whatever it takes to complete that Christmas list!

But really, the mall is a lot better place if you are with good company.. Hey, sometimes I love the company of ‘Me, Myself and I’. A few quality times I can remember was spent in the confines of those gigantic rubbles of cement and plaster. But that’s just me, and my thoughts. What’s yours?

Whether or not you are a Surf enthusiast, this amazing view will surely leave you breathless. I have come across this Pororoca Wave just last October when I was in Canberra, watching Discovery Channel. It was a sight to behold, and til then I never knew something of its kind existed. Call me ignorant!

POROROCA
-It is an Amazonian wave (or a tidal bore, when it happens elsewhere)

-The incoming tide forms a wave that travels against the direction of the current.

-Can go as high as 4 metres, travelling up to 13 kilometres upstream the Amazon River.

-It comes from the indigenous Tupi Language, which translates to ‘great destructive noise’, but for some they just refer to it as ‘the monster’.

-It is very popular with Surfers, and there even is a world competition to ride this amazing wave! Picuruta Salazar, holds this record as of the moment…(click link to see photo of Pocoroca)

-This phenomenon happens once a day, once a night, for three days in February/March, when the rain and full moon raises high tide where the Amazon river empties onto the Atlantic.
 

Here’s a little bit of a glimpse of what it actually is like, from a youtube video.

I’ve come up with a traveller’s check list of things to bring:

• Passport/Document organiser
• Ticket and Itinerary copy
• Business cards
• Wallet
• Camera/Camera charger
• Camera Memory Cards
• Mobile/Mobile charger
• Iphone/Iphone charger
• Sunnies
• Smart casual outfits for hotel inspections
• Dressy clothes for nights out and gala dinner
• Beach clothes (bikini, sarong)
• A couple of jumpers
• Sunscreen
• Cap
• Black ballet flats, thongs, black heels
• An extra bag (or two)
• Book/Magazine
• Bag locks
• Kikay Kit
• Toiletries
• Medicine kit
• Ziplock bag

There’s nowhere else prettier during Christmas time than New York City. With all those dancing fairy lights, amazing crystal balls, ornament adorned trees and other holiday inspired decors, how can one not feel the Christmas spirit?

So many things to do and see during this time of the year in the city that never sleeps, one can now plan their visit to New york at winter, through the website Christmas Time in New York. Imagine a one stop site which features the five boroughs of NYC and all the events and venues happening this season. It even has updates on traffic situation, weather, and contact information of everything related to the city we love to love.

If you are one who loves to plan before a much awaited New York city visit, then this website would have achieved it’s goal. Be a source of information for discerning tourists (and locals). 

Especially during this trying time. One can only try to think up of ways to save. And be healthy!

Cut down on junk food and soft drinks.
Not only would one get to save a about thirty dollars a month, but also lose a bit of tummy bulge to be able to get ready for that beach holiday.
Approximate saving per month: $30.

Walk at least thirty minutes a day.
If one lived within an easy walk to work, it is smart and healthy to get exercise. Walk either to work, or from work at least three times a week, or more if one is not pressed with time. A good way to cut transportation cost, save on petrol, and get that lazy bum to walk.
Approximate saving per month: $40.

Drop your gym membership.
One can easily save big bucks by getting into shape the economical way. One need not be a member of Fitness First, or Gold’s Gym or whatever. We’d only need to stick to our daily regimen of walking, jogging and we’d be keeping fit and losing weight in no time. Truly being healthy does not have to be expensive. It is better to use hard earned moolah towards a much deserved holiday.
Approximate saving per month: $70.

Give your plastics a break.
I know some people enjoy retail therapy so much, but revert to being stressed again once the credit card bill comes in. Really, one does not need a new pair of jeans, shirt, underwear, shoes every week. Perhaps indulge every other month or two, maybe. But not on a weekly basis.
Approximate saving per month: $100.

Cook at home. Bring lunch to work.
I don’t know anyone who does not appreciate home cooked meals. They are a lot cheaper to prepare, way healthier (without too much salt, or MSG, or other unhealthy ingredients that restaurants or fast food put into your meal). Aside from hubby appreciating your time spent cooking that delicious and healthy food, you get to save.
Approximate saving per month: $250.

At the end of the month, if you’ve been good, imagine having an extra $500 to spend towards that dream holiday. I know not everyone may appreciate that weekend away over something material (eg, hotel and spa pampering versus new camera). However, if you are a travel buff like myself, you would think up ways to save up for that goal: holiday! Come to think of it, spending wisely leads to a healthy lifestyle as well. Now, it is just a matter of putting to action all these nice things!

Such a beautiful location to hold markets at, especially with the increasingly nice, warm weather… that is at The Rocks in Sydney. The markets come alive every Friday night this November, from 6PM, with free live music to entertain every shopper. Why not enjoy one of The Rocks’ restaurants for dinner or even just a long night out with the rest of your mates with a few bottles of your choice.

After getting your market fix, why not head down to Circular Quay to enjoy Sydney’s nicest spot for a walk along the waterfront before heading home. Sooner rather than later they are saying that one may even get thec chance to ride on a ferris wheel at Circular Quay. Whether or not this will push through, and be this ride of an eye sore to the beautiful harbour, can be left to each one’s opinion. For now, we must enjoy the beautiful harbour sans ferris wheel!