WHAT’S UP DOWN UNDER?
October 12, 2003 | 12:00am
When you’re in Kylie land there’s no stop-ping the disco bunny from shaking her bonbon all night (and day) long! Yes, I was in the land that gave us, among other things, Nicole Kidman, Heath Ledger, Kylie and Kylie.
There is a running joke about Australia: "The world is like a woman, 18-20 years is like Africa, virgin territory; 25-35 is like America, abundant and exploratory; 35-40 is like Asia, exotic and rich in history; 40-45 is like Europe, a bit cold but still adventurous; and 45-50 is like Australia, you know it’s down there but you don’t bother." Who ever said that joke obviously got their visa denied.
All decked out in lycra-blended fabrics, I found myself being kneaded to bliss at the Mabuhay Lounge. The nine-hour or so flight to Sydney proved to be most comfortable with free bubbly in Mabuhay Class. Philippine Airlines has a great offer for their loyal clients. Ria Domingo of PAL tells me that if, for example, you leave for the US, the miles you earn can let you fly to HK for free! Philippine Airlines customers are instantly enrolled through temporary cards which are always readily available. Thus, members can earn miles even on the day of their enrollment. Also, passengers as young as two years old can join the ranks of frequent travelers of Mabuhay Miles. Aside from that you get perks such as upgrades!
So the plane took a graceful descent to wombat land and we were greeted with balmy weather. We sighed pleasantly as we were relieved from the schizo weather back home. Making it my point to overpack at all times I brought several scenario wardrobes. Bleak weather meant plum, black and charcoal while sweet weather meant pastels and creams. I was so glad it was the latter, for I never look good in dark colors.
We were carted off to the new Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney (formerly the A&A hotel) basking in anticipation at being spoiled for the next few days. We were showed to our rooms that gave a breathtaking view of the Nicole Kidman-gorgeous Sydney. Even a postcard will not do justice to what I saw through my window. I was assured that each room had a view that was sure to make even the most jaded tourist gape. Whether he was clipping his toenails, smoking a post-coital cigarette or maybe just indulging in a mini-bar moment in the room, any guest will find himself in priceless condition.
Later in the night I decided to try something new and went to the naughty streets of Oxford (again). Given that it was a Sunday, I was surprised to see so many establishments in fight mode. Tim Yap and I went to Sol where it was hip-hop night, where I saw my favorite kind of guys, well dressed in an acid preppy kind of way, sinfully good-looking and total assholes. Taken that I could not really do that thang, I stuck out like a sore thumb in the urban cool crowd. We decided to go to Arc, a more progressive club where gays and lesbians reigned. Feeling sorry for being a loser, I decided to make new friends here. Soon enough I was chatting away with an Eastern European pop star down on her luck. Feeling a little down on luck myself, Tim and I decided to march home and giggle about our evening.
The next day, still reeking of vodka and champagne, I miraculously woke up at 8 a.m. and joined my travel crew to Hunter Valley where we were about to spend the day wine tasting. Although under normal circumstances this would have made me jump for joy, my liver was heaving and so was I.
Arriving at the vineyards refreshed me with the breathtaking scenery. I was instantly reacquainted with sobriety and indulged in the tasty wines. I felt a bit miffed since sans makeup and fight clothes due to hangover, I looked like I was 12 and troubled. The wine guy just put splashes on my glass. I put my foot down and charmingly asked for my rights as an alcoholic to be respected. Not for anything but I love Australian wines for their light and fruity taste. Love for Australian wine turned me blind and after the third vineyard I was back where I was. Oh well.
The evening weather was lovely and I decided to saunter around the streets looking for bookstores and little places to eat (again). The hotel is situated in one of the coolest roads in Sydney in an area called The Rocks. There you are walking distance from great boutiques and restaurants. Most of them were still open despite being quite late (most stores close at 6 p.m.). That includes Horizon Bar, at the penthouse of Shangri-La, which is a bit of a Gisele Bundchen on the metropolitan landscape of Sydney, boasting a view of the city from the top. There is nothing more luxurious than sipping an evening cocktail and lying back and soaking in the city lights of Sydney.
