The world's best Ibis Hotel? Ibis Saigon Airport

This hotel ticks all the boxes.
Free shuttle from/to the airport (or you can walk it if you travel light and don't mind tackling the traffic), funky decor, delicious and comprehensive buffet breakfast in the bistro, rooftop bar, pool and recreation rooms, quiet rooms and cheap tariff.

Lobby with shuttle bus outside

Killer Vietnamese breakfast or eggs to order

Rooftop lap pool with runway views

Some rooms have kitchenettes - hotplates and microwave

"Quicksand"/"Storst av allt" (Netflix), perfect binge material - no spoilers

With only six episodes (each around 45 minutes), this Swedish mini-series is an easy binge-watch.
There is a lot to like: glamorous south of France locations (Episode 1), lifestyles of the Stockholm's upper class, tense courtroom scenes, socio-economic tensions, untangling the puzzle of the high school shooting (you don't discover the truth until the final minues of the series).
Being based on the best selling novel means you get to say bye to the ritzy suburb of Djursholm at the end of the series - no needless Season 2 (like "Big Little Lies").

"Pose" Season 2, Episode 6, "Love's in need of love today" Musical references

"Pose" Season 2 certainly maintains the standard. Ryan Murphy has proved himself the master for staging television musical numbers. Episode 5's funeral home climax ("What would Candy do?") left Baz Luhrmann in the shade.

You don't have to be in the LBGT community to enjoy this show. It helps if you were an adult in the 80's to appreciate the references.
This episode certainly ticked lots of boxes. Nods to gay icons Judy Garland and Madonna, plus another, Patti Lupone, sings the Sondheim "Follies" classic "I'm still here".
From classic torch songs "The man that got away" (Harold Arlen/Ira Gershwin) to Stevie Wonder's "Love's in need of love today" to close the episode.
Not one, but two Sondheims: "Sooner or Later" (Madonna's "Dick Tracy" torch song).
All packed into under 50 minutes.


NB. Lupone's Frederica Norman is a thinly disguised NYC "Queen of Mean" Leona Helmsley.

Five great things about the mini-series "Lambs of God"

• It's only four short episodes. Many mini-series wear out their welcome with 8 or 10 episodes.

• Esse Davis (so glamorous as 1920's detective Phryne Fisher) is almost unrecognisable playing Sister Iphigenia. Love the contact lenses.

• Sister Carla's "Moses in the bullrushes" word play.

• 85 year old Donald McAlpine's glorious cinematography.

• The east coast of Tasmania locations (Tasman Island, Cape Pillar) used to stand in for the isolated English island.

Five great things about Epix's "Pennyworth"

• Jack Bannon, looking like a young Dirk Bogarde crossed with Michael Caine's "Alfie"

• Paloma Faith - stealing every scene, channelling ITV's "Vera"

• London art direction: 1700's/1940/swinging 60's -  WW2 barrage balloons, airships overhead, gibbets and criminals in stocks arranged around Trafalgar Square, Soho neons ("The Rubber Strumpet"). Like "Gotham", loads of steam and smoke billowing across the landscape.

• Lord Harwood's (Jason Flemyng) entrance alighting from his Rolls Royce (Licenced plates "1964"), striding across the mall in flowing supervillain robes.

• Co-Producer Bruce Heller's snappy dialogue and weird walk-ons. Who was the waiter dressed as a forest creature in the gentleman's club at the start of  Episode 3?
  

Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden - free entry

How to get there:

Wendy Whiteley's (Brett Whiteley's widow) Secret Garden is in Lavender Bay, North Sydney. 

Please respect the place, as well as Ms Whiteley privacy.

Closest ferry wharf is Milsons Bay (Luna Park)

Walk along the Lavender Bay coastal trail (Peter Kingston Walkway) until you get to the railway overpass

Climb the stairs, look for the distinctive 4 storey house next to the huge Moreton Bay Fig

Once a wasteland on public land, this garden is open to the public. There is a visitor book to sign.

The garden is filled with places to sit. There is a network of paths following the steep banks.

The end of the garden

North Sydney Public Art Trail "The Comic Walk"

The trail begins behind Luna Park (closest ferry is Milsons Point). Some of the art works (all on pedestals) are hidden amongst scrubs and grasses.

Keep your eyes peeled for Norman Lindsay's The Magic Pudding, Pat Sullivan's Felix the Cat, May Gibbs' The Gumnut Babies, The Banksia Men and Ginger Meggs.

Lavender Bay

Dorothy Wall's Blinky Bill 

Michael Leunig's Teapot and duck

Arthur 'Art' Barton - 'the Rembrandt of Luna Park' - responsible for the funfair's artwork for 35 years

Peter Kingston Walkway, with Coney Island/Luna Park in the background.

Sydney Hilton vs Sofitel Darling Harbour - How do they measure up?

1. Location

Sofitel is right on the Light Rail, close to ferry wharves; but Hilton is more central - Queen Victoria Building, Pitt Street Mall, Town Hall metro station .

Sofitel has the views (if you pay extra for a Darling Harbour facing room)

Sofitel Darling Harbour

Hilton's central location - some rooms have harbour views

2. Club Lounge Access
 Sofitel's top floor Club Millesime is spectacular but the food and beverage offered during "Evening Canapes" is disappointing compared to Hilton's Executive Lounge.

Club Millesime Evening drinks 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Hilton's evening canapes - prawns, salads, hot dishes, antipasto

Hilton lounge - fresh bread

Hilton's executive lounge - afternoon tea

Generous 'top ups' in the bar (unlike Sofitel)

Hilton's lounge during evening drinks (6 p.m. - 8 p.m.)

Hilton has several sections in their lounge, feels more intimate

3. Breakfast

Hilton's Glass restaurant. Breakfast. Incredible range of buffet dishes plus a la carte. Sofitel's breakfast looks meagre by comparison.

4. Rooms
Sofitel's rooms are over furnished and seem cramped. The lighting system is poorly designed, no indirect lighting. The night light is more dazzling. Many rooms have the bed right up against the open planned bathroom.

Sofitel King Room

Hilton's "Relaxation Room" is spacious and well designed.

5. Swimming Pool/Gym
Sofitel's (infinity) pool is outdoor and barely heated. There are pleasant views across Darling Harbour/Cockle Bay. The gym is on the same level.
Hilton shares a huge gym and lap pool with Fitness First in the Basement level. There are poolside saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzi. Mornings can get busy with the before-work crowd.

Verdict: Hilton wins in all categories.

The only positive with Sofitel's lounge is the 'no kids under 12 years' policy during evening drinks period.