Guide to being a tourist in Sydney

Of all the international places I have visited in my life, none feel more like home than Australia.  The accents are different and they drive on the left side of the road, but the people and the overall personality of Sydney is quite similar to the American lifestyle. 

Sydney is not filled with an overwhelming number of historic sites and must-see tourist attractions, which actually made my trip seem more relaxed.  I was able to enjoy the city like a local without feeling obligated to take pictures around every corner. 

The one tourist attraction that is absolutely worth visiting is the iconic Opera House. The Opera house sits at the tip of Bennelong Point and is, in my opinion, the only building that provides an identity to Sydney. There is a long list of performances each week, but none particularly appealed to me so I opted for a guided tour instead. The tour was really interesting and provided a lot of great facts.  Being a numbers guy, I was particularly impressed with the information that the roof contains over 1 million pieces of tile and that there are actually 1,000 rooms in the building (mostly underground).  

I was lucky enough to get a direct view of the Opera House whenever I looked out the window of my hotel, which continued to 'wow' me throughout my two week trip.  

View of the Opera House at dusk

The weather during the autumn season in Sydney is really nice, and I was lucky to get some beach weather for Good Friday. I boarded a ferry at Circular Quay and enjoyed the quick, 30-minute trip to the Northern coast.  Even though Manly can also be reached by car, the ferry is perhaps the best way to ease one's mind into relaxation mode (not to mention incredible views).  

View of Sydney from the ferry to Manly

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Coastline near Manly Wharf

From the Ferry terminal to the beach, you walk through a pedestrian-only street lined with souvenir shops, fish & chip takeaway restaurants, and a surprisingly large number of pharmacies. Despite being so close to the city, I felt like I was in a completely different world. 

Pedestrian street between Manly Wharf and the beach

Manly Beach on Good Friday, 2014

In my opinion, a major city with such easy access to resort-style beach environments is a rare treasure.  I was lucky enough to live in one of these cities (Barcelona) and I hope to one day return to a place where I can enjoy the amenities of both a big city and also a relaxing vacation atmosphere.  (I know Chicago has beaches but it certainly does not feel like vacation when cars are whizzing by on Lake Shore Drive and the cold weather makes them virtually inaccessible for 8 months per year). 

Anyhow, I digress. Back to Manly beach...

So I was walking down the boardwalk and I noticed a crowd starting to form up ahead.  I asked someone what was happening and was told that the the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were planning to visit. I decided to wait and it turned out to be an excellent decision because I ended up with almost a front row seat.  

Kate is even more stunning in person and she definitely took the spotlight.  Both she and Will watched a lifesaving demonstration and spoke with young lifeguards who seemed completely relaxed about the entire experience.  Only two days had passed since my run-in with Hollywood celebrities, so I was feeling pretty good about my celebrity magnet in Australia! 

Kate runs across the beach in high heel shoes

Prince william meets some lifeguards before a demonstration

My favorite area of Sydney is The Rocks, which is the most historic area of the city.  Many of the buildings have retained their original facades and it was fun to imagine what life must have been like before Sydney became a sprawling urban hub.  These days, The Rocks is home to many restaurants, bars, and specialty shops.  

The old Police Station in The Rocks

Al Fresco dining in The Rocks

The Sailors' Home was adjacent to the Harbour

Sydney also offers a lot of shopping options but none of them are a haven for bargain hunters.  There is a large mall in the center of the city for anyone who likes chain stores, but I spent my time at the local designer boutiques in Paddington.  Sure, the prices are higher, but the quality of construction and unique designs completely justify the cost.  Paddington also hosts a weekly market and everyone was incredibly friendly (especially once they heard my American accent).  

Weekend market in Paddington

Boutique shopping in Paddington

One tourist attraction that I think can easily be avoided is the Harbour Bridge Climb, which charges upwards of $350 for the opportunity to wear a hilarious jumpsuit and climb over the bridge on a narrow catwalk.  Throughout the day, I saw groups of people climbing up the steps like lines of ants and it did not look fun to me at all.  Instead, I climbed one of the four Pylons for a similar view of the harbor.  This option allows everyone to wear their own clothes and carry cameras with them.

