Sydney

[Prosal]

 

One of my best friend is living in Sydney since a few years, and I could maybe consider a trip there in January. I have to find myself good reasons, as I initially planed to visit Colombia in Feb. Two totally different options, and infos from Aussies board members could help me to make a choice (if I choose Sydney I'd make a stop in BKK, Singapore or KL).

 

How's the beach scene (my friend told me that "Bandai ?" beach was full of very approachables women), the non-pro scene (regular bars, discos, happy-hours, ect), how the girls look like, is a one month stay too long, how's the weather in January, the cost of life, ect ?

 

Thanks in advance for help.

 

::

[gobbledonk]

Hi Prosal,

 

I grew up in Sydney, but have only made casual visits over the last 20 or so years. Despite my absence, I am confident in making the following claims:

 

1. Cost of living : high

Unless you've just flown in from London, New York or Tokyo, I suspect that you will find Sydney expensive, both in terms of a hotel room and food/drink/sightseeing. Still the views of the harbour and the beaches are free ::

 

2. Beach Scene

OK, 'Bondi' (pronunciation much as you spelt it, 'Bondai' not 'Bondy'), Coogee and Maroubra are all quite close to the Sydney CBD (collectively, the 'Eastern Beaches') - you can catch a train to Bondi Junction and a bus to the beach itself : no more than 30 minutes total. When I lived there in the 80's, 'Bondage Beach' was considered a fairly ordinary place - lots of unemployed Maoris and general Bohemian types - but I lioved it. Its now very trendy, the water is reputedly cleaner, and you'll find women from all over the world. Whether they are as 'approachable' as you've been told is another matter - my advice is to be relaxed and dont harbour too many expectations.

 

3. Clubs

Take your pick, virtually any night of the week, and all within about a 5km radius of your hotel. Whether they are non-pros or not, chances are that any party animals you meet will make their way to the Cross - there is something about mingling with streetwalkers, crims and bikers at 3am that seems to kick in when you've had one too many. If you do decide to engage the services of a professional, I'd advise against anything in the Cross. Nearby Surrey Hills has a swag of high-class brothels, but their exorbitant rates will make you wonder why you got off the plane in Sydney. You are probably better off ringing an Escort agency, but I'll have to defer to other members on this.

 

3. Women

The average Anglo-Aussie woman is reasonably tall and leggy, and many of them do look good - predictably, there is a certain attitude which accompanies such natural beauty. Got a Porsche ? Rolex ? Think Singapore, although I'm probably being a little too unkind with that comparison.

 

Anglo gals aside, you'll find women from all over the world in Sydney, a large number of backpackers among them. Add the large Italian and Greek populations which have been in Oz since the 50's, and its probably closer to a Meditteranean city than you might expect. Downtown 'Central' hosts the city's Chinatown, but I dont remember seeing Asian women at the beaches (Japanese 'surf clones' notwithstanding)

 

If you do manage to pick up girls who want nothing more than a good time, I'd strongly recommend that you keep your wallet in a safe place and wear a condom. Commonsense stuff, but its amazing how many people think that *all* Aussies are friendly, honest people : might be true in Birdsville, but Sydney is a cosmopolitan city with crime figures which are arent too far behind many US cities - if we had easy access to handguns, they'd be right up there, IMO.

 

I hope I havent painted too grim a picture of Sydney - like Jakarta, its an exciting and vibrant city with hordes of beautiful women. Jakarta also has its share of hidden costs and potential pitfalls - all I can suggest is that you watch your back when you are out at night.

 

Good luck,

 

Artie

[Dumsoda]

A very comprehensive and informative response :up:

 

I don't live in Sydney, but visit regularly on Biz. (Live in Melbourne)

Visually, Sydney is a fantastic City, well worth a visit. Yes, it is the most expensive City in Oz, but certainly no more expensive than most European Cities IMO.

 

Just a couple of small points to consider:

 

Will you stay with your friend or use an Hotel??

If staying with your friend, check location and how accessible it is to the major areas of interest. Sydney covers a large geographical area and travel times can vary greatly.

The Eastern Suburb's beach area (Bondi and other's as listed above) is a great area to spend your time, but it is a small pocket of a large City. Just make sure you don't spend half a day travelling to get there.

