Comments on: Farewell United States….

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:17:22 +0000

SYDNEY: the concierge at our hotel (Marriott Circular Quay) recommended Zia Pina in The Rocks area, and it’s some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. Quick & cheap. Get one with garlic. delicious.

By: tim

tim — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 01:22:20 +0000

missing the super bowl in the states? somehow it won’t be the same.

had i seen this earlier, i would have said you should catch a match at the australian open, it’s in melbourne this week and last, but it’s almost over.

i’ve been to NZ and AU before and you can’t go wrong. the great barrier reef was nice and auckland was cool as far as i remember, though i was a bit young.

btw, have you seen this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/28/dining/28bacon.html

right up your alley.

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:15:55 +0000

Beets on burgers/sandwiches? A yes or a no? Just a strange custom we noticed on our trip down under last month. I like the pink stain the beet left on my grilled chicken sandwich after I tossed little beet from between me buns. RRRRR.

Kangaroo steak is yum.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 05:34:39 +0000

I’m from auckland as well. Suggestions above are good ones. Food wise, check out the viaduct as well, as there are good eateries down there. Also Ponsonby Road has some fantastic food. Tourist wise, check out the sky tower, Rangitoto volcano (catch ferry out there from the ferry building located near the britomart).

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:23:16 +0000

As I am not sure of things you want to do in Sydney below is a list of high-brow and a list of low-brow things you may or may not enjoy in Sydney.

High-Brow
1. Have drinks at Opera Bar. It’s right under the Sydney Opera House with views of Sydney Harbour Bridge. Really nice to do as the sun is setting.
2. Go to Longrain in Surrey Hills and have great Thai food. My understanding in the US is the Thai food is pretty bad. Here it’s really good.
3. Sydney Festival is on at the moment and there are tons of concerts and plays and art things happening at the moment so you should look at that website to see what’s on.
4. At the moment there are 2 different moonlight outdoor cinemas on in Sydney and there’s one overlooking the harbour but I can’t remember what it’s called but this time of year it’s really nice.

Yeah i’m actually out of high-brow things because I am largely low brow.

Low-Brow
1. Eat $5 steaks at the Strawberry Hills hotel. They’re $5!!! And that’s not even US currency, it’s Australian so that’s like $US3 to you.
2. Go to King St in Newtown and eat tasty cheap Thai food. Longrain is great for a nice/expensive night out but there are so many cheap places along this street as an alternative.
3. Go to Pancakes on the Rocks in the Rocks are of Sydney. Pretty self-explanatory. Pancakes always good.
4. Have Yum Cha in Chinatown at the Marigold and eat the Mango Pancakes for dessert. Holy crap they’re good. Many a time I have contemplated smacking them out of my friends hands so I can eat them myself.
5. Go to Opporto’s which is a burger chain here that does these Portugese chicken burgers that have chicken, mayo, chilli, cheese and lettuce on them.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:31:06 +0000

In Auckland in terms of kiwi fast food you won’t find anywhere else -
Murder Burger on Ponsonby Rd
Also, Hell Pizza/Burger Fuel
Try Kumara fries!

To see and do:
Waiheke Island and Devonport – just catch a ferry from Britomart
Mission Bay beach
Piha Beach
Auckland City Domain

Have a wander in the city on:
K Rd
Vulcan Lane
High Street

By: Emmaline

Emmaline — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:26:20 +0000

If you’re in Byron definitely make a trip up to the lighthouse. You may wanna drive – its a fairly long walk!
But totally worth it
It’s the most easterly point in Australia and has the most breath-taking views.
Last time I was there I saw whales, dolphins and turtles from up there.
Also Twisted Sister cafe in Lawson St is pretty grand, as are Bay Kebabs.
The Beach Hotel is great for a relaxing drink and some decent pub grub.
Enjoy!!

By: DCBlogs

DCBlogs — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:34:30 +0000

[...] Farewell United States. [...]

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:23:46 +0000

Wow, talk about a trip of a lifetime. Have a blast and just eat something strange… other than vegemite.

By: KevinB

KevinB — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:04:54 +0000

Visited Oz a few years ago; can’t say I was overwhelmed by the food. The best places we found in Sydney were Spanish and Chinese. Can’t remember the name, but there was a Chinese spot in Sydney that specialized in king crab; that was very good. Tried “mud bugs”, a local crustacean – lotta work for little reward. Also tried crocodile, but found it rubbery and tasteless. Lamb and fish turned out to be the best bets, time after time.

One thing that was fun was the “cook your own” places; you selected your cut of meat from the case, chose your sides, and then went to a large communal grill where you cooked your steak and sipped a cold one while conversing with your neighbours. Great way to meet (“meat”?) people, and ensure that you actually get your beef “black and blue”.

By: Carl Weaver

Carl Weaver — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:00:12 +0000

Have a great time and don’t forget to try some exciting Aussie foods like vegemite. It’s a classic.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:19:23 +0000

I live in Auckland, but while you’re in Sydney you must go to Bills –
http://www.bills.com.au/

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:09:03 +0000

Talk about unfortunate timing … I would happily buy you a beer and some completely fabulous food if you were in Melbourne. Sadly, I’m headed to the US for the same amount of time you will be Down Under!

For Melbourne food you cannot go past Vietnamese on Victoria St, a visit to the Queen Vic Market food hall, Spanish food at MoVida and if you’re really skint, just go for some toast with Vegemite. Go on, dare ya!

…and everyone knows the food in Melbourne is way better than in Sydney. (*dodges tomatoes being thrown*)

Michelle