Archibald Fountain - Hyde Park

#hydepark #sydney .

This is the most visited and well known fountain in Sydney. It is located in Hyde Park North, and every person in Sydney has had at least one visit to it. It was build in 1932, and I find it hard to imagine Hyde Park without it.  It was built to commemorate the relationship with France in World War 1. It is an Art Deco design and.... blah blah - I will not bore you with the design. What most kids like are the animals in the fountain with spurt water into the pond below. I can always remember the turtles and they take me back to my childhood.

Heading South from the fountain you walk under the canopy of  trees to the other end of the park. It is beautiful and you can easily forget you are in the middle of the city as you casually walk with the occasional specks of sunlight making its way through the trees. 

The Queen Victoria Building

This shopping centre, a former market is Sydney's answer to London's Harrods. Built in 1898, it has been a pivotal part of retail in Sydney ever since. It's art deco interiors and domes are probably a bigger draw-card then the shops within it. For most people it is just a thoroughfare from Town Hall train station to the surrounding city streets.  If you stop and take time to examine the architecture and fittings you will be well rewarded. It is on of the few well preserved buildings in Sydney that remind you of a time long gone. If you look online you will fine pictures of this building surrounded by horse and buggies instead of the buses that are there now.

The building itself was destined to be pulled down in the late 70s and be replaced with a car park, however sense prevailed and a major refurbishment turned it into the classy landmark it is today.

One thing I really want to try, but never have is the Tea Room in the QVB which serves High Tea Daily. Has anyone been? Is it worth the wait?? Time will tell.

http://www.qvb.com.au/ #QVB #sydney

Vivid Sydney

Vivid arrives to welcome winter to Sydney. It is our festival of lights where key buildings in the city are lit up and morphed into art. It is becoming bigger than NYE in terms of crowd numbers. Last year's experience reminded me to go on a week night as the crowds are less and you can move around more freely. This year saw Martin Place and the Sydney Star Casino added to the mix. I completed it all over two nights and was not disappointed. I have the usual photos of the spectacular Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. Also added below are the inflatable rabbits that won me over. I must admit, I will be sad to see it end for another year, as winter takes over and the lights fade...

If it is your first time make sure you time your visit to Darling Harbour for the light & water show that it finished with fireworks. Touristy, yes but still a bit of fun.

http://www.vividsydney.com/

The Golden Age Cinema & Bar

The Golden Age Cinema and Bar was described to me as one of Sydney's prettiest bars, and the talk was not wrong. It is down in a basement in Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills.  The bar is stunning and beautifully lit. The curtains look golden as the light dimly expresses its colour. On arrival there was a big band playing all the usual standards. It takes you back in time, allowing you to forget the modern world. The band comes out from behind the curtain, literally a half a metre away. This is the bar to be taking your date to. To romance your special someone.

There is a cinema in the bar too, but I did not make it to the cinema this time round - though I will be back. They play old classics, so I have to remember to check out what is coming up and make sure I get a good movie - I am sure it will be worth the wait.

http://ourgoldenage.com.au/