AU2010 - Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe

Founded by Guy and Liliane Foubert in 1960, Guylian chocolates has since been exported to over 100 countries around the world, thus earning them a recognition that is synonymous with premium Belgian chocolates.

 

 

Joining the chocolate cafe race in Sydney (together with Lindt and Max Brenner) with two branches, we decided to check out the branch at The Rocks.

 

 

After browsing through their premium priced menu, …

 

 

… we settled for the Guylian Belgian Chocolate Dips and Fruit.

 

 

Made of premium dark Belgian chocolate, our warm Aztec Gold (65% cocoa) chocolate fondue was complemented with bananas, strawberries, pineapples and kiwis. Next came the Belgian Waffle …

 

 

… that was served with Guylian praline ice cream and Asian (56% cocoa) chocolate dip. Lastly, we had the Ice Cream Taste Pallet, …

 

 

… which came in a selection of Guylian white chocolate and raspberry ice cream, …

 

 

… praline ice cream …

 

 

… chocolate ice cream …

 

 

… and espresso ice cream.

 

 

Not forgetting also was their famous Guylian Hot Milk Chocolate for the cold and rainy weather.

 

 

Like their competitors, Guylian also sells a range of their finest Belgian chocolates in store.

 

 

And the best thing about them was their famous chocolate sea shells, which were said to still be hand-made according to their age-old traditional recipe, thus making each and every one of them unique!!

 

 

Guylian Belgian Chocolate Cafe
91, George Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000.
Phone Number: +61 2 8274 7500

AU2010 - Sydney Observatory

Located on a hill now known as 'Observatory Hill' in the centre of Sydney, …

 

 

… this site has evolved from a fort built on 'Windmill Hill' in the early 19th century to an astronomical observatory, known as Sydney Observatory.

 

 

First used as a signal station in 1825,  flags were used to send messages to ships in the harbour and to the signal station on the South Head of the harbour.

 

 

Then in 1858, it was converted into a full observatory to replace the failed “initial” observatory at the foot of Observatory Hill.

 

 

Besides astronomy and timekeeping, over the years, it has also made observations in a wide range of other fields including surveying, tides and meteorology.

 

 

And since 1982, the Sydney Observatory has been converted into a working museum and is open to the public for free.

 

 

Among the interesting artefacts on display in this museum include Matthew Flinder’s log book, … 

 

 

… the biggest clock in the world, …

 

 

… Breguet astronomical clock, …

 

 

… and a ceilometer.

 

 

Not forgetting also, is the huge range of telescopes on display, from modern portable telescopes to the oldest working telescope in Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And to make things more interesting and interactive, one could also try to make their own telescope on site.

 

 

Although we learnt a lot from our visit, the highlight of the day was something totally unrelated to astronomy, the superb views from the courtyard …

 

 

… overlooking Sydney Harbour and the bridge!!

AU2010 - The Rocks Aroma Festival

Does “Have a drink with Mona Lisa” sound familiar to you?

 

 

The above pictures are among the many that were circulating through emails all around the world, featuring the incredible 3604-cup Mona Lisa coffee sculpture that achieved a Guinness World Record. And guess where was that?

 

 

Yes, it was part of The Rocks Aroma Festival 2009 in Sydney. And for this year, Aroma Fest was back on the 25th of July!!

 

 

Considered a divine world of coffee, tea, chocolate and spice, visitors (or rather coffee, tea, chocolate and spice lovers) are invited to explore the divine taste sensations during the festival. Separated into four unique destinations, this festival included The Oasis, The Orient, The Latin Quarter and The Continent.

 

 

During our visit, we started off by visiting the Latin Quarter, where one could soak up the colour and vibrancy of Latin American with Guatemalan roasts, chocolates from Peru and Bolivia, and high-energy capoeira.

 

 

As we walked past the Museum of Contemporary Art, …

 

 

… we arrived at The Continent, an European-style piazza with Italian blend coffee, artisan chocolates, hand-picked olives and music from the quirky Barons of Tang.

 

 

Further down the road at Campbell Cove, was where The Orient was located.

 

 

Here, visitors get to sample herbal teas, Indonesian coffee and chai, pick up exotic spices and catch an explosive drumming performance by Taikoz.

 

 

Moving on…

 

 

… our last stop was at The Oasis, …

 

 

… a magical and exotic land with Turkish coffee apple tea, gozleme, belly dancing, whirling dervishes …

 

 

… and camel rides!!

 

 

Walking along George Street back into Circular Quay, …

 

 

… we came across, possibly, the most interesting (and cutest?!?!) stalls of the whole festival, Naked Berry …

 

 

… and My Little Cupcake!!

 

 

 

I suppose, the best thing about this festival was, visitors get to try cups of coffee, tea and hot chocolate for only $2 (instead of the usual $3, $4, $5 or even $10). But in order to attract more customers, some stalls did offer free sampling, such as Bondi Chai Latte …

 

 

… and Disaster Bay Chillies (although not really a drink).

 

 

 

Anyway, putting food and drinks aside, the actual (or rather main) reason why we visited the festival this year was for the coffee sculpture, as the Aroma team attempts to break their Mona Lisa world record!!!

 

 

Thus, the Grinders Coffee and Riverina Fresh milk presented their Masterpiece, …

 

 

… a bigger and better 5200-cup Marilyn Monroe sculpture!!

 

 

Ranging from short blacks to flat whites, the 5.3 x 6.5 metre sculpture was expected to be recognised as a new world record.

 

 

Let’s see what other sculptures they will come up with during the Aroma Fest next year, scheduled to be held on the 31st of July 2011!!