The next day loomed and the question was, what to do? What to do? Being the anti-tourist tourist, I decided to do the homegrown Aussie thing and visit the galleries, wander around the residential areas, have coffee in the small cafes and shop on the designer-studded Oxford street, of course. Oxford and Paddington were wonderful, with all the small Australian brands gleaming on the sidewalks, I was about to buckle and die. Like doing something really thoughtless on a first date, I quickly lost my senses and succumbed to the pleasures of signing my financial stability away. From hot-to-trot stilettos for a bargain price to one-of-a-kind coats, I was in heaven. Like any first date scandale, I sobered up and felt both giddy and Delilah over what I had done. Ack!
The charming thing about Australia is that every corner has a charisma and beauty that is both beguiling and exciting. Maybe it’s because I’m a third-world babe and that’s why I was awestruck at such a magnificent city.
However, there is no denying that Darling Harbor, the Sydney Opera, the quaint streets, the metro rail and even the supermarkets (with scandalous versions of Twix, Maltesers and Kit Kat) are things to behold. Not to mention all the good-looking people that color the city. The attitude is so laid-back and unpretentious that I wanted to kick off my shoes and walk around barefoot. Sydney is also close to great beaches such as Bondi.
It was time to go home. I sank in my seat on the plane and wistfully looked out of the window and waved the fetching city goodbye. My friend once said that he hated to travel since when it was time to leave he felt so depressed. I understood what he meant, but home is home and the memories that you gain from your travels will last forever.
For Mabuhay Miles: Members may reach the Service Center directly at (632) 817-8000, from Mondays thru Fridays, 8 a.m. — 9 p.m., MNL time. Its fax numbers are (632) 818-4921 and 893-6884, US/Canada based members may call 1-800-747-1959 from Mondays thru Fridays, 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney may be reached at (612) 92506000 Toll-free room reservation is 1-800-801080. It located at 176 Cumberland St., The Rocks Sydney, Australia 2000 Check www.shangrila.com for more info!
Text me your comments at 2978 for Globe subscribers and 326 for Smart subscribers and type in Celine. Hope to hear from you!
There is a running joke about Australia: "The world is like a woman, 18-20 years is like Africa, virgin territory; 25-35 is like America, abundant and exploratory; 35-40 is like Asia, exotic and rich in history; 40-45 is like Europe, a bit cold but still adventurous; and 45-50 is like Australia, you know it’s down there but you don’t bother." Who ever said that joke obviously got their visa denied.
All decked out in lycra-blended fabrics, I found myself being kneaded to bliss at the Mabuhay Lounge. The nine-hour or so flight to Sydney proved to be most comfortable with free bubbly in Mabuhay Class. Philippine Airlines has a great offer for their loyal clients. Ria Domingo of PAL tells me that if, for example, you leave for the US, the miles you earn can let you fly to HK for free! Philippine Airlines customers are instantly enrolled through temporary cards which are always readily available. Thus, members can earn miles even on the day of their enrollment. Also, passengers as young as two years old can join the ranks of frequent travelers of Mabuhay Miles. Aside from that you get perks such as upgrades!
So the plane took a graceful descent to wombat land and we were greeted with balmy weather. We sighed pleasantly as we were relieved from the schizo weather back home. Making it my point to overpack at all times I brought several scenario wardrobes. Bleak weather meant plum, black and charcoal while sweet weather meant pastels and creams. I was so glad it was the latter, for I never look good in dark colors.
We were carted off to the new Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney (formerly the A&A hotel) basking in anticipation at being spoiled for the next few days. We were showed to our rooms that gave a breathtaking view of the Nicole Kidman-gorgeous Sydney. Even a postcard will not do justice to what I saw through my window. I was assured that each room had a view that was sure to make even the most jaded tourist gape. Whether he was clipping his toenails, smoking a post-coital cigarette or maybe just indulging in a mini-bar moment in the room, any guest will find himself in priceless condition.
