Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Some (phone) pictures

Parramatta is, I think, the slightly dirtier cousin of central Sydney. It turns out it's also the scene (or near to it) of recent Sydney shootings! Still, putting those things aside, it has provided me with some things to look at and eat around the work components of this trip.

Here are some of them!

Our two-bedroom apartment at the Meriton hotel apartments has two levels

I have the upstairs bedroom, with an adjoining bathroom that is bigger than any I've had in my life (two basins!)

Sunday's dinner: Shared ginger tofu stirfry, mushroom and tofu stirfry, and rice at 'In the mood for Thai' , Parramatta
(Not photographed very well, but very enjoyable)

We don't have easily visible sunrises in Perth, given we're on the west coast - seeing the sun rise is thus a novelty

Early morning running route; Parramatta river

Also passed on my early morning running route

Monday's dinner: 'Nimbin' woodfired pizza with spinach, pumpkin, capsicum and mushrooms, plus toasted sesame seeds, minus the listed garlic sauce - provided by the appropriately named 'The Bite'  Italian restaurant.

We also don't have Aldi in Western Australia. In other words, I got to visit a new supermarket. The excitement!

There were many new (to me) products. I wanted cereal, but a large box of cereal for 3 remaining mornings wasn't very justifiable, especially as I'm travelling with a colleague and can't eat cereal for dinner. Muesli bars were a compromise.

A new chilli chocolate was not being compromised on! 

The Children's Hospital at Westmead has a Starbucks coffee stand. As we don't have Starbucks in Western Australia either (we don't have anything :P ) this pleased me too. Until I tried their cinnamon dolce latte and wasn't even able to finish it. Never again.

Tuesday's dinner: Stuffed vine leaves, Lebanese bread and assorted dips at  Sahra Lebanese restaurant, Parramatta




And that, I think, is quite enough from my phone's camera.

What has your week involved thus far? 
And have you tried Lebanese food - I quite liked it, but wasn't hungry enough to try any of the main vegetarian meals.

18 comments:

  1. I've had to spend some time out at Westmead Children's Hospital and I know the food is terrible - and the coffee! It's a shame about the violence and crime in Parramatta because years ago it was a wonderful and historical part of Sydney that was a lovely place to live and grow up. xx

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    1. That is sad to hear - I got a sense of the history through some of the signs / plaques, and the older buildings. It's a shame it has changed.

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  2. love that historic building - I don't think I have ever been to paramatta but I think it has a lot of interesting history! Hilarious that you found a restaurant called Bite - so perfect! And I confess that I don't really notice sunrises - if it is a choice between sunrise and sleep the sunrises just don't get a look in - though I enjoy the occasional sunset if my timing is right

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    1. The older buildings were lovely - and I think you're right about the history. It was alluded to through various signs and markers but I didn't have time to dig into it.

      The Bite restaurant was pretty good :)

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  3. Oh man, you don't have Aldi!?! It's my favourite place! (how sad) Their organic range is really good, and so cheap in comparison... plus they have all sorts of weird fun stuff for sale.

    Sunrise is the best... morning is my favourite time.

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    1. I know! They're so different to the other supermarkets. Maybe one day...

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  4. Oh my gosh. That apartment. When I travel, they won't even let me stay overnight; I end up pulling 15 hour days. Although, I mean, clearly you were in Sydney for more than one night, so they couldn't exactly not let you sleep somewhere :P

    Yay for finding quality vegetarian food with vegetables!

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    1. Bahaha...yes, I think I'd have put my foot down if I'd gone for 4 nights with a 4hr+ flight at either end and been asked not to sleep :P

      It was a good trip, vegetable wise! Such a rare thing.

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  5. It certainly looks like you've eaten well on this trip! The pizza, Thai and Lebanese food all looks fantastic. The man adores stuffed vine leaves, if they weren't so fiddly I would have a go at making them.

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    1. I was thinking as I ate them they must be a bit fiddly to make. Probably something better to buy out :)

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  6. What a beautiful sunrise!! I am headed to get some groceries this morning and then taking the rest of the day off! Yay! This week has been a good one, but I am ready for the weekend ;)

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    1. Yay indeed! Taking the rest of the day off is always good :)

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  7. Love your pictures! Everything looks so pretty...I am pretty jealous of your trip :)

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    1. Aww, thanks. I'm pretty glad to get home so don't be too jealous (there was a lot of work around the enjoyable meals!) :)

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  8. Mmm, all your eats look so delicious! Lovely hotel too :)

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  9. so i definitly lingered a bit longer over those pizza and chocolate photos!! looks like u're having a great time...such fun. i've never had Lebanese food but looks yummy. :)

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