Sydney Open

#sydney #sydneyopen #whatsonsydney #soreknees
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Every second year the Sydney Living Museums/HHT launch their Sydney Open Day. On this day buildings around the city open up their doors to show the general public some of their rooms. Aided with my printed map,2 friends any my reliable partner,  I penciled in my wish list.We then start to negotiate our day. Having done the Open before, I knew to limited my achievable list to a top 6 must see list. These included:

# 8 Chifley
# 9 Castlereagh
 Martin Place (including their rooftop)
Australia Square
Cove Apartments
Hong Kong Park
Grosvenor Place
Governor Phillip Tower (views!!)
NAB House
The Great Synagogue
The Royal Automobile Club of Australia

OK, 6 was a little hard!!

I have some great pictures to show over the next few days. In terms of view the Governor Phillip takes the prize. We were up on the upper levels with 360 degree views of the city with floor to ceiling windows. On this beautiful spring day the city looked amazing.

Architecturally, 50 Martin Place wins. The old building has been restored to include a glass atrium that shines light down the internal offices. Built at just the right height to allow natural light in yet low enough to avoid the wind tunnels. It was stunning.

This is an amazing day to learn more about the city and see the insides to some historic, as well as brand new buildings

For more info head to:
http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/sydneyopen

The Lord Raglan

  #sydney #lordragon #redfern


The Lord Raglan is a small pub that is part of the gentrification of the south Redfern/Alexandria area. I stumbled across this pub following the taste of The Rocks Brewing co beer - this is all they have on tap. The bar retains it's old style pub look with the renovations limited to funky industrial like lighting. It has become my favourite place for a bite to east and a few beers on a Friday night. I highly recommend the Hangman - my favourite ale, though they add special brews all the time.

Later on on Friday night they have an acoustic band playing old favourties which adds to the relaxed and no stress environment. A rare place in Sydney that does not have Poker machines! There are some pinball machines for those that need to do something other than catch up.

If you are in the area, I recommend popping in. Redfern is changing so rapidly. The hipsters are moving in and cleaning it all up!

http://lordraglan.com.au/lordraglan/Welcome

The Galleries - Foodcourt

#food #sydney #galleriesvictoria

 Hidden in the basement of the Galleries Centre is a much missed food court. It has recently been renovated and is not quite a little art space. It is dimly lit, organised in different sections that break up the room. Across the back of the furthest wall is the below art piece of an Asian Lady. I love this picture. It really lights up the space taking you right away from the bustle of the city and nearby Town Hall Station. It is probably as Melbourne as you are going to get in central Sydney.

If you are going to grab a quick bite (on your way to JB HI FI) then you cannot go past Mero Mero. They have the most tasty (steak) sandwiches that you are going to find. Beautiful marinades on your freshly cooked meats with fresh salads. I have never been disapointed. You usually have to wait, but it is well worth it. 

https://www.thegaleries.com/

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/