Of Experiences, Adventures And Travels: Sydney

Oh, Darling!

Besides Circular which is the main "jetty" for the Sydney Harbour, the other harbour one must not miss when one is in Sydney is the Darling Harbour. Darling Harbour is named after Lietenant Ralph Darling, a former governer of New South Wales.

Besides the few bays like Cockle Bay, King Street Wharf and Pyrmont Bay, the Darling Harbour area itself is a pedestrian street full of shopping and restaurants, as well as the attractions of Entertainment Centre, Casino, Madame Tussaud's, Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife Sydney, Maritime Museum and Powerhouse Museum.

Darling Harbour is just on the outskirts of Sydney city centre itself, and it is also a main stop on the monorail line, as well as accessible by the Metro Light Rail, commonly called the Tram. Hence Darling Harbour is a great area to explore!

I took a ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbour. Please bear in mind that although the Metro Light Rail is included in the weekly pass, that also includes all trains, buses and ferries, the monorail is not included. If one is to take the monorail, one has to pay for the trip. Hence I decided to take the ferry as the train does not stop exactly at Darling Harbour.

The ferry docked at King Street Wharf Three, passing by under the Harbour Bridge, Luna Park at Milsons Point, McMahon's Point, Balmain East Wharf, the ship models of the Maritime Museum, before finally reaching King Street Wharf.

Model ship outside the Maritime Museum

View of the Darling Harbour Walkway from King Street Wharf

I like this boat!

This is the Starship, a restaurant cum casino boat

Along the way I decided to stop for lunch, and saw a place at King Street Wharf selling Prime Cut Angues steak, with salad for just A$10.00!

My A$10.00 Angus Prime Cut Steak with salad

After lunch, I went to Madame Tussaud's and the Sydney Aquarium, before walking around Darling Harbour.

Battleship outside Maritime Museum

Marina at Pyrmont Bay

A little cute tram I came across but did not take as did not wish to pay for the short ride

The walkway of Cockle Bay

Classic semi-circular roof of Darling Harbour, which houses the Sydney Convention Centre

Cockle Bay Marina

Wildlife Sydney, Madame Tussaud's and Sydney Aquarium can be seen from the Darling Harbour Pedestrian Walkway

Darling Harbour Pedestrian Walkway, with the monorail track on top

This old-fashioned lamp post signifies one end of the Darling Harbour Pedestrian Walkway

It was a great trip and Darling Harbour is one of the more prominent landmarks of Sydney where people would go to explore. The things are not as expensive as Circular Quay, yet at the same time the place has more to offer in terms of exhibitions, whereas Circular Quay has more to offer in terms of historical and cultural.

So which is better? I would say go for both, since both has their own unique things to offer, and both places are covered under the same ticket, so why not? It would not take too long to explore both together!

Fish, Fish, Everywhere

After the trip to Madame Tussaud's, I went to the Sydney Aquarium, which is just next to Madame Tussaud's. I have been to the Sydney Aquarium twice, and have always been impressed by the place, but this time round, somehow I am not that impressed.

First, they were in the midst of closing Manly Seaworld, so shifting all the fish there to the Aquarium and going to rename it Sealife Sydney. Hence, some of the sections were undergoing renovation, like the dugongs which I did not manage to see.

Second, that particular day, for some reason, they were periodically shifting sharks out. So the section for the sharks were quite crowded. Still, I managed to see quite a number of sharks swimming above me.

Third, I did not manage to see any platypus, as they were all hiding somewhere. Which was a big disappointment because one does not leave Australia without even seeing a playtypus or two!

Overall, it was a disappointing trip to the Aquarium. Perhaps after all the renovations, it would be better? Unfortunately I probably went there at the wrong time. Maybe I should make a trip down to the refurbished Underwater World at Sentosa to see if that is better now, since the original Underwater World was built in the style of the Sydney Aquarium.

The only good thing is that I managed to see penguins, transparent jellyfish and Nemo! I guess kids would like this place much better. Maybe I have outgrown all these, hence did not feel that impressed, but that is just personal preference!

In any case, these are some of the fish and underwater creatures on display :

Little Penguin Parade

Jellyfish

Start of the underwater shark lair

Can you recognise Dory?