Looking up at the bridge from the walking path along

View of Circular Quay and Sydney CBD from the Harbour Bridge

One morning at breakfast, I overheard some New Yorkers exclaiming how they found Sydney to be boring.  They all agreed that it is possible to see everything in a single day and I just rolled my eyes because I feel like they completely missed the subtle appeal of the city.  In my opinion, the key to enjoying Sydney is to open your eyes and discover the hidden gems that are not listed in the guide books.  Talk to people at the street markets, enjoy the views from the ferry, and wake up early to run through Hyde park.

Sydney is consistently rated among the best in the world for quality of life and I could not agree more.  Although I only spent two weeks in the city, it was such a pleasure to live like a local. 

Kuala Lumpur

Before the Malaysian Airline flight disappearance, had most people even heard of Kuala Lumpur?  Other than the Petronas Twin Towers, I knew nothing. The city is well-connected to Singapore via bus, so I saw it as a great excuse to spend a couple days there at the end of my vacation.    

I first visited Batu Caves, which is a religious site of Hindu temples that are guarded by a giant statue of Murugan (god of war).  By the way, I don't use the term 'giant' lightly:

At over 40 meters tall, this is the biggest Murugan statue in the world

The caves are on the northern edge of the city, but they are easily reached by train or taxi. As a lover of public transportation, I obviously took the train.  

The climb is a steep 272 steps, but I stopped frequently to check out the statue and the boring view (and also to avoid sweating profusely in the ridiculous humidity). 

Aside from the caves, there is not much else to see in this area

The caves, themselves, were interesting to see.  There is a dark cave on the left side, which offers a guided tour and is worth the admission fee. The guides talk about the animal/plant habitat and continuous conservation efforts. 

The main cave houses several hindu temples and drawings.  There were some religious ceremonies happening when I visited, but none last very long and the entire site doesn't require more than an hour to see.  

Gate at the top of the staircase

This is what the main cave looks like inside

One of the temples in the cave

On the way back down, I noticed the infamous monkeys (not sure how I missed them while I was going up).  These monkeys act like they own the staircase and their actions are totally unpredictable.  One moment, they are sitting nicely. The next moment, they are running up the railing and stealing food from people.  I stayed far away, although I did notice a mama with a tiny baby that just held on while she climbed around. 

The next generation of creepy monkeys!

There are some more temples at the bottom of the staircase that are also worth a quick visit.  They were doing some sort of statue-cleaning ceremony when I was there but I got bored after a a few minutes of atonal music and prayers.  

On my way back to the city, I noticed some tired women on the train that made me laugh. 

Malaysian signature sleeping pose!

There are several interesting buildings to check out near the city center, which include the old train station and the national mosque.    I was amazed by the architecture of the train station, which looked very Moorish and completely out-of-place in Asia. The building now houses administrative offices. 

Old train station in Kuala Lumpur

Near to the train station is the national mosque, which is straight out of the 70's in its design.  It's almost comedic.

Exterior of the Malaysian National Mosque

I was happy that they allow non-muslims to enter the prayer area

By this point in the trip, I really started feeling like I was in the middle east.  Malaysia is a Muslim country, but I didn't realize just how different it would be from places like Thailand and Vietnam.  A lot of women wear scarves on their heads, most people have a darker skin complexion than other parts of Asia, and the architecture has a strong Middle-Eastern influence. 

Ironically, the country's tag line is: "Malaysia - Truly Asia".  It makes me wonder if this was a deliberate response to a perception that Malaysia is unlike other countries in the region. 

I'm not sure I agree with this slogan

A modern city emerges in the background

Another well-known area worth visiting in KL is Chinatown.  Petaling street is famous for its cheap goods (I use the word cheap in reference to quality, not price).  

Main gate at one end of Petaling Street in Chinatown

I fully intended on trying some street food in Chinatown, but I just couldn't bring myself to take the risk.  Regardless, it was fun to witness the activity and the types of items on offer.

If you like Kebabs, this is the place to be

A street food vendor prepares hot pots for hungry customers

The majority of luxury hotels and business offices are located in the City Center district, which looks like any other big city I have seen. The speed of development is quite evident in this area, where cranes seem to outnumber existing buildings. 

KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Center)

Perhaps the biggest (and certainly the most iconic) tourist attraction in Kuala Lumpur is the Petronas Twin Towers.  I may care more about architecture than the average person, but I think anyone would find these towers impressive - especially at night, when the buildings are lit up.  

