EAT: The Ivy Bar, Sydney

“…When you tell a Brit there’s a rooftop pool with a cocktail bar attached to it…you can guarantee attendance …”

Locate me: The Ivy is tucked down the alley of 330 George Street, 
2 minutes from Martin Place Station.
Arrive before 10 and avoid the $20 charge

You can choose between two entrances. Which ever one you choose, you’re going to be blown away.

Stairway One…

Leads you to the Main Bar. The space is huge and caters to any manner of taste:

The big sofa’s to chill out on

The dance floor

The outside/inside courts

Eat some Thai or simply take a seat on one of the balconies

You can relax or move in a variety of comforts. Yah, it’s cool, but it’s also very corporate. If you go between 7 and 9  the atmosphere is buzzing. The suits are looking good and the evening has that happy Friday feeling. Past 10 it takes on a club vibe and a different style of dressed attitude to accompany the scene.

I prefer the early hours when the nights just kicking off, whatever your mood or taste – come and have a look. Dress a little nice, too, its that kind of place.

Stairway Two…

You’re now in the pool.

Need I say more?

More you say? There’s a regular happy hour kicking off at 5-7pm.

For further details please see: http://merivale.com.au/ivy
READ ON: Cocktail bar Sydney (australia123business.wordpress.com)

PRODUCT: A GIFT FOR HER ON THE ROAD?

“Its a light weight treasure when you’re far from home”

For those with family or friends on the road, you may be wondering what kind of gift to post. You need to consider something that’ll be light for them to carry around and a gift that has thought in it – preferably something useful, too! 

As my 25^th birthday presented itself I found a little package with all these buzz words. Here’s a little inspiration to make someone’s day (year!) when on the road.

The Body Shop: Luxury Travel Gifts For Her

Body Butter

Perfume

Perfume

 Shower Gel

 A Letter

Never underestimate that old fashioned way of getting in touch. It’s a light weight treasure when you’re far from home.

Related Articles

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter (ridaomersblog.wordpress.com)

My favourite scents (verityrose555.wordpress.com)

GAME: Letting it Slip…

As a rule, noting down those things people say that make you smile can prove completely brilliant, especially when you look back a little while later!

Here’s a list of quotes from Gran Canaria that make me cry with laughter. Have a smile, have a good read…

“We’ll be landing in…oh Las Palmas, nearly forgot where we were going then!”

- Pilot on Easy Jet 20 minutes before landing.

Rob:

“I call it a Rob-Special with ham and a bit of cheese.”

Me:

“You mean a ham and cheese sandwich?” 

Vicky:

“Don’t deny it; everyone’s had a bit of dirt”

Mentor:

“There’s a lot of agua de viva”

- Our first warning of jelly fish, the life of the sea.

Katie:

“I feel really privileged”

- In response to the Internet Café at 2 euros for 100 minutes, just around the corner.

Justine:

“But what if they’re really hungry?”

- In conversation to those fish eating your feet.

Justine:

“You bring the saucepan, I’ll provide the heat”

- On making coffee, it turned out.

Rob:

“You know they should really give instructions for warming up noowtella. 2 minutes in the microwave just isn’t good – trust me. “

- A very serious thought from Rob on heating up Nutella, which he pronounces noowtella. Is it the Irish roots?

Justine:

“Will you sit down!”

- Many a tragic story from Justine for our entertainment, which will never be told on this blog…

Kat:

“I have so much happiness in my cheeks”

- How to explain puffy cheeks.

Katie:

“Sometimes I dream about sleeping, I love sleeping”

Justine:

“You gotta die of something; it may as well be deep fried mushrooms”

- After a good meal out with tapas.

Laura:

“Have you read the hungry cater-pillar backwards so it looks anorexic?”

 

TAKE ME THERE: RVN TRAVEL SHOWCASES NEW LOOK

RVN Travel announces their new look here! Showcasing a collection of vibrant photography,  toe curling documentaries and know-how tips for our treasured travelling world.