Can you see Nemo?

Another shark

And a very big fish

House Of Wax

I have always wanted to go to Madame Tussaud's. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to go there when I was in the United Kingdom a few years back, as we were only stopping over in London, hence did not get the chance to go places. Then my parents and brother made a trip to New York and they visited Madame Tussaud's in New York, but I just started my new job then and could not go along.

So when I found out that there is a Madame Tussaud's newly opened in Sydney, I knew I wanted to go there. Madame Tussaud's Sydney is at the same stretch of Darling Harbour next to the Sydney Aquarium and the Sydney Wildlife Centre. Plus if you buy a combination ticket, it is much cheaper than buying individual tickets. Hence I bought a two-in-one ticket for Madame Tussaud's and Sydney Aquarium.

Before I went to Madame Tussaud's Sydney, I checked out the figurines on display, and was excited about a few. When I went in there, the wax figures really looked like the real people! This Madame Tussaud's is categorised into a few sections - Entertainment, History, World Leaders, Sports Personalities, Medical and Science. Obviously most of the wax figures are prominent people of Australia. My favourite is the Entertainment section as quite a number of my favourite stars are included!

All in all, I was not disappointed. My first Madame Tussaud's experience is nice! My only gripe is that this one is a bit small. I could go in, see all the figurines in all the sections and out of the place in one hour maximum! I believe the one in London and New York is much bigger.

In any case, these are the figurines I came across :

1. First Section - Historical Great

This was an Aboriginal who fought for the rights of the Aborigines. Did not catch the name as it was too long to remember!

Captain Cook himself!

Ned Kelly, a famous Australian outlaw

Aviator Kingsford Smith, for whom Sydney Airport is named

Sister Mary MacKillop, who was conferred St Mary of the Cross, for whom St Mary's Cathedral is named

Not sure who this guy was but he was rather prominent in old Australian politics

2. Second Section - World Leaders

I am sure everyone can recognise these people, so there is no need for an introduction.

3. Third Section - Sports Stars

Most of these are local Australian sports personalities who are unknown to me, since I do not normally watch sports shows. I can only recognise two, incidentally the two best looking ones! :-P

First good-looker - Mark Webber

Second good-looker - Ian Thorpe

4. Fourth Section - Music / Pop Stars

This section consists of famous singers, many of them Australians but there are some famous ones that are not.

Recognise her? Olivia Newton-John in her Grease attire!

Rihanna

Kylie Minogue

The famous King of Pop himself!

After this section, there is an entire room honouring Madame Tussaud herself, and the process of making the wax figures. Examples shown is how to make the bust of Beyonce Knowles and Will Smith.

Madame Tussaud herself

Making of a wax figure

Recognise the face of Beyonce Knowles?

And that of Will Smith?

5. Fifth Section - Cultural Personalities

These were the people who had contributed someway to the culture of arts, science and heritage.

An Aboriginal who wrote and promoted Aborigine culture

Banjo Paterson, writer and poet who wrote about the Australian outback

Henry Lawson, colonial writer and poet

Albert Einstein (duh!)

Dr Victor Chang, leading Australian heart surgeon

6. Sixth Section - TV Personalities

Besides Oprah Winfrey, I am not familiar with the rest as they are mostly the stars and hosts of local Australian shows.

7. Seventh Section - Film Stars

Included are some notable Australian film stars, or those who originated from Australia, like my favourite Hugh Jackman and the late Heath Ledger. There is also a Bollywood section.

One of my favourite actresses from one of my favourite movies

Alfred Hitchcock and his horror films

Recognise her? Toni Collette

Recognise him? He was Incredible Hulk, the Trojan prince, King Henry VIII and the Time Traveller all in one

No introduction to him!

One of the few Bollywood stars

Recognise him? Amitabh Bachchan

E.T., phone home

Iron Man

Mel Gibson, in one of his earlier shows in his younger days

My favourite Wolverine!

Crocodile Dundee himself

The late Heath Ledger

I am surprised why the next one is included. Technically she is not really a film star, but I guess she was included as one of the more famous Australians around.