Carnival Legend 2014 Sydney Arrival To Be ... Legendary

Carnival Legend

Carnival Legend, Carnival Spirit’s sister ship will be arriving in Sydney next year from the East Coast of the USA, with described by Carnival as custom built to create history making holidays, and paying tribute to some of the world’s greatest legends throughout the ages.

Carnival says that guest can take a dip in the Camelot and Avalon pools, wish for magic at Club Merlin Casino and taste iconic flavours at Truffles Restaurant, while music lovers can head for Satchmo’s Lounge and Billie’s Piano Bar, then dance the night away at Medusa’s Lair Dance Club.

Onboard features include a wide range of bars, dining choices and a variety of fun outdoor activities including the iconic Water Park and Green Thunder Waterslide, as well as indoor and relaxation options and exciting entertainment. 

Carnival Legend will sail from the East Coast of America mid-August 2014 arriving in Sydney on 22 September 2014, with itineraries on offer including a 13 day cruise from Tampa to Los Angeles sailing through the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and Mexico departing on 17 August 2014 and a 23 day cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney sailing through Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea departing on 30 August 2014.

Travel the World is also offering Carnival Legend guests the opportunity to combine the two itineraries for a legendary 36 day cruise experience sailing from Tampa to Sydney through Mexico, Tahiti, Fiji and Noumea.

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MasterChef Dining and Bar Sydney 2013

Master the art of fine dining with MasterChef

Not so long ago chefs were the faceless people of your dining experience. There they were in the kitchen wearing funny hats and toiling tirelessly over a hot stove for your dining pleasure. But in this age of celebrity chefs themselves have become the plat du jour and nothing proves that more than the Masterchef phenomenon, where even wannabe chefs are getting more than their fifteen minutes' worth of fame. As an adjunct to the current MasterChef series you can have your very own MasterChef experience when the MasterChef Dining & Bar returns to The Rocks this August.

Interestingly, the man in charge of the food for this pop-up, former head chef of Bécasse restaurant, Monty Koludrovic, has been hiding his light under the backroom bushel of the MasterChef set. Here he will be at the forefront, offering diners an experience that's one part fine dining and one part Masterchef television show blended expertly and presented with finesse in the beautiful surrounds of The Rocks' First Fleet Park.

Accommodation: Metro Apartments Darling Harbour
Dates The Sydney pop up runs from 13 August to 1 September

Venue

            First Fleet Park, The Rocks.

Food

You can dine like a MasterChef for lunch or dinner (with both early and late sittings) from Tuesdays to Sundays or you might prefer the delights of high tea on Sunday afternoons.

The 4 course sample menu, which is subject to change, has already been released, and while I have to look no further than the salted caramel cup for dessert, you may be interested in the baked salmon with aromatic shellfish vinaigrette, peas and herbs, the edible garden or the rose, saffron and olive trifle with candied almond. You can see the full sample menu here. You can dine with the masses or hire your own private dining room for groups of twelve.

Chefs
Depending on when you visit you may be able to meet and greet some of the Masterchef contestants from previous series. You'll need to keep checking the booking calendar to see the dates your favourites are appearing. On the list for Sydney are Andy Allen, Justine Schofield, Callum Hann, Alice Zavlasky, Julia Taylor, Adam Liaw, Alvin Quah, Hayden Quinn and Mindy Woods.

Former Masterchef winner Andy Allen. Image from event website.

Wine
Highly respected sommelier, David Jouy, will be selecting award winning wines from Australia and overseas to complement the menus. You can buy wine by the bottle or purchase a premium wine package with wines matched to your courses.

Bar
The MasterChef bar will be open throughout the pop up. This year's bar has an Italian theme and you don't need to book, just walk in, select a refreshing cocktail and survey the scene. They will also be offering food from a special bar menu.

Prices
Now this is the part you've been waiting for. How much will I have to part with for all this edible excellence, I hear you ask. Here's your answer:

Lunch: 4 course meal $115
Dinner: 4 course meal $115
Premium wine package with your meal: $50 per person
High Tea: $42
Private Dining Rooms: Room hire and 4 course meal $1935
Masterchef Bar: A range of drinks at bar prices

Bookings

Bookings open to the general public on Tuesday 16 July. You can access the booking calendar here.

However if you're an American Express CardMember you have access to exclusive pre-booking from noon, Friday 5 July to noon, Wednesday 10 July. You can max out your plastic by booking online here.

Last year's Masterchef dining experience was a huge success and bookings were snapped up by enthusiasts and the curious well in advance, so this is one where you can't afford to sit around debating the merits of going. It's MasterChef, okay. You know you want to. Just do it.

Sydney's most popular fun run is on again City to Surf

Australia's most popular and famous running event is on yet again on Sunday the 11th of August 2013. From its humble beginnings in 1971, the annual Sun Herald City2Surf attracts well over 80,000 participants each year.

