Top Ryde City ~ Paradise in a Mall

  So the other week, my friends and I wanted to enjoy the beginning of our Saturday chatting away about all sorts of things with one another, while absorbing the much needed Vitamin D and nom-noming away on a delicious brekkie meal.  But of course, as usual, we had no idea where to go! The other criteria in our search had to be somewhere between the North Shore and Strathfield, so that it would be convenient for all of us.  My friends then came up with a brilliant (especially in hindsight!) idea! The newly opened Top Ryde Shopping Centre - situated smack bang in the middle of the two places on Ryde Road!

  For the many times I've driven along Ryde Road, I've watched this place go from one sort of building to that being demolished to this shoppining complex in its infant stage to (after a long time) it being nearly built to it being complete! So yeh, I've seen it grow up and prior to this, I've only really been there once, so there was a sense of anticipation and freshness in going there!

  This shopping complex has two parts - outdoor and indoor.  There are shops and food places in both.  For the purpose of our visit, we pretty much dashed straight out to the outdoor section and it most certainly did not disappoint!

The modern architectural structure is quite impressive at first glance and somehow contributes to a relaxing feel! Must be the trees...haha

 There are cafes and restaurants lined up one after the other all along the path, which include famous restaurants such as Hurricanes (ribs...yum!) and Kazbah! As my friend NL pointed out, one day we might not even have to drag our butts out to the city to enjoy fine cuisine!



See the Hurricanes' sign??? PROOF right there!



 

Cafes right, left and center at your demand!




Kazbah is only a few steps away from Hurricanes! For those of you who might want second meals haha

 

Down this lane, there is a chocolate place like Max Brenners called Oliver Brown! The place exuberated yumminess and apparently it gets really packed at night! Must not to self to try sooooon!

  In the end, we chose Euro Taste Cafe, which gave us a good absorption of the sun and a cosy atmosphere!

Hmmm...I think I love places with wooden looking furnitures haha But it just gives off such a homey feel!

Topped off with one of my faves - skinny latte mmmmmmm

...with eggs benedict, what a special treat! OR -

The Euro Taster Cafe Big Brekkie! Deliiiiccciiooouss!!!

 Twas a splendid morning! Please consider having one too =)(And you know what, if you come here and if you love shopping, you can definiely top it off with that here!)




View Larger Map

Manly ~ Breath-taking stroll...

When a friend of mine came from Japan, wanting to be blown away by the beauty of Sydney, it was then that I realised how little considerations I have given to all the beautiful places in Sydney! But luckily, my friend SC is much more on the ball than me and created a schedule to blow our Japanese friend away!

Thank God the day started with gentle wind and blue sky as we met at Circular Quay and embarked on a ferry to Manly!


Circular Quay Wharf No. 3 to Manly



When you're on the ferry, you just feel like the 'King of the World' (anyone remember Titanic? Hehe) as you get tossed up and down, breathing in the fresh air and withstanding the strong wind, it is as though all the worries of the world have been lifted off your shoulders! Plus, you get to see the harbour bridge in the distant admist the water and blue sky!



Sydney Harbour Bridge sandwiched between the raging water and calming blue sky



 When you see Manly beach, you know immediately that it is a great place to chill, enjoy the heat from the sun and dipping your body in the cool water!



Many relaxing at the beach

  If you're not much of a beach bum, but more of a hiker, there's a coastal walk set out for you! This is what we did with our Japanese friend, even though we all love the beach and the ocean, but because we didn't bring our swimmers that day, we discovered such a beauty of a trail! Along the way, there are lookouts, where the magnificent views of the ocean might just take your breath away!




As our Japanese friend exclaimed under his breath: Wow.






Stand at the edge of the rock...take a deep breath in...and shout all your thoughts and feelings out (like they do in Asian dramas!)



Along the way, you might find hidden passage ways such as this!



Where might this lead to...?





I don't have photos of this, but depending on which route you take, some parts of the trails are filled with bushes and spiderwebs! Although that might not be ideal for those looking for a chillaxing afternoon, but for the adventures lovers, this is definitely an added bonus to an afternoon stroll!

Even though rain poured heavily in the afternoon for us, it didn't destroy our moods because the amazing views were still imprinted in our minds and all the breath-taking moments have driven a lot of stress built up in us from everyday life! Plus, what can go wrong when your friends are enjoying this as much as you are right? ;)

View Larger Map