As far cities go, Sydney is lovely. If LA is the stand-offish girl that plays hard to get -- now you know I love LA, but she definitely makes you work to get to know her -- then Sydney seems like a charming hostess graciously welcoming you into her house. Everything is conveniently arranged, seemingly setup just for the ease of tourists. So many attractions are located in either Darling Harbor, Circular Quay, or the Rocks, and when you tire of museums just walk a few steps inland and you have the rest of Downtown to stroll through.
The Central Business District has the hustle and bustle of New York -- albeit in a more condensed area. The architecture in the CBD is a wonderful mix of old and new. Colonial and Victorian buildings are set against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers. A walk down George Street will take you past many of of the most notables sites. The first stop is Sydney's beautifully ornate Town Hall. In fact, it's is so ornate that it has sometimes been called the 'wedding cake' building. Interestingly, it was built on the site of an old cemetery -- a very uncouth beginning for it's High Victorian glamour. It retains it's stately purpose, however, as it continues to be the seat of local city government.
Sharing the same square as Town Hall is St. Andrew's Anglican Cathedral . The already lovely Gothic Revival building, with it's beautiful stained glass windows, is warmed by the many trees and flowers decorating this plaza.
If it's possible to get anymore lavish, just walk up George Street about a block to hit the Queen Victoria Building. This is a massive Romanesque building taking up a long city block. It started life as shopping center, then fell into disrepair, but was ultimately restored to it's original purpose. According to many of the guides, Pierre Cardin called the QVB "the most beautiful shopping centre in the world," and with it's grand domes and intricate stained glass windows, it very well might be.
If you're looking for high-end shopping, this would be a good place to start. Inside you find one designer name after another. Unfortunately, the shopping here is too rich for my blood, so I just content myself with taking in the scenery.
If you want to keep walking or shopping, just keep heading North. Further up George Street and on the surrounding blocks you'll find all kinds of shops, from the posh to low-end souvenirs and chotchkies. You'll eventually hit Martin Place, an out door mall of sorts spanning a few blocks. Just spin around to get a variety of different architectural styles -- or just collapse on a bench a take a breather.
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