Solo in Sydney

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Last week I indulged in a solo weekend away in Sydney. I took a wellbeing day off (a new leave benefit) from work on Thursday and took the noon Murrays bus from Canberra to Sydney. It was good for the soul to only worry about myself for a couple of days. I did not go without missing my family and feeling a bit uncomfortable the first day. But after immersing myself in Sydney’s culture and vibe, I came back refreshed and happy to be home. 

The first day it was just me. It felt a bit weird booking a dinner at a fancy restaurant by myself, but I didn’t feel too awkward once I was there. Midden at the Opera House was outdoors and a lovely place to be in the middle of summer. I had a great view of Circular Quay and the Sydney Harbour Bridge while I enjoyed my delicious barramundi. I loved watching the ferries coming and going. People watching was entertaining too. I didn’t realise that around the Opera House was the place to exercise as there were lots of people walking and jogging in their active wear. The Great Opera Hits show was also a pleasant experience. It was the perfect show to get my music and culture fix. The host and pianist Guy Noble had entertaining commentary to go along with the beautiful opera performances. 

The second day was spent with friends. I went for an early morning walk along the Barangaroo waterfront with a friend. It started to rain midway but luckily it was short-lived. We walked back into the CBD and I met up with more friends for brunch. The big adventure for the day was taking the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. The three of us went for a good walk from Manly wharf to Shelley Beach and back. After our hot afternoon walk, we decided to hang out at the rooftop bar at my hotel, Little National Hotel Sydney. We ate mochi donuts and drank the hotel’s free Nespresso coffee. The day ended with a great movie, The Holdovers, with another couple of friends and comfort Thai food. 

The third and last day started with a walk to The Rocks after I checked out of my most comfortable hotel room. I found breakfast at a French patisserie and watched other tourists (mostly from the cruise ship docked at Circular Quay I suspect) as I had my coffee and croissant. I then went to the Tacita Dean exhibit and explored the free exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Australia. I found some iced calamansi at the George Street Food Gallery before I met up with some friends for lunch. Unfortunately, I was in quite a bit of pain as I walked the rest of the day. It turned out that I overextended my muscles around my right ankle. My friends and I enjoyed a Japanese lunch together and some Bath and Body Works shopping before I walked to Central Station to catch my 3-hour bus ride back to Canberra. 

Day One: Thu, 11 January
30.8°C
Murrays Bus: Depart Canberra Jolimont Centre 12:00pm arrive Sydney Central 3:30pm
Sydney Central > Wynyard
Little National Hotel Sydney, 26 Clarence St
Midden by Mark Olive, Sydney Opera House
Great Opera Hits, Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
9,767 steps

Day Two: Fri, 12 January
30.1°C
Barangaroo Wharf > Barangaroo Reserve, Manly Wharf > Manly Beach > Shelly Beach
Bourke Street Bakery, Brix & Beans Coffee House, Industry Beans York St, Dodee Paidang Haymarket
Circular Quay > Manly
Manly Beach, Shelly Beach
The Holdovers, Palace Central Cinemas
30,667 steps

Day Three: Sat, 13 January
29.9°C
La Renaissance Patisserie, George Street Food Gallery, Yayoi at Westfield Sydney
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Tacita Dean exhibition
Murrays Bus: Depart Sydney Central 5:00pm arrive Canberra Jolimont Centre 8:15pm
16,511 steps