Saturday, 21 June 2008

Sydney Aquarium

I always said I would like to revue days out so the best place to start would be one of my favourite places, none other than the Sydney Aquarium in Sydney, Australia.

You may have picked up so far that I have a very large soft spot for Australia. It is my favourite country and to be honest it feels like my home. When I visited at the start of the year I managed to talk my fellow traveller and my little brother to come to the Aquarium.

I looked forward to the visit all day and the warm breeze across Darling Harbour made it the perfect sightseeing day. We walked from the Opera House to where the aquarium is situated (30 minute walk)

The exhibition starts with some smaller displays of tropical fish close to a tank where a full size crocodile resides. As well as this novelty, there is a huge tank for seals but the real attraction being the underwater walk of massive sharks and positively the biggest stingrays and turtles around.

On leaving the shark tank, you walk through a very impressive tropical fish display, including a glass floor.

I would dedicate at least an hour of time to the aquarium, probably two hours to fully appreciate the place. I believe it's open quite late usually and costs around £15 for an adult. Once you see it, you will agree it is worth it though.

Verdict: The people behind the aquarium have done a very good job. It made for a very fascinating day out to which I would happily go back to.

Price: 8/10
Entertainment 9/10
Location 9/10 In one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

LongHorns, Stirling

On a quiet Wednesday night, we decided to go to Stirling to eat at our favourite restaurant, The Riverhouse however the car park was absolutely mobbed and decided against it. Heading back into Stirling town centre we found a little restaurant on Friar Street called Longhorns. I had noticed it before but never had the chance to try it out.

There were a few diners there, but it wasn't busy and we were seated a table or two away from the majority of the other customers. The tables, chairs and general furniture were certainly nothing spectacular, and could have done with an update but I reminded myself I was here to sample the menu.

Now, the menus were tatty laminated pieces of paper which offered up tex-mex cuisine. I struggled to chose between a bacon cheeseburger and an enchilada. Luckily, Tub wanted the enchilada too and we decided to have half and half.

Anyway, by this time the restaurant was getting busier and busier so the food took about 20 mins to arrive. When it did I was shocked by the size of the plates, they were huge! The food presentation was okay, my burger came in a nice bun with a bit of salad and a portion of fries. The enchilada came with the same, but was bathing in a puddle of salsa sauce.

The burger was quite good quality; it had a nice meaty taste and a generous slab of beef and bacon. The enchilada was the real winner though with large chunks of chicken and cheese in a deep fried wrap covered on salsa and sour cream. It was absolutely delicious and definitely a filler for even the biggest appetite.

So all in all, it was a most positive experience at Longhorns that even the most shabby interior could not put me off. I will certainly be going back for another enchilada in the near future.


Food 8/10
Service 8/10
Price 8/10

Verdict: A very modest, worthwhile eatery

Longhorns
Friar Street
Stirling