The City2Surf is a 14km annual fun run that starts at Sydney's Hyde Park and ends at Bondi Beach. The course mainly runs through Sydney's Eastern Suburbs from the Kings Cross Bridge to Edgecliff, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse and of course, Bondi. It is the positive energy and the sometimes pleasant distractions that gets you addicted and wanting to come back for more and more. The 2013 event will mark the ninth time I have successfully competed in this event. That is if I make it, of course.

There are various start levels that participants can choose to compete in. The exclusive start group is the purple start group where participants who have competed in every City2Surf event since its inception get purple exclusivity. The main start groups are the red and green, where ideally your run time needs to be under 90 minutes or less.

If you wish to be with a group of runners, and regardless as to whether you wish to participate in the City2Surf for the first time, or you are a seasoned City2Surf entrant; it is advisable to register for the blue start group as quickly as you can. Why? The blue start group is ever so popular and is the fastest group to fill up. For joggers and walkers, you are advised to enter the Westpac yellow start. This group is entertained with group stretching exercises, and in 2012 the Yellow start group were entertained by Kate Cebrano. Both the blue and yellow start groups commence at College Street.

If you wish to walk or dress up, then it is advisable to register for the orange start group. This is the new 'back of the pack.'

Music and other entertainment is provided along the way, both by the organisers and local residents on the course of this 14km run or walk. Be prepared for 'heartbreak hill' at Rose Bay. This area is also well known for the people who dress up as Smurfs - just be careful not to get any blue dye on you. You will know when you're near the waterside.

Plenty of Gatorade and water is provided along the way, and also at the finishing line. Every participant who completes the somewhat challenging 14km course receives a finishers medal, as well as a complimentary copy of The Sun Herald. If you're a Westpac, St George or Bank of Melbourne customer, remember to grab your red wristband to gain free entry into the Westpac chill out area (Red Zone) at the expo, or bring proof that you have at least one account with one of these banks on the day. The City2Surf expo is usually held three days before the event at Lower Town Hall. This is where people who register after a certain cut off date (usually after June) need to go to in order to pick up their race pack which includes their bib and other race information. Westpac customers can pick up their red zone tag any day of the expo, while St George and Bank of Melbourne customers can only do so from the second day of the expo onwards.

At the Westpac chill out zone, a free sausage sizzle lunch is provided as well as cups of Gatorade. At the 2011 event, a memento photo was available, and at the 2012 event Westpac, St George and Bank of Melbourne customers received massages and lollipops. Great recovery indeed, unless if you're fortunate to be part of a corporate marquee.

Be patient when leaving Bondi Beach after your participation in this event. Chances are, some other participants are yet to complete their event. Although there are an abundance of buses available to take you back to Bondi Junction; remember with 80,000 people, patience is a virtue. To head back into the city, you will need to catch a train from Bondi Junction train station. Your entry fee includes free public transport travel upon presentation of your race bib to get you to the event and back home again. From Bondi Beach, I joined the fair few who walked to Bondi Junction, and twice in a row too. The adrenalin factor is well alive if you're fit and well - you might feel like wanting to run the course again. It is not advisable to complete the course if you're feeling unwell, and/or you have just re-located to another city.

It is absolutely critical to train in advance. Sydney puts on a variety of different run clubs where people can train in groups for free or a low fee months prior to this event. Looking forward to August 2013 once more.

Australian Navy: International Fleet Review 2013

The Royal Australian Navy is celebrating 100 years since the first RAN ships sailed into Sydney Harbour in 1913. Ships from more 20 nations comprising around 40 warships and 17 tall ships, plus 8000 naval personnel will help celebrate Navy’s historic event between 3 -11 October 2013.

More than 20 nations have confirmed participation by either a warship or tall ship including: Australia, Brunei, Canada, China, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Tonga, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Australian and foreign warships plus the tall ships will be open at these events for what is a rare opportunity for the public to go on board some ships.

The flagship HMAS Australia will lead the new Australian Fleet of seven cruisers and destroyers (HMA Ships Melbourne, Sydney, Encounter, Warrego, Parramatta and Yarra) into Sydney Harbour for the first time.

The program will include: a tall ships parade; warships arrival; ceremonial fleet review; naval gun salutes; fixed wing and helicopter flypasts; aerial acrobatic displays; Sydney Harbour fireworks and light show; ships open to visitors; combined naval march through the streets of Sydney; military band concerts; Freedom of Entry parades in Parramatta and Mosman; religious and memorial services; and sporting competitions. Military and historic aircraft will also feature prominently during the Review with more than 30 RAN and visiting navy helicopters and fixed wing aircraft taking part.

UPDATE: The United States Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) and the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Qingdao, a Luhu-class guided missile destroyer from China have confirmed their attendance taking the total number of visiting warships to 23. With the combined might of the Royal Australian Navy's ships and the tall ships there will be a fleet of 60 ships arriving in Sydney Harbour for the event. During Open Days on 6 and 7 October 2013 members of the public will have the opportunity to visit both warships and tall ships at Garden Island, Barangaroo and Darling Harbour. 

