Travelling is my favourite thing to do. I enjoy a lot of hobbies and feel passionately about pursuing several activities. But travelling, by a long shot, tops the charts.
Every time I travel outside Delhi, I feel inspired. This in no way should be taken to mean that Delhi has lost its ability to charm my senses. Delhi is my home and it shall always hold a dear place in my heart. But I write today, not to be verbose about my love for India's capital, instead, I hope to express my love for the destinations beyond.
My latest travels took me far south of the equator, to one of the most populous cities on the island continent-country of Australia: Sydney. My visit to Sydney was certainly not the first time I laid eyes on this concrete jungle. Nonetheless, the change in the city over the last 16 years (since my last visit in 2000), quite certainly made me feel like I had arrived in a new metropolis.
Most notably, the demographics of the city surprised me. Anyone who has been to Sydney in recent times would definitely appreciate the observation that the city seems to have become predominately oriental. I kid you not, I had to often remind myself that I was in aussie land and not scurrying my way through east Asia.
Once one shrugs past the demographics and focuses on the locale, the city reveals itself as a lovely destination.
What excited me the most about this cosmopolitan terminus was the recent surge in its culinary extravagance. Australia over the past few years has really cashed in on its food tourism industry. I myself was quite eager to try out the various fusion restaurants and now internationally popular patisseries that this island has to offer. With proper planning and research, and well, for the sheer love of sweets, I found myself staring down the most wonderful dolce that my tastes buds have ever been teased with.
#Zumbo
Adriano Zumbo is the man who is considered to be synonymous with macaroons. Naturally, his patisserie was among the top in my list of places to visit. And boy did Mr. Zumbo not disappoint. With one bite into those bright little treats, I was transported! Those light as air, little cloud like pillows just floated on my tongue while bursting their most divine flavours. In that moment I knew that my 12 hour long journey to the land down under was not in vain!
But Zumbaroons was not the only sweet tooth delight on my list. The pièce de résistance was yet to come.
#The_Moss
MasterChef Australia has really catapulted many a young and talented home cooks into the mainstream food arena. Reynold Poer is one such gentlemen who has captured the hearts of millions with his 'out-of-this-world' creations. The Moss: his signature dish offered exclusively at his flagship restaurant Koi Dessert Bar is the stuff legends are made of. After I filled my eyes with this gorgeous delight, with my weapon of choice, the spoon, I dug in. Suffice it to say, I was sated!
Sydney, you have fulfilled your purpose well.
But food is not the only thing the city has to offer.
The concrete jungle pops with old world charms like the Queen Victoria Building and St. Andrews Cathedral, icons which are fighting hard to ensure that their presence is not lost or forgotten amidst the towering modernity.
Further up is the most obvious thing that Sydney has to offer: an all round treat for the eyes! This far off land is blessed with plenty of natural beauty coupled with refined human dwellings, beckoning all voyagers to stop and admire its glory.
My trip was short but in no way mundane or dull.
While a predominantly family centric holiday, the journey was enough to tickle my feet and inspire me in its own unique way. Though the destination may have lacked an exotic personality, it more than made up for it by the variety it had to offer.
And now I am back in the heart of my old love, Delhi. The monotonies of daily routines are upon me. Work is once again filling up my days. But nonetheless, I look forward to my next adventure, waiting impatiently, with itchy heels.
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