RVN Travel invites you to share your footage and memories with others around the globe.

 We couldn’t be more excited for this new team!

Get talking and sharing with RVN Travel

Also Take a Peek At… 

Photos win top travel award for ‘unique vision’ (nzherald.co.nz)

Travel Photography Portfolio (roselinde.wordpress.com)

MASCOT: You do know there’s a bear in your bag?

A good friend of mine stopped, quiet concerned,  to ask:

“you do know there’s a bear in your bag?”

Oh the silly Germans.

Paddington Bear gave her a little fright. Why would a grown woman be carrying a bear to the beach and then take photo’s of him?

Erm…

This serious question only became more confusing when Germany saw other people at the beach, with their bears, taking photos. Somewhere in the UK someone decided it was hilarious, and acceptable, to do this. I’ve never  questioned having Paddy with me on the road. In fact I think he rather enjoys it.

Here he is at Cronulla about to pop in the sea!

Related Articles You Can Read On… 

Where Paddington came from (papaminx.wordpress.com)

Maybe he thought it was Paddington: Brown bear caught on camera as it tries to break into Russian railway station (thisismoney.co.uk)

Marmalade and Rain (vexulious.wordpress.com)

 

EAT: ONE DOLLAR FOOD SHOP IN SYDNEY

This has been a hot topic over the last few months, aside from everything else that’s expensive in Sydney, food shopping is an important one. Why? By the end of it all you have to eat and no amount of thrifty budgeting will excuse this fact.

You can be a little more smart about it though, as long as you know where to go. Here are a few areas I have sussed out to make my weekly shop for lunch, dinner and snacks a little more friendly to my dear old friend: bank account.

The weekly shop starts on Sunday in preparation for whats to come.

Ever Safe… Coles: Bulky Bits

For bulk items: jars, milk, bread, meat. Go to Coles, find one near you whether its on your lunch break or going home from work – pop in and grab the bits you need. Only use a basket – remember you have to carry this stuff home. Take a backpack, too. Heavy loading sucks. I’ve found the other stores are samey but more pricey. Frankton is near me and their range isn’t as good or as nicely priced!

Slightly in love with… Paddy’s Market: Fruit & Veg

Utterly in love with this place. The market is stuffed with colour and that super fresh feel. Don’t get me wrong, there are some bruised, yucky sections but the place is so massive just keep walking round until you find the quality you want. It won’t take long.

They tend to do deals of: 3 bags of veg for $5. You can grab courgettes, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, corn on the cob, green beans….This is better earlier in the day as its fresher.

At the end of the day stop in -  the market is flogging everything, screaming: “ONEEEEEEE DOLLLAARRRRRR!” the crowds are massive, the old women ram you with their buggies and the experience is hectic and I LOVED IT!

There’s also this incredible herb and spice section, I sigh every time I see it. There’s something you shouldn’t admit! Colour -  colour – colour. Its just authentic and a bit more exciting than buying a jar. More practical? Probably not.

Any other recommendations very welcome!

Also Read Up On…

What I do in Sydney? (meganchiew.wordpress.com)

Courgette, Sundried Tomato and Feta Cheese Muffins (storminakteacup.wordpress.com)

Recipe: Chorizo Cauliflower Rice (citytosticks.com)

GAME: The things you notice far far away

It has come to be that the further I  go from home the more I notice those nick-knacks I actually really adore; things I had no idea to appreciate. One of the best things about travel is to get out of your ordinary comfort zone and take a look from the outside, ’cause you might just find your missing what’s right in front of you.

Here are a few pieces I miss from the UK, things I never really cared about in fact! Do you miss any bizarre things from home?

1. Castles

I stayed with an Australian farmer who is now approaching his 70′s and he has never seen or been in a castle. This is on his wish list. How strange to hear, as my family holidays often evolved around old haggled history and what a luxury this experience is (surprised me I can tell you!).

