First Sydney Trip, Ever

Hi everyone!

I must say, that the last few months went by way too quickly... What has everyone been up to? My life has been pretty exciting to be honest... I even went to Sydney for the first time in my life! You may all think it's a joke... Been living on the Gold Coast for 18 years and have never travelled to another city which is only like an hour away by plane. 

SO YES, I FINALLY WENT TO SYDNEY.

It was a short, yet relaxing and very exciting trip filled with food, of course. I got to visit my sister and brother-in-law who has recently moved down which was very nice! I also reunited with my childhood friend who has also recently moved to Sydney with his family. Okay, enough of me blabbering on and on. I'm going to share some photos with you guys of pretty much everything I did during my trip to Sydney...

Free OJ and Dotty Byron Bay Cookie! Thanks Jetstar. 

(Even though I think I may have accidentally purchased the $5 voucher with my flight? haha, thanks anyway.)

After I arrived in Sydney, my childhood friend - Alan came and picked me up (otherwise, I would've seriously gotten lost) Haha, thanks Alan! We walked around the harbour and I finally got to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House for the first time (was super excited) and also got to take the ferry back to Alan's house which was really cool. So this is a pic of me cracking up because I was actually acting like the biggest asian tourist ever. HAHA sorry Alan for making you feel embarrassed and walking around wheeling my suitcase around for me.

We then met up with his parents and went out for lunch together at The Boat House @ Balmoral Beach on this super sunny day.

I am seriously so behind the hype with all of these amazing and super famous foods. But what can I say? They're just not made available on the Gold Coast. So yeah, I finally got my N2 Gelato Fix which was so good! Haha Alan and I got the Deconstructed Matcha Lava and the Dirty Milk flavour.

And, of course...

Who can go to Sydney without going to this place?

AQUAAAAA S. 

This place and it's Sea Salt flavoured ice-cream has seriously been the biggest hype all over Instagram for the past few months so of course I had to try it! So the flavours alway stay as Sea Salt and another flavour that changes frequently, (only just found out when I got there that the flavours change all the time). Pretty lucky though because we got the Sea Salt and Peach Creme Brûlée Swirl with Caramel Popcorn and Fairy Floss (you could choose from four different toppings - grilled marshmallow and popping candy as well).

Surprisingly, it actually lived up to my expectations. As people say, just because it looks good it doesn't mean it'll taste good too. But it did. Well at least I liked it haha. Anyway, if you ever swing by the city make sure you pay a visit to Aqua S and get a shot of that extremely typical blue cloud backdrop that every single person who walks in would also take.

The Watermelon Cake @ Black Star Pastry. Haha why is this happening, everything is living up to my expectations. It was actually really good. The watermelon cake was really special and refreshing in a way? With the slice of watermelon within and the rose petals on the top created this really unique taste. Would most definitely go back and have another slice!

Had a super lovely coffee date with Mama Shen and my sis in the Campos Coffee in Newtown!

So, Mama Shen strictly says that: The Campos Coffee in Newtown is the best one, you gotta carefully watch how they make the coffee. So keep in mind guys, make sure you go to the one in Newtown. Gotta agree though, it was probably the best coffee i've ever tried... (and I don't even like coffee that much). It tasted pretty magical. Haha. We ordered a Latte, an Iced coffee and an Affogatto for drinks. Cronut and some sort of orange muffin for the dessert. 

So yeah, moving on... My sis and I also went to The Grounds of Alexandria! I've got to be super honest but i'm not too sure what the hype is all about with this place... Maybe it was just this one time experience that I had that completely did not even meet my expectations at all. But it was sort of disappointing to realise what it was like when we finally got there (no offence to the people who loves The Grounds of Alexandria).

So first of all, this place is hella busy. Like extremely busy. All the times were booked out on the first day we wanted to go (even for a two seater table). So when we tried to book for the second day for a three seater table (brother-in-law wanted to come along) they were all already gone too. So my sis and I finally got a booking for like 1:30pm. Fair enough, if it's fully booked all the time even on weekdays (Tuesday and Wednesday we tried booking), it's gotta be hella good right?

Anyway, I don't want to complain. Like it was good, but just now thaaaaat good. You know? In my opinion the hype for this place is way too overrated. It was a lovely place and everything, like seriously don't get me wrong. But I just don't understand why everyone is so obsessed with it.

I still really enjoyed the food that we got and the strawberry tart that we ate as dessert as well.

But honestly, I ordered the Dirty Chai since I love Chai. But was seriously completely disappointed. I don't think i've ever not finished my drink with my meal. But I couldn't even finish half of it. Hopefully my experience at The Grounds of Alexandria will be better next time *fingers crossed*

Sooooo, I finally met up with Eric in Sydney! Who is a friend of mine from the Gold Coast who moved to Sydney to study haha. Surprisingly Eric and Alan (my childhood friend, who's name is also Alan) actually have mutual friends since they both go to USYD. Which was pretty cool. Such a small World. Anyway, Eric was always telling me how amazing this gelato place in Sydney is and that he has to take me when I go visit him! So he finally took us to Cow & Moon!

We had two rounds of gelato because the first round was just not enough to satisfy our tastebuds haha. The first round we had creamier flavours like cookies & cream and espresso (was it?) and the second round we got more fruity and refreshing flavours like blood orange and lemon sorbet. 

(For those who like a good and sour lemon sorbet, you gotta try this one. It was actually sour.)

Chilling with Alan and Eric at USYD. // It was actually such a HUGE university and so pretty too. But seriously, huge. Took me such a long time to tour the place.

Oh yeah, we also ate lunch at Brewtown a cafe in Newtown. It was really nice. Eric ordered a Freshly Squeezed OJ and I got an Iced Chocolate (because they didn't sell Iced Chai) and I forgot the name of the food we ordered... but it was nice and tasty! The Brewnuts they sold there was pretty amazing though (must try!). We shared the Jam one and all love it. It was so good to see Alan and Eric. But so sad to say good bye again :( See you guys next time, make sure you visit the Gold Coast soon!

To end Sydney on a bright note.

I had dinner with my sister and brother-in-law at Oyster Bar by the Sydney Harbour with this amazing night view of the city. It was absolutely amazing. I loved Sydney so much, and I will definitely be back shortly to visit again. And to eat the foods that I didn't get to eat and the places that I didn't get to go.

Thank you and Until next time, SYDNEY.

- Miss Ting Chen