KISHORE AND SMITA IYENGAR
Sydney and its charming surrounds make for a heady and varied experience.
Our delayed visas turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We just managed to escape a violent storm that hit the New South Wales Coast. “Cloudy skies with intermittent rains and showers” was the announcement our stewardess made on the direct non-stop flight to Sydney. We prayed fervently for clear weather… and we were rewarded!
Cool, crisp and exhilarating. We sized up the bracing weather, our room’s grand windows offering splendid views of the plush business district in Sydney bordering the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Our soulful dining experience at “Marque” that night can best be described as a culinary seduction. The other attractions of Sydney beckoned, as we zipped up to the top of the highest point, the Sydney Tower and the Oztrek 3D visual theatre. Breathtaking views of the city and beyond stilled our nerves.
High over the coastline
“Even a kid can scream with joy on this thing!” exclaimed our beaming Sydney Seaplanes pilot, heaving us over onto the amphibious wonder wings. We took off, well holstered, in the sea plane heading over jagged cliffs and pounding waves of Sydney’s coastline to the Kurin Gai Chase National Park and down to Cottage Point Inn, a fairy tale corner tucked into the wall sides of lush vegetation, for a hearty lunch lightened with cheery red wine. The revolving restaurant, “360 Dining and Bar” offers the most enthralling vistas of Sydney by night.
Duglass, our companion and escort, took us next to the Mecca of wine regions, Hunter Valley, two hours away. Wines, vineyards, wine tastings and wine pairings. It is Australia’s oldest wine region and we took in the visits with school-kid glee! A quick lunch at the breezy Italian-styled Café Enzo and then to Binnorie Dairy had us sampling delectable Hunter Cheeses by the effusive Simon Gough.
The next morning, as we drove past lush vineyards, we moistened our taste buds with Peter O’Meara’s velvet-smooth olive oils at Adina Vineyard, sampling each label with crostini, the Herb and garlic flavour bowling us over completely.
The evening colours changed with gleeful mirth as we strolled down the verdant lawns and vineyards of Peppers Convent, our cosy accommodation with a boutique touch. We dined at Hunter Valley’s most cherished fine dining address, “Roberts” within the Peppers Convent gardens. Over log fires and full-bodied Shiraz, smoked Red Snapper and soft Ravioli, we chatted about our unforgettable experiences in Hunter Valley.
Our next stop was five hours down smooth freeways and country lanes to the Natural World Heritage-listed destination, The Blue Mountains. Duglass drove up to the King’s Tableland, a stunning plateau with free-falling cliff limestone outcrops overlooking lush green hills and chilly winds.
The 75-degree incline cog wheel railway plunge down to the Jamieson Valley and the grand views of the mystical Three Sisters, a dramatic rock formation, millions of years old with an interesting Aboriginal legend, is an unforgettable experience. The captivating Boardwalk to the cable car station, then the steep ascent to the very top is equally breathtaking, while another lateral cable car adventure opens out wide angled views of the sprawling Blue Mountains and the valleys beyond.
Eco tour
Dinner at the celebrated “Darleys” fine dining restaurant was a heavenly affair, the impeccable tastes of French gastronomy and Australian specialities overwhelming our senses. Exploring the Blue Mountains World Heritage bush territory, our guide took great pains explaining the sensitive and delicately balanced ecological harmony, the concept behind the massive, regenerating bush fires in the region. It was a discovery and revelation like none we had ever encountered. Later that day, we sat transfixed in the theatre watching “The Edge”, a film on the Blue Mountains eco-system and its relevance to our existence on earth.
The delights of Sydney caught up with us as we explored the city’s unique attractions, from Paddington’s elitist designer wear and fashion trends to Paddy’s market with its affordable Chinese varieties in apparel, accessories, souvenirs and handicrafts, leather wear and more. An early dinner awaited us at “Kables”, with a well co-ordinated five course menu, excellent starters and a thrilling Pikes Shiraz 2003. Eric Wong ensures that the long patient queues outside his fabled Chinese restaurant “Golden Century” in Sydney’s Chinatown, are soon absorbed within his celebrated outlet where diners swear by his authentic delicacies, matched by a huge and wonderful wine dossier. Not far from the famous Four Seasons Hotel is Chef and Restaurateur par excellence Neil Perry’s highly rated fine dining place, “Rockpool”. Avant-garde cuisine blending East Asian flavours, Continental class and Australian delicacies in a smart fusion package opens out as over several courses. Neil is a much respected advisor, consultant and planner for Qantas in-flight first and business class cuisine and he looks after the training and grooming of Qantas staff that have won him honours and accolades worldwide. His creation of the “restaurant experience” on board is enhanced by his splendid wine selections. Rockpool’s dining experience is an extension of his passion for innovation and experimentation with flavours, tastes and gourmet sensitivities.
Aboard a sleek glistening sailing yacht, we took off from Rushcutter’s Bay to an experience of a life time. Our concluding experience was an “orchestrated” one, something we can never forget. Overlooking grand views of Circular Quay, the Harbour Bridge and the glittering business district, our table at “Guillaume at Bennelong”, the celebrated fine dining place at the Sydney Opera House, said it all. Over a memorable four-course dinner complemented with a handsome Poole’s Rock Lost Block Cabernet Sauvignon red, we wallowed in the grand facades, diffused lighting and impeccable décor, the soft symphony notes and hushed conversation.
Fitting conclusion
After the eclectic dinner at “Guillaume”, we went on to play! Yes, at the main Sydney Opera House concert hall, we settled to witness the world’s most unique music concert, “Play! A Video Game Symphony”. As ace music director and conductor Arnie Roth commanded the Sydney Symphony with classical renditions and contemporary improvisations to match and synergise with exciting digital images and virtual visuals on three giant screens, the thrill of some of the world’s most popular blockbuster video games came alive in dimensional glory as symphony paired with digital imagery and micro-precision acoustics to create magic never imagined or experienced before. It was sheer magnetism, absolute fantasy as teens, 20-somethings, middle-aged and septuagenarian admirers all cheered and applauded the unusual presentation lasting over two hours. It was an thrilling conclusion to a wonderful experience.