Art Gallery of NSW

After a bit of culture? A bit of inspiration through art? WE either love art galleries or hate them. I am a lover of art galleries, I've been to some of the most famous ones in Europe, the UK, Singapore and China. Dont be too quick to dismiss how awesome our art galleries are in Australia. I think going to art galleries in AUstralia in an experience in its entirety. That is, the grounds of our art galleries are always stunning, and most them are situation with a far bit of land around them, allowing for a lovely stroll to take in the surrounds.

The Art Gallery of NSW is just beautiful. Set amongst the outskirts of the city centre, it gently falls onto the botanical gardens.

Most Sydney siders don't visit as frequently as they should, or, haven't visited at all.

You don't need a full day to visit, but I would save a good half day - Walk to the gallery from Hyde Park in Sydney - Its a lovely walk.

What's even better - if you're on a budget - It's free to enter!However, if there is a specific exhibition on, there is normally a charge to view.

My favourite thing is the Auslan guided tours. Check the galleries website for dates and times.

www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

Hot Bodhi

Combine to awesome things...

1. Yum Cha
2. Vegan food

...and you get Bodhi.  Tucked away in a pocket in front of St Mary's Cathedral and the aquatic Centre in Sydney is a charming a delicious venue that you may miss, if someone didn't tell you it existed. the indoor-outdoor restaurant is always a buzz as people sit and enjoy the small parcels of tastey food that grace by them on mini carts.

For those who are not familiar with Yum Cha, it is (and dont quote me 100%) a Cantonese traditional meal/serving. Coming from the southern end of China and Hong Kong (if my memormy serves me to be correct), trays of steamed Dim Sums and mini buns and dumplings are on offer. you just pick what you feel like eating and enjoy.

The joy of Yum Cha is that it is a social event, similar to Spanish Tapas, it is a meal best shared. The only down side it that most Yum Cha is full of meat and animal by-products. So this is why Bodhi is such a 'win' for me! Its 100%Vegetarian with a massive amount of vegan options.

As Yum Cha is traditionally servered during the day (think of it as a Chinese high tea) the restruant changes the menu at night still 100% veggie/vegan.

OH - did I mentioned how good the cocktails are too? Amazing!

This place is awesome in the late afternoon and summer nights, put it into your calendar!

For more information look at their website here -  www.bodhi.id.au

Around Beijing

Every traveler from time to time craves a bit of the familiar. Whether it bed food, sweet treats, people or music, there is always something that is nice to re-visit. If you start feeling this way in Beijing (which is hard because there is so much to take in), then head towards to Lotus Lane.

The best way for me to describe what Lotus lane is like, is similar to Darling Harbour in Sydney. It is an ‘area’ more than a lane that sits around Qianhai Lake. 

At night it is buzzing, an electric light show of lasers and nightclub strobes – street food and countless restaurants, during the day it is the complete opposite, and it made me question if I was in the same place when I saw it in daylight. 

We had some cocktails the night before – they were OK – potent. One cocktail was like drinking two, alcohol wise. We didn’t eat here as there are many more interesting and cheaper places to eat in Beijing. But the buzz of the atmosphere and people watching is a great way to start a night.

It is OVER PRICED. We stopped at a tea house during the day for some green tea – 500RMB for a pot! (about $78AUD) ARE YOU SERIOUS?

 

Bowral - Tulip Time and the parade

From the 18th of September to the 1st of October Bowral, in the Southern Highlands, springs to life (Spring pun intended hahaha) for the annual Tulip Festival.

The town becomes a wash of colour as everyone welcomes in the change of season. The festival has been running for a few years - starting back in 1958, the town pride for this event is overwhelming beautiful.

The open gardens (there is an entry fee of $10 pp) are carefully manicured with row upon row of delicate flowers. Carefully selected and placed into geometric shapes and pattens.

Markets venders line the side streets selling trinkets and home made produce, and like any market completely stimulate all of your senses. Scattered throughout the town you will find buskers jamming out and entertaining the crowds.

The highlight of the day is the town parade that takes place in the high street Bong Bong. It starts at around 3pm and pays respect to the town members. Vintage cars, local shop owners, businesses and even a marching band proudly stroll down the high street waves and smiling at onlookers.

I have mentioned Bowral once before in my blog, its still not a place that many people would think to visit. But I highly recommend it. Its is a nice weekend escape from Sydney (about a 2.5hour drive) giving you the best of the relaxed country lifestyle that it is so famous for.

 

Yuyuan Garden - Shanghai

In the Old Town of Shanghai you will find Yuyuan Garden (it also goes by the name of Yu Garden) The garden / residence started it construction in the Ming dynasty around 1560 by the Pan family. The garden is guarded by a 'dragon wall' that snakes its way around the tops of the 6 different sections.

1. Inner Garden
2. Huijing Hall
3. Yuhua Hall 
4. Wanhua Chamber
5. Sansui Hall
6. Dianchun Hal

When you're in China, gardens can tend to get boarding after looking at the 6th, 7th and 8th one... but I really enjoyed walking through this one and seeing the beautiful ponds, architecture, design and the 'living fossil' trees, hundreds of yeas old that stand tall and proud. The garden is also well know for the large jade boulder which sits in front of the hall. The gardens are inexpensive to visit and great for photo's We paid 40 RMB (about $6AUD) for entry and it took us a good 60-90min to stroll through.  

Steping back in time

飲茶 - or Yum cha is a traditional Chinese late morning/afternoon tea - Its basically the Chinese equivalent of high tea - and its super yummy! If you have never been to Yum cha, I suggest you go. It is very popular in Western countries and often found at many Chinese restaurants. Yum cha is traditionally more Cantonese and can be found more prominently around the southern areas of China and also Hong Kong.

We are in Shanghai's 'Old Town'. As the name implies it is an old part of the city that is encased in a somewhat circular wall and is home to some impressive architecture dating to the Ming and the Qing dynasty. Inside you will find a bustling commercial hub of market and food stalls. It buzzes with atmosphere, and while some tourist do not like this area, I found it to be sensory stimulating and taste bud tantalizing.


We had yum cha in a local restaurant over looking the water in the centre of the small city. Everything is in Chinese characters - so If your happy to point and eat, then go for it! Lucky for us, out friend, Emma, was able to communicate for us - ordering me some vegetarian dishes and Rani and Jarreth some steam soup pork buns (pictured with the straw below) It was very inexpensive for 4 of use our total Yum cha bill was well under 100 RMB ($15AUD total. If you love shopping and love a bargain - then you will also love this area! The markets are full of trinkets and souvenirs for you to purchase and barter for.


Getting there is easy - there are plenty of buses that go past here. The red tourist sight seeing bus goes through this area also. Taxis - CHEAP! To get a taxi from East Nanjing Road was about 15 RMB ($2.30AUD) I recommend a Taxi purely because we came here towards the end of our stay in Shanghai and I was tired - Lazy I know!