Later in the night I decided to try something new and went to the naughty streets of Oxford (again). Given that it was a Sunday, I was surprised to see so many establishments in fight mode. Tim Yap and I went to Sol where it was hip-hop night, where I saw my favorite kind of guys, well dressed in an acid preppy kind of way, sinfully good-looking and total assholes. Taken that I could not really do that thang, I stuck out like a sore thumb in the urban cool crowd. We decided to go to Arc, a more progressive club where gays and lesbians reigned. Feeling sorry for being a loser, I decided to make new friends here. Soon enough I was chatting away with an Eastern European pop star down on her luck. Feeling a little down on luck myself, Tim and I decided to march home and giggle about our evening.
The next day, still reeking of vodka and champagne, I miraculously woke up at 8 a.m. and joined my travel crew to Hunter Valley where we were about to spend the day wine tasting. Although under normal circumstances this would have made me jump for joy, my liver was heaving and so was I.
Arriving at the vineyards refreshed me with the breathtaking scenery. I was instantly reacquainted with sobriety and indulged in the tasty wines. I felt a bit miffed since sans makeup and fight clothes due to hangover, I looked like I was 12 and troubled. The wine guy just put splashes on my glass. I put my foot down and charmingly asked for my rights as an alcoholic to be respected. Not for anything but I love Australian wines for their light and fruity taste. Love for Australian wine turned me blind and after the third vineyard I was back where I was. Oh well.
The evening weather was lovely and I decided to saunter around the streets looking for bookstores and little places to eat (again). The hotel is situated in one of the coolest roads in Sydney in an area called The Rocks. There you are walking distance from great boutiques and restaurants. Most of them were still open despite being quite late (most stores close at 6 p.m.). That includes Horizon Bar, at the penthouse of Shangri-La, which is a bit of a Gisele Bundchen on the metropolitan landscape of Sydney, boasting a view of the city from the top. There is nothing more luxurious than sipping an evening cocktail and lying back and soaking in the city lights of Sydney.
The next day loomed and the question was, what to do? What to do? Being the anti-tourist tourist, I decided to do the homegrown Aussie thing and visit the galleries, wander around the residential areas, have coffee in the small cafes and shop on the designer-studded Oxford street, of course. Oxford and Paddington were wonderful, with all the small Australian brands gleaming on the sidewalks, I was about to buckle and die. Like doing something really thoughtless on a first date, I quickly lost my senses and succumbed to the pleasures of signing my financial stability away. From hot-to-trot stilettos for a bargain price to one-of-a-kind coats, I was in heaven. Like any first date scandale, I sobered up and felt both giddy and Delilah over what I had done. Ack!
The charming thing about Australia is that every corner has a charisma and beauty that is both beguiling and exciting. Maybe it’s because I’m a third-world babe and that’s why I was awestruck at such a magnificent city.
However, there is no denying that Darling Harbor, the Sydney Opera, the quaint streets, the metro rail and even the supermarkets (with scandalous versions of Twix, Maltesers and Kit Kat) are things to behold. Not to mention all the good-looking people that color the city. The attitude is so laid-back and unpretentious that I wanted to kick off my shoes and walk around barefoot. Sydney is also close to great beaches such as Bondi.
It was time to go home. I sank in my seat on the plane and wistfully looked out of the window and waved the fetching city goodbye. My friend once said that he hated to travel since when it was time to leave he felt so depressed. I understood what he meant, but home is home and the memories that you gain from your travels will last forever.
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney may be reached at (612) 92506000 Toll-free room reservation is 1-800-801080. It located at 176 Cumberland St., The Rocks Sydney, Australia 2000 Check www.shangrila.com for more info!
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