Sydney - It's Vivid!

I've  been lucky enough to be invited to Sydney to work the week of Vivid. Sydney's a beautiful city any time of the year but to be amongst the lights of Vivid this year is pretty spectacular. There's an air of excitement and anticipation in the air.

Hotel QT in Market Street was superb. It's the place to be, whether for coffee in Parlour Lane, Cocktails in the Bar or a sumptuous dinner in the restaurant. The rooms are well appointed, far flung from the same same approach of the large Chain Hotels. The rooms display an individuality and flair, and from the stage costumes on the ground floor, to the eclectic wall display of suitcases and clocks, this hotel exudes confidence. Staff were for the most, friendly, and although all obvious backpackers, aside from the odd language barrier, were attentive and helpful.

Our vivid experience started on a wet, windy and very cold Friday evening with a cruise through the harbour to celebrate the official Lights On! Moment. Under the iconic Harbour Bridge, past the gaping mouth of Luna Park and into the laser light show on the Opera House and buildings surrounding Circular Quay and Darling Harbour.

Whilst we were shown a bright array of colour and laser light, the display paled in comparision with Brisbane's King George Square and Town Hall Christmas Light Show of 2014, and I was left a little underwhelmed. Perhaps the wet weather was a contributing factor, and after a hasty retreat into a nearby Italian Resturant, to shelter from another downpour, we decided over dinner and a wine to try again tomorrow evening. 

Saturday morning found us wandering the back lanes and alleyways of The Rocks. The cobblestones, the wooden block section of George Street, the bakeries and fresh food stalls of the early Rocks Market, all make this area my favourite place in Sydney. The promise of freshly baked Butter Crossaints lured us into a French Bakery for breakfast as Hugo once again became the object of a photo opportunity.

The Rocks Museum houses some amazing artefacts discovered over the years through archeological diggings in the area. How does a 2000 year old Egyptian relic end up in an area of Sydney only inhabited by the Europeans for the past 200 years? If you ever find yourself in Sydney with an hour or two to kill, make your way to the Museum, it's free and a very interesting place to wander. 

Spoilt for choice in coffee, food, souvenirs and market stalls, The Rocks is a bustling area on a weekend, go early to avoid the crowds but make the time for a pot of Irish Tea n Scones, reported to be the best in Sydney. 

Sitting in the sun, listening to so many different dialects, accents from tourists from around the world, I give thanks that this life is so easily accessible to us as Australians. We have enough food, enough warmth, enough opportunity in this country for all to share. It is the lucky country, still. 

Making our way through the city, watching buskers and fire twirlers reflected in the dark waters of the Bay, we settle in to spend the evening at the Opera Bar, anxiously awaiting the nights light show on the Opera House. Luckily we arrived early enough to secure a fantastic view of both the Bridge and the Opera House, and although we were still convinced Brisbane does it better, it was a pretty cool way to spend an evening.

Thanks Sydney, it's been a fun, albeit a mild Vivid experience.