Originally Posted by Darren
Whereas I agree with you as far as making judgments before actually visiting, I have been to Sydney (twice) and found it to be generally dull. I didn't, and still don't, get the hype. I left with the feeling that it's "exotic" enough to be kinda cool for non-adventurous travelers, but not so exotic as to be difficult to deal with. My first trip I was there for three days and felt like I didn't miss much that I had wanted to see (and I did do my research). I was even there during Mardi Gras so things were pretty jumping throughout the city. My second trip, I did the museums and whatnot and hung out at the beach. Honestly, I was living in LA at the time of both trips, and I could have done what I did in Sydney at home. At the end of being there, I went to Asia, which I found to be exponentially more interesting, fun, and worthy of visiting.
I think they would be the very non-adventurous traveller to think Sydney was exotic, I mean in all fairness its a 16 hour plane trip to end up in a large Western City with McDonald's that speaks English
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You have to understand though that for the over whelming majority of Sydney the Mardi Gras is a non-event, and in recent years it has certainly become less and less of an event, thankfully. There are alot of things to do in Sydney but many of them are not in guidebooks and compared to alot of cities Sydney is not overly designed for tourists. *If* you come again post in the Australia forum you'll get some great tips
Originally Posted by Darren
Every time I voice my opinion about Australia, people generally complain. How could you not like Australia! (I did) It's so exotic! (Sydney isn't) They have great beer! (I don't drink) Did you go to the Rocks?!?!? (yes, see previous) Note: I enjoyed Australia very much. People were friendly (less so in Sydney, more so in Perth), it was very pretty, and the ferry from the CBD to Manley is in itself worth a visit to Sydney. Exiting Sydney harbour has to be one of the best city scenes I have ever experienced. I just don't get the fascination with Sydney. It's a lovely place to visit, but given a choice, it would be quite far in the bottom half of places I would visit if I had an opportunity.
You are correct Sydney is not exotic. And we all know the Rocks in an overpriced tourist trap.
Anyway sometimes cities and people just don't click. I have had the same feeling with Milan and New York. Favourites would have to be, Austin, Hong Kong, Beijing and Buenos Aires oh and Como, although I think thats better enjoyed with a member of the fairer sex and I was there with two male friends
