Oh, Sydney. Â I couldn’t have asked to spend two weeks in a more beautiful place. Â And with a third snowstorm in a week, I’m more than ready to go back.
And not just for the weather.
Sydney felt like a combination of the best bits of my favorite cities – a good amount of history, a strong cultural footprint, incredible food, pedestrian friendly, and incredible people.  I know understand the ardent response of “Oh, I LOOOOOVE Sydney!” from anyone who’s visited, and have a hard time understanding why anyone would leave.
We stayed at the Pier One (more to come!) in The Rocks – an up-and-coming neighborhood with spectacular water views, a booming restaurant scene, and a ton of history. Â I spent the first week exploring the neighborhood – working from coffee shops and restaurants, trying a new place every day for lunch, and escaping the heat in galleries and the contemporary art museum.
I did venture out from our charming neighborhood, though.  We spent a hot Sunday afternoon in Potts Point and Wolloomooloo with Alicia, and wandered back to our hotel through the Botanical Gardens.  I ventured out to Manly Beach to meet up with an old mentor from my Cisco days, and spent the rest of the afternoon lying on a beach with a book.  I drank my weight in flat whites (sooooooooo good), feasted on fresh fish daily, and overindulged in TimTams.  An unapologetic red drinker, I almost exclusively drank white wine during the trip.  It was just so good.
Since our next trip will take us back to Sydney, I plan to do everything I didn’t get around to – a visit to Bondi Beach, window shopping in Paddington, surfing lessons in Manly, the Harbour Bridge Climb. Â Weekend trips to Hunter Valley for wine tasting and Blue Mountains for hiking are also high on the list.
Upcoming posts will delve into the specifics “go eat here, go see this, go do this”, so keep your eyes peeled. Â I hope you’re staying warm – and if you’re in Sydney (or some other warm place), go get some Vitamin D for me. Â I’m huddled up in bed with my laptop, a pot of tea, and a sniffly nose.
