Like most places, there are the many faces of Sydney. The one most oft publicised is the sun, surf and sea aka Bondi Beach. Over the last few days though, AP and I have seen a whole elegant formal front of this seductively chic casual city, proving that there is a whole world of elegance and sophistication that lies beyond those divinely twinkling harbour waters. So while this harbour town likes to take pride in being a haven of the relaxed casual and outdoorsy lifestyle, there’s a lot more to this settlement city!
If scratched, hovering just beneath the surface is to be found a distinct undertone of suave formality. Yes! Even that to rival its southern sister, Melbourne! (I now get why these two metropoles are in such competition with each other 
)
I know! So not what one thinks of when thinking Sydney, but believe me, it’s there in spades! You see, this whole sophisticated side of Sydney became more than apparent when AP and I visited, at the Concierge’s advice, the Blu Room at the Shangri-La Hotel. This fabulous place is a bar sitting perched on the edge of The Rocks, some 36 floors high above the bridge and the amazing life of ferries, cruises, hire boats and seafaring craft that is the harbour. Being a traditional 5 star establishment, the formality tone was a given but we were still surprised when we walked in and realised that the casual chic hum had been well and truly replaced with cosmopolitan candour. Drawn in by a decor of sultry midnight black splashed with silver highlights, the eye went straight to the gigantic floor to ceiling windows that were the walls!
Now I love love love a view and being in this space that stood higher than the Harbour Bridge (from our vantage point) it was wonderful to witness from this very glamorous perspective of 180 degrees, ‘as far as the eye can see’ views. At least until it became dark and then it was just downright dazzling!
It’s amazing how transfixing a view can be; the headlights of cars becoming like the flame of a roaring fire that is just stared at whilst one loses themselves to the moment. Oh my … so deep and profound aren’t I
Anyhoo, as expected, that was not our only brush with the sneaky sophistication of Sydney. Once beyond the ocean water sparkling like crushed diamonds in the sun, the formalities became obvious. High glamour reeked from the Opera House with manicured ladies dripping in bling, click clicking their stilettos across the pavement as they hurried to their box seats.
Fine dining establishments raised the stakes considerably, offering menus with no prices (absolute dead give-away for e-x-t-r-e-m-e-l-y swish and r-i-d-i-c-u-l-o-u-s-l-y expensive ) and sommeliers dressed in pressed black tie.
And, dare I say it, even the tone of dress emulated a worldly elegance. It seems, that for the locals, gone are the days of broad shorts and thongs, with designer style now in favour as the ‘go to’ choice of the day. And, just an aside, I’m guessing that the influx of fabulous designer stores in both the QVE Building and Westfield might have had a little influence in this department … enough choice in two blocks that are a mere steps apart to boggle the mind!
Tinerate, I loved glimpsing the soul of Sydney in its formal finest, finding the old girl completely endearing and loving that the city could happily accommodate any mood.
Till next time.
Tipsy Pipsy xo