From my room on the 11th floor of the five-star Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, I let Sydney sink in.
I watched delivery drivers on scooters speed across roads and sidewalks as if their lives depended on their next distribution; I watched tradesmen in bright orange and vibrant yellow bustle around work sites that would soon be state-of-the-art high rises; and I watched day turn to dusk behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
As the sky faded from light blue to gloomy grey, I remained between the corduroy curtains of my room as workers ventured home for the weekend.
It felt strange to observe the city at 5pm. Peak hour traffic no longer looked like an obstacle in my quest to get home; instead, from my vantage point, the distant headlights looked like fireflies traveling across the Harbour Bridge.
Below the bridge on the other side of the harbour, Luna Park’s face had lit up, beckoning me to come play, and standing tall behind her were skyscrapers with thousands of glittering windows. The light peeking through each pane made me wonder what was going on behind them.
Watching the city made me feel remarkably sonder; it prompted me to think twice about the lives of strangers in the street. The opportunity to watch Sydney unravel below me is something I consider a gift from my window at the Marriott.
On the other side of my window, the room behind me boasted a king bed decked out in white sheets, a blue headboard that matched the chair and ottoman in the corner, a flatscreen TV framed by white cabinetry, and a light oak desk lit up by an industrial lamp.
The room had a vintage feel, emphasized by the beige corduroy curtains, retro lamp, and funky carpet. But don’t get vintage confused with outdated, because it was decked out with all the technological amenities needed.
Downstairs, the foyer was a luxurious escape from busy Pitt Street. Marble counters, an extravagant light feature, and the glistening white tiled floor created a lavish entrance.
Behind the lobby laid Silvester’s Restaurant and Lounge – a warmly lit intimate dining destination. Also at the hotel was Customs House Bar – a historic gastropub – and Three Bottle Man – a café and laneway bar.
Despite these dining options, I ventured a bit further from the hotel for dinner to try Midden by Mark Olive at Bennelong Point. Midden offers an Indigenous-Australian dining experience under the sails of the Sydney Opera House.
It was here that I was served by the charismatic Carlo, who described menu items with passion and humour unmatched by any waiter I’ve met before.
Of all the dishes I tried at Midden, three in particular blew me away: WA Octopus, Kangaroo Prosciutto, and the Native Rubbed Kangaroo Fillet.
The WA Octopus tasted like Australia – ocean and barbecue and Earth. The Kangaroo Prosciutto was paired with rockmelon, and the flavours combined to create a sweet and savoury force of nature. And the Native Rubbed Kangaroo Fillet was tantalizingly tender and complemented by quandong jus.
Throughout the meal, my eyes traveled between the picturesque plating atop the table and the view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge from my seat – each sight fighting for dominance.
The next day, I revisited that view when I returned to the curves of the Opera House for a tour and a show.
The tour was fascinating and visually striking. I learnt about Jørn Utzon, the Danish architect who designed the international icon. I also learnt the exterior is covered in approximately one-million Swedish-made tiles in two different colours, and that the building’s temperature is regulated using a seawater cooling system that travels through 35-kilometres of circulating pipes.
But that’s all the information I’m going to give you because this is an experience that I now consider a compulsory requirement for locals. And if you’re like me, you’ll plan in advance and see a show afterwards!
The Sydney Opera House has an exciting Summer Program coming up, including ‘Calamity Jane’ from October 14 to November 16, ‘GATSBY at the Green Light’ from December 13 to March 1, and ‘Duck Pond’ from January 9 to January 12.
It’s easy to forget how fortunate we are to live so close to the world’s best harbour city. If you need a reminder, follow my lead and spend a weekend as a tourist in Sydney, but when you do, don’t forget to be still for a moment and let the city sink in.
Visit https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/tours and click here for more information on the Sydney Harbour Marriott.
The writer stayed as a guest of Sydney Harbour Marriott, and was also a guest of the Sydney Opera House.