2. Cobbled Streets

This is a strange one, but there is something about the uneven, rocky road that gives so much character to a place. Here in Sydney its all plain tarmac and easy walks. Oh to be stuck in the stones again!

3. Snow

Although I would wish for this treat just for one day, there have been endless photo’s of snowball fights and mayhem in the UK and I do secretly wish to be with my family making a snowman. But then I look at the warm, blue skies here and its a sort of flip-sided wish!

EAT: Did you go to Doyle’s? The famous chippy on Watsons Bay!

It has come highly recommended and seems some how illegal to visit Watsons Bay without grabbing a box of fish and chips from Doyle’s restaurant. 

 

Sydneysiders rave about this eatery, but why?

Because, darling, its all about location. Situated on the edge of Watsons Bay, offering you something rather magical before you depart back to Sydney’s busy city. You see, when the sun sets in the distance – beyond the great ocean -  dipping behind the arching harbour bridge you can snuggle into some messy dinner and a beer with the sea salt still in your hair and a cosy cardigan wrapped around you. Choosing to sit in the restaurant or the beach beside the dock. 

It’s one of those things you do that makes the evening finish on a corny but very beautiful note, as you nuzzle down your fishy and chippy. It doesn’t come cheap, as nothing does in Watson Bay, setting you back $13. Do ask for salt and vinegar on your chips. Lemon and (oddly) a sachet of hot plum sauce is provided, otherwise this meal is rather bland and no view can make up for poopie food.

If there isn’t enough reason to visit this stunning coastal gem, its Doyle’s. A restaurant that has been open since 1885… when Australia itself just opened for business!

For More Info. See: http://www.doyles.com.au/ 

*All images are from Google. I forgot to snap this one!

EAT: Dunbar House – Pomp and Circumstance. Its very British.

As you may have read from the recent review, “Take me there: Watsons Bay” , there’s a cluster of over -priced eateries in this beautiful bay just 20 minutes from Sydney’s city.

One of these delightful jaunts is called:  “The Dunbar House.” 

Think wicker chairs, freshly mopped chequered flooring, pillars upon entry and classic old china tea pots. It screams British pomp and circumstance but its Australian and the view to boot is a far cry from England.

Personally I would get the ferry over from Circular Quay and brunch here. Make a reservation though, it gets pretty jam packed.

For more information please see:

http://www.dunbarhouse.com.au/#home
Brunch = $10 – $20 Lunch = $20- $30

It reeks of grandeur and if you like that ‘lardy dar’ feel (as we all do on occasion!) then this is the place to go. You won’t be disappointed with the vibe or the service.  Alternatively if you’d like the same grub and a matching view at a more low key establishment, try The Tea Gardens Cafe.

Also Read On…

• Watson’s Bay Wedding at Dunbar House from Rosalie Sweeney Photography (stylemepretty.com)
• Take Me There: Watsons Bay, Sydney (nataliereviews.wordpress.com)
• Graduation Gift Ideas: Let the Pomp & Circumstance Begin! (jewelrygalblog.com)

GAME: What’s your airplane seat strategy?

Recently Cricket’s Aunty posted “The most preferred airplane seat is…” showing just how picky we are when it comes to placing our bums on an airplane.

I hate to admit it, but for the last year my airplane seat strategy has been pretty specific:

Aisle seat  - easy access to the loo.  Never on the wing of a plane – too jumpy. Usually not near the front, but somewhere middle to back.

After a fluffy debate with a friend they convinced me to shake up my weird strategic seating. I opted for the window seat instead, notice how nobody chooses the middle seat? The added bonus to this seat, other than the view, is the lean. You know what I’m talking about. It makes sleeping on the plane a fraction more comfortable, you can just about scrump up into the fetal position, lean to your side of the plane and tuck into that thin blanket.

So fess up guys, whats your seating strategy? Would you break it on your next flight?

Also Read On 

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