Touchdown in Sydney

      A direct flight to Sydney from LAX in 15 hours, it seemed dreadful, but I was to excited at this point. I arrive with bags in tow at 11:40 PM, beautiful night in Los Angeles I give my last farewell to my dad and cousin Richard.

FLIGHT EVENTS

1. Before: Gent behind me in check-in line invites me to a party in Melbourne where he will be doing the DJ thing.  

2. During: Sat next to a gracious fellow named Nick you turned out to be a big time TV producer in Australia. Hell yes I got that business card.

3. Out the window: As we are about to land I look out and see the very green and quaint city below. Traffic moves about smoothly, houses all different colors. The city had a European look, even though I never been to Europe.

4. After: Taxi driver was named Frank who gave me the low down about Sydney. Also first embarrassing tourist mistake: trying to enter his cab on the right side.

      I finally make it to my hotel at 11 am, which sits on the edge of central Sydney, next to Chinatown. Since my room wouldn't be ready till 2, I decided to go out on my first city adventure. As I walk out the hotel doors the beautiful sun soaks into my clothes, cardigan comes off. The temperature must be in the 80's and humidity a little high as I can already feel a sweat come on. I worry about the burn on my hands and lips from snowboarding but push out into the streets.

     I walk towards the crowds straight down to Railway Square and then towards Capitol Square, which leads you to the Belmore Park, small size park that sits next to Sydney Central train station. After I dodge the numerous solicitors who are seeking tourists I decide to ignore this area from now on.  Now I stand on the quieter side of Sydney known as Surry Hills. The picture of San Francisco pops into my head as I climb the hilly streets that are lined with cafes and "terrace" houses (Thank you Frank.) I have never been to SF but that is all I can think of to help you imagine.

    The hills help the goal of my adventure become apparent, a nice cold beer. I cruise down Foveaux Street till I hit Crown Street, where Nick promised a good selection of pubs, not quite. As I approach Oxford Square, the liveliness of the city increases and I find a cool spot to rest my heavy feet.

HANGOUTS

1. Mad Pizza- greeted by a Canadian bartender who name is Jancie (Jan-Cee) she serves me a cold St. Arnou in a bottle. As I study the bottle I can't help but laugh when I read "Imported from Australia". Last time I checked I was here. Pretty good drink, reminds me of Franziskaner Hefe Weissbier. The place is a pizzeria with colorful walls promoting their "super thin and healthy" pizzas... I stick with the liquid carbs. The restaurant is nice and shaded with metal pots as light fixtures and fake trees sticking out of the walls as the electronic mixes of Coldplay put me in a great place.

2. Sweeney's Rooftop Bar- After an energetic and more relaxed trek through Hyde Park, I make my way through City Centre and Galleries Victoria. The overall laidback feeling of Surry Hills is replaced by what I read about Sydney before I came, that it is like the New York of Australia. Bumper to bumper traffic, less flip-flops and more suits.

As I cruise down I find a sign that advertises a rooftop bar, I head in hoping for a fresh breeze while sipping down another beer. What I get is a sun deck filled with umbrellas and high wooden tables. The bar is very appealing, but hot as hell as I burn my arm when I rest it, ha-ha mistake #2. Amy the quintessential picture of an Australian female in my head, she is standing 6'1'' and natural in every way. She serves me a150 Lashes pale ale. Not as sweet as the last which I enjoyed. The music plays a variety of indie to reggae to rock. Jack Johnson comes on for the last song before I leave. Overall this place would be better for a pre-dinner drink with your groups of friends.  Pretty small with limited views and a lack of air circulation that is heightened by the cigarette smoke (A lot of cigarette smoking in the city).

3. Wise Monkeys Pub- One last stop before I head back I choose this place because of the three monkeys sitting above the entrance that read "Pub". As I enter I see a young casual crowd and feel like I have found a good spot. The first male bartender offers a few beer samples then deciding to go with a Coopers Brew Pale Ale (standard tap in AUS). Window seat snagged while watching the busy intersection of Liverpool and George I make a few observations:

A. Australian beer seems stronger.

B. I think my mom would really like it here.

C. The guys try really hard here, far better dressed then the females.

D. I cannot believe they just played a Garbage song!

I make it back to the Hotel Pool (pictures coming) and soon I'm joined by some Kiwis (people from New Zealand). After making friends one asks me to drinks at the Crystal Palace across the street, pretty different place. Then we had dinner at Crocodile Senior Thai restaurant where we dined and talked about New Zealand.