The first thing I noticed when I stepped off the flight from Los Angeles to Sydney was how incredibly off-balance I felt.
It wasn't the 15-hour flight, which was surprisingly easy thanks to V Australia's in-flight movies and help-yourself on-board food and drink bars, but the jetlag from not sleeping due to sheer excitement of landing in Oz.
I booked the trip down under with a girlfriend and we set off across the Pacific. When we finally landed in Sydney, our pre-arranged car service was waiting for us. For only $20 USD more, we were treated to a luxury sedan drive through Sydney and a mini-tour of the city, thanks to our knowledgeable driver. (Tip for solo travelers: Always look into a car service when you arrive in a new city - most of them aren't that much more expensive than a cab, and you can be sure you're getting a quality driver who won't take you for a ride through a strange part of town to run the meter). We arrived at our hotel, The Observatory, in a lovely section of town called The Rocks and attempted to check-in. Alas, the rooms weren't quite ready. Thankfully, the hotel had a spa area where we could shower and change, then grab a coffee and keep ourselves awake until the rooms were ready. How do you pass the time in Sydney? If you have 24 hours to kill before sleeping off the jetlag, take in some of these essential sights:
Start at Sydney Observatory & Planetarium and take in the view from the highest point in Sydney. You'll get great photo opportunities of the city from every angle and have a chance to view the sun from one of the planetarium's super-solar telescopes.
Head back out and under the bridge toward Circular Quay, one of Sydney's prime meeting spots. You'll pass boutique stores, cafes, and restaurants and find yourself in the harbor, where you'll get the best views of the Sydney Opera House. For a quick caffeine boost, grab a 'white flat' from a coffee house (the Australian version of a latte) and head out around the harbor toward the Opera House. (Side note: if you get hungry, there are plenty of places to eat in Circular Quay).
When you get to the Sydney Opera House, treat yourself to the one-hour tour and let the very knowledgeable guide show you around the magnificent architectural wonder. You'll get photos of the Opera House you won't be able to capture from other angles, and you'll learn a little about how the structure came to be one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.
After your tour, head back toward the main road and follow along the path to "downtown." In a few short blocks, you'll find yourself among skyscrapers and tall buildings and you'll know you've arrived in Sydney's downtown district. The area is filled with antique shops, boutiques and expansive shopping centers like the Queen Victoria Building. The QVB occupies an entire city block and features more than 200 stores to quench your shopping needs.
When you're done with the shopping portion of your day, head back toward The Rocks and make your way to the Shangri-La Hotel. Head to the 36th floor and enjoy a mid-afternoon cocktail at Blu Bar on 36. You'll witness some of the most breathtaking views of the city and if you time your excursion right, you'll bear witness to one of the most amazing sunsets in the Southern Hemisphere.
It's likely your room is ready now, and after a long day you can treat yourself to a cab ride back to the hotel. Before you do, make sure to look up in the sky... only in the Southern Hemisphere can you see the Southern Cross, and it's a miraculous sight to see with your own eyes.