Towers glisten as the sun begins to set

What's inside the towers, you ask?  There is an observation floor at the top (with a pretty hefty admission price), offices throughout the bulk of the building, and a large shopping mall in the bottom four floors.  

I was actually somewhat surprised to see that there was no security, whatsoever, to enter the building.  In India, you can't even walk inside a suburban hotel without passing through a metal detector, but anyone can enter Malaysia's most recognizable building without even a glance.  

The towers literally light up the night sky

Every time I passed the Petronas Towers, there was a group of people taking "selfies" in front of the building.  Although I normally hate such a narcissistic activity, I got caught up in the excitement...

A rare selfie in front of the towers

I really enjoyed Kuala Lumpur - not because it is "truly Asia" but because it "truly" redefines the stereotypes of Asia.  Local cuisine incorporates so many different cultures and offers such a memorable flavor palette.  My favorite Malaysian dish, Beef Rendang, is made with coconut milk, lemongrass, and curry (among other ingredients).  Seriously, where else in Asia will you find such an interesting combination of flavors?  

The mix of cultures is also evident in the architecture, the people, and even the fashion.  Kuala Lumpur may be on people's radars because of the recent airline tragedy, but it also deserves attention as a country worth visiting.  

Christmas gifts for a professional traveler

For most normal people, a night of sleep in their own bed or an evening out with friends is nothing to get excited about.  For a professional traveler, however, these things are pretty nice gifts. I didn't have a very long Christmas list this year, but I must have been good because I got everything I wanted.  Here are my favorites:  

1) A flight upgrade

My first Christmas gift this year was from American Airlines in the form of a business-class upgrade from Paris to New York.  What a great way to start a vacation!

The experience of flying in the premium cabin really makes a huge difference in international flights - especially for someone who can't sleep sitting up.  I didn't catch any z's on the flight but it was still nice to fully recline and close my eyes for a bit.  The food is also a major upgrade. After a glass of champagne to start the trip, I had a four-course lunch that wasn't served in a foil container, and even included a custom ice-cream sundae for dessert.  

For some reason, American Airlines continues to fly planes to Europe without personal entertainment devices in coach class, so the most important benefit of this upgrade was actually being able to choose movies and shows to watch.  This may seem like a small point, but entertainment is important on an 8-hour flight!

2) A personal airport pick-up

My parents always pick me up at the airport when I come home, which is so much nicer than searching for a stranger holding a sign with the name of my hotel or sitting in the back of a taxi.   

I certainly don't have a problem with being chauffeured around in a luxury sedan to my hotels, but it's so much better when you can spend the ride with people you care about. 

3) My own bed

Hotels are almost like a home for me, but I still enjoy the sense of ease that accompanies my own bed.  I don't have to worry about the dirty people who have stayed in my room before me or whether I will find a strand of the housekeeper's hair in the sheets.  Even though I love having people to clean for me when I am living in hotels, there is a certain level of comfort that simply cannot be achieved unless I am at home.  

4) Time with family and friends

Often, my trips back home are too short to see everyone that I would like to catch up with.  This time, I was lucky enough to have two weeks off, which even allowed me with a couple nights to just relax at home without feeling guilty that I was squandering time that could have otherwise been spent seeing more people. 

5) Christmas Eve traditions

Every year, Christmas eve involves a carefully-orchestrated series of events that should never be altered.  I join my mom at church, which is followed by take-out Chinese/Japanese food with my family.  (This year, I was tired of eating out for every meal so I just paired some appetizers with a simple salad).  

After dinner, I meet up with all my high school friends at the annual Christmas Eve party.  Normally, we are confined to a side room with the most perfectly decorated tree I have ever seen.  This year, however, we were re-assigned to the dining room table, which allowed for much easier access to the desserts and alcohol.  :)

The after-party is a more recent tradition where only the most hearty souls head to another home for late-night libations.  Even though it wreaks havoc on Christmas morning, I feel like a younger version of myself when I can stay up with friends until after 3AM. 

6) A united family

I'm lucky that my extended family enjoys being home for Christmas just as much as I do.  My cousins are spread around the United States (Denver, Washington DC, New York and Boston), yet we all managed to see each other on Christmas Day.  