More event information is available on the International Fleet Review 2013 website and their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IFR2013

• Date: 3 October 2013 - 11 October 2013
• Time: Refer to the Schedule of Events below
• Where: Various locations around Sydney, NSW. See below for details
• Website: http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/
• Cost: Free

Schedule of Events

Note: The following program is subject to change.

1 October 2013

• 1200-1600 Warships enter Jervis Bay.

2 October 2013

• 1830-2030 Welcome Reception hosted by Chief of Navy. Location: Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell (Invited Guests).

3 October 2013

• 1100 Tall ships entry. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 0730 Warships depart Jarvis Bay for passage to Sydney.
• 1830 Tall ships welcome reception. Location: Australian National Maritime Museum (Invited Guests).

4 October 2013

• 0600-1600 Warships enter Sydney Harbour
• 1000 Ceremonial Fleet Entry and 21 Gun Salute. HMA Ships Sydney, Darwin, Perth, Parramatta, Bundaberg, Diamantina and Yarra. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1100-1600 Australian Surf Rowers Reception. Location: Sydney Opera House.
• 1830-2030 Visiting Ships Welcome Reception. Location: Garden Island (Invited Guests).

5 October 2013

• Dress ship. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1100-1430 Ceremonial Fleet Review. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1130-1200 Formation flypast by rotary and fixed winged aircraft. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1400-1900 Military demonstrations and Naval band performances.
• 1800-2030 Combined IFR Official Reception. Location: Sydney Opera House Forecourt (Invited Guests).
• 1930-2000 Pyrotechnics and Lightshow. Location: Sydney Harbour.

6 October 2013

• 1000-1130 HMAS Sydney Memorial Service. Location: Naval Memorial, Bradley's Head.
• 1300-1800 Tall ships open to the general public. Location: Cockle Bay/Darling Harbour (TBC).
• 1300-1800 Warships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.
• 1400-1530 Ecumenical Service. Location: St Mary's Cathedral.

7 October 2013

• 0730-1015 Opening of Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
• 0800-1800 Warships Open Day. Location: Fleet Base East, Garden Island/Barangaroo.
• 0800-1800 Tall ships open to the general public. Location: Cockle Bay/Darling Harbour (TBC).

8 October 2013

• 0800-1700 Sea Power Conference 2013 and Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition continue. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
• Royal Australian Navy Band recitals.
• 1000-1500 Combined Navies Golf Competition. Location: The Coast Golf Club.
• 1230-1400 HMAS Penguin Freedom of Entry to Mosman. Location: Mosman Central Business District.
• 1230-1400 Navy Memorial Service. Location: Cenotaph, Martin Place.
• 1300-1430 HMAS Parramatta Freedom of Entry to Parramatta. Location: Parramatta Central Business District.
• 1830-2030 Vice Regal Reception. Location: Government House, Botanic Gardens (Invited Guests).

9 October 2013

• 1030-1100 Sea Power Conference 2013 Closing Ceremony. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• 1230-1430 Combined Navies Parade. Location: George Street - The Rocks to Town Hall.
• 1430-1630 Lord Mayor's Reception. Location: Sydney Town Hall (Invited Guests).
• 1400-1630 Pacific 2013 IFR Ships Companies Lunch. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• Closing of Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition. Location: Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
• 1500-1730 Twilight sailing with RAN Sailing Association. Location: Sydney Harbour.

10 October 2013

• 1100 Tall ships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.
• 1000-1500 Combined Navies Sporting Competition. Location: Randwick Barracks/Macquarie Park.

11 October 2013

• Warships depart. Location: Sydney Harbour.

Need accommodation close to the fleet locations in Sydney Harbour?

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour provides comfortable and affordable serviced apartments close to Sydney Harbour with amazing floor-to-ceiling views of Darling Harbour so you can see the ships from the balcony or from your room!

If you want to save money by having a kitchen to prepare your own meals, then you'll love our apartments - each equipped with a kitchen to whip up a meal to your liking. Great for people with special dietary concerns or those wanting more control over what they eat. 

• Website: Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour (close walk to Sydney Harbour)

The building is close to major train stations, buses and ferries. Because the apartment is situated in the city, there are plenty of taxis available to catch on the street. Many of the fleet locations can be reached by foot from the apartment. Nearby there are also supermarkets, shops, restaurants, convenience stores, ATMs, medical centres and public toilets all within walking distance.

Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

Location: 132 Sussex Street (corner of Sussex Street and King Street)

• If traveling by taxi or shuttle bus, just show address shown in red to the taxi driver.
• If travelling by train, head to platform 1. These trains all go towards the City. The stop you need to get off at is WYNYARD. After alighting from the train, follow the signs to the York Street Exit. From here it is just a short walk to the Apartments. Upon exiting the station, turn right on York Street. Two streets along is King Street. Turn Right down this street. The apartments are located on the corner of Sussex and King Streets, three blocks down from York Street.

Here's a special to save you money:

Kids Stay FREE Package @ Metro Apartments on Darling Harbour

• $229.00* (Sunday - Thursday)
• $329.00* (Friday)
• $400.00* (Saturday)
• Details and To Book: http://www.metrohotels.com.au/special/316