 

Weather wise, January is "perfect" if you want hot beach weather. It will be around 30 - 37 degrees most days (middle of Summer) and really the best time to visit.

 

If you split your 4 weeks with a 3 - 4 day stop over in Bkk (each way) it would make for a perfect vacation (again IMO)

 

Don't think you will be disapointed if you "venture Downunder", Aussie's are a friendly bunch (most of the time...LOL..)

 

If you need any specific info, just ask. Happy to help.

 

Cheers

[Nervous_Dog]

Bondi is good, I like to dive near Bronte, which you can do a great walk too fro Bondi, walking South along beaces and headlands and passing stunning little sandy inlets.

 

Huge beach sccene in January, LOTS of backpackers from Europe as january is prob hottest month in Sydney, think 30+ and SUNNY, so lots of sun protection.

 

The night club scene is huge, lots of weekly papers JUST for nightlife! Look for Drum (Live music) and others on the web.

 

Good advice about accomodation, Backpacking can be cheap, but living with friends is best.

 

Where are THEY? Important as if they are on North shore (That big harbour cuts the city into two halves) then there are beaches that way like Manly etc.

 

DOG

[gobbledonk]

I agree that Bronte is a great beach, as is Tamarama, but I didnt mention them in deference to their 'family' orientation. You'll find near naked women all along the Sydney beaches, but the attitude on the beachfront differs from one to the next. Bondi is a better bet for single tourists, IMO.

 

Sydney has a much better CBD vibe than Brissie, IMO - so much to see in a compact area (unlike Melbourne, which has a CBD which goes for block after block in a huge square grid). Long before Darling Harbour was even envisaged, I regularly walked from Chinatown down to the Harbour just for the hell of it, and it was rarely a boring stroll. Cant help wanting to revisit the Harbour City when I dredge up memories like this ::

[Nervous_Dog]

Brisbane is no where near sand either, 1 hour drive away, either north or south to first good beach.

 

Tamarama has a LOT of naked cuties who all are either models or accessories to a rich guy.

 

The Clovely Bowls Club, which I am a member of is a great spot, overlooking clovely inlet, lots of topless there too.

 

While staying in Sydney you should try and go north, beaches from Newcastle onwards are great and not as crowded as Sydney.

 

I hated LIVING in Sydney, but love visiting it, I still think being down at the rocks, under the bridge, looking at the ferie come in, is one of the best views in the world.

 

And I'm a Q'lander!

 

Brisvegas is great if you know people, I still plan to retire there one day, but dereadful place to visit, I am still amazed to meet tourists there!

 

DOG

[Prosal]

 

Gobbledonk, ND, Dumsoda.

 

 

Thanks a lot ; I coudn't hope better responses.

 

 

:up:

 

 

PS : Sydney seems really tempting but I also discover from your posts its high cost of living, which is a big turn off for me.

 

 

[Nervous_Dog]

High cost of living is unbelievalble.

 

I remember earning $50K a year in the early 90's, dam good money, and thinking I lived far better in Brisvegas on half that!

 

It is a VERY expensive place to live, but stunningly beautiful to visit, in the sumer that is!

 

Also remember to check out the "Ethnic" areas, Cabramatta for the best Viet food outside Hanoi, Chinatown Seafood, Yum, Say hello to Robert Ho for me! Leichardt, great cheap coffee, cheaper than Thailand coffee and better!

 

DOG

[Torneyboy]

Hi

 

You will have a great time...lots of sun sand and sex in sydneys summer.

 

Good cheap backpacker accommodation very close to China Town....great food lots of gals from all over the world.

 

lay back and take it all in... ::

[Zorro]

I have a place in Coogee although i haven't lived there for over a decade but i thoroughly recommend it.

 

It is a great place in January..... beach and sun ....very expensive thou if you don't have accommodation.

 

Girls are a problem in Australia....there are plenty of beautiful women but picking up may not necessarily be that easy and P4P is dare i say it, DIRE.

 

I was in Sydney last month for a 10 days before coming to Perth and I did find a little place in Kensington where the girls did nude massage for 60 bucks half an hour and there were some fabulous thai birds there. I did get great service and they wanted to enter into some sort or financial arrangement on the side...unfortunately had to go to Perth where i have not been very lucky.