Annual cousin picture

Beyond just coming together physically, I am lucky that everyone on both sides of the extended family gets along with one another. There are no awkward conversations at the table or subtle insults throughout the meal.  

My brother hosted Christmas at his house, which is ideal for parties because of the open floor plan, two built-in bars, billiard room, and central speaker system that plays music everywhere.  We also discovered the "Heads Up" ipad app, which provided hours of fun as the "youngs" and the "olds" battled it out.  

7) Travel-themed gifts

Let's just face it.  I live out of a suitcase, so I obviously don't need furniture, housewares, or any other gifts that most people my age are finding under the tree these days.   

I figured that new luggage would make for a good gift but I am very specific.  It has to be black, sleek, well-branded, and lighter than what I currently use.  Otherwise, there's no point in updating.   My mom and I spent one afternoon at the mall and we must have looked like crazy people as we picked up every suitcase to inspect the weight and size dimensions like we were searching for a new home.  I suppose my suitcase is like a home since it transports all of my belongings for 3-4 months at a time.  I was so excited to find with one that fit all the qualifications...and with wheels that spin in complete circles.  Score! 

Another gift that only professional travelers would appreciate is metal collar-stays.  Most people have probably never even heard of these, but it is important when the laundry people are constantly losing the plastic ones that come with my shirts.  I can't have my collars flapping around all day!
  
8) A gym membership

Some people need coffee as part of their daily routine.  I need a work-out.  My mom knows this about me, so she always gets me a temporary gym membership when I come home.  Honestly, this means the world to me - especially during the holidays, when I have even more calories to burn.  

It's also a gift to be able to wake up whenever I want and not have to rush to the gym for an abbreviated workout before starting my day.  Throughout my break, I had very leisurely mornings and I often didn't even make it to the gym until around noon.  I know I'm a little nutty for thinking that a vacation should involve MORE time at the gym, but it felt like an adult playground next to the limited equipment options I usually have to deal with on the road.    

9) My own car

When I am traveling for work, I never have access to a car.  It's just too complicated to navigate the roads, so I normally just walk or take taxis whenever I want to go out.  I haven't owned a car since around 2005, so I am well accustomed to this type of transport.  

Having said that, I still really enjoy the freedom to drive myself around with my own car.  Whenever I visit my parents, I get to use one of their extra cars and it is a gift that I will never take for granted.  Part of me feels like I'm on vacation when I can just turn on the music and sing aloud.  I certainly can't do that when I'm riding in the back of a taxi (without people thinking I'm crazy).

10) A snowstorm

I grew up in New England.  Christmas is just not the same without some snow. The weather was surprisingly warm during the first few days of my vacation, but we got a decent storm just after the new year.  The white stuff made my winter vacation feel complete!  

11) Freedom to control what I eat


When I travel, I can't just call room service and ask for a handful of cashews or a granola bar.  I am always forced to accommodate my schedule to that of the local team, and this means no snacking and meals whenever they normally eat.  Even at dinner (when I normally don't eat too much), the waiters always look at me funny when I order just a piece of grilled meat/fish without any sides. "Steamed" vegetables always seem to be laden with oil but I don't have the audacity to instruct the chefs about how I want my food prepared.  

My preferred eating habits have always involved 5 small meals per day, including small snacks whenever I get bored/hungry.  I cook things with very little oil, eat dairy products without any fat, and avoid anything deep-fried.  

Being home is like a gift to my digestive system because I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want.  My body was not too happy about all the excess desserts over the past two weeks, but it's the holidays after all!  Fortunately, almost everything else I ate was much more healthy than I am able to find when I travel.       

12) Fond Farewell

Whenever I finish a work assignment, the local teams must be secretly happy for me to be gone.  (Sometimes it's not such a secret!)  I don't blame them because I am always a huge disruption to their normal operations while I ask questions and pry into their work.  

Trips back home are a completely different feeling, as my friends and family genuinely seem happy to have me back.  At the end of every night out, we discuss when I will be back and it always seems like too long.  For me, a fond farewell is like the wrapping paper on a gift.  It seals the memories of all that exists inside, while also making you want to tear back in and discover the contents of the package.  

This Christmas couldn't have been better and the memories of my gifts will surely come along with me to my next travel destinations.