Richard Glover's Wicked Tourist Advice Richard Glover's Drive Program has been asking listeners for some wicked travel tips to help all the visitors about to arrive for the Olympics. Audio Files If you have "Real Player" you can listen to some of the tips sent in by listeners of 702 ABC Sydney. Travel Tips #1 59seconds Steaming Audio Travel Tips #2 1min 29seconds Streaming Audio Travel Tips #3 2min 1second Steaming Audio Richard's Tips Here are some of Richard's own tips which he used to kick off the competition: - When in the water at Bondi, always be sure to wave enthusiastically to the lifeguard, so he'll know exactly where you are. - The tolls on the harbour bridge are voluntary. You should only contribute if the toll officer sings for you, or at the very least plays an instrument. - When visiting the top restaurant the Rockpool, be sure to joke with Neil Perry about how he lost his Good Food Guide hats last year. Neil is very relaxed about it, and finds the jokes "hilarious". - It is traditional to bargain with Sydney taxi drivers over the fare. On no account pay what is on the meter, as this will be sure to cause offence. - Before attempting the traditional climb of the Opera House sails, always remove your shoes. - Money lost at the Star City Casino is refundable at the end of the night. Just have a word to one of the kindly security guards. - You'll find Kerry Packer's luxury yacht, Arctic P, moored in the harbour. Just clamber aboard, as Kerry loves surprises. - The Olympic "Clearway" lanes are kept completely clear of traffic so as to provide cheap parking. - The monorail is no longer in service. The metal track, though, is now available to American visitors for rollerblading, or simple sunbaking. So, what did listeners come up with? Judging was tough with close to two hundred entries, but here are the winners: Frances Bradfield - Gladesville When surfing at Bondi, do not be surprised if a hooter sounds and the swimmers around you head for the shore. This is a local custom to allow our visitors to have uncrowded enjoyment of the waves.....and if you happen to have a shark appear - they are very tame and love to be patted on the nose. Sarah Napthali - Willoughby Sydneysiders love to hear constructive feedback especially if given with our favourite accent: British. If you can think of any way to improve our city - perhaps in your country you've found a better way to do something- tell the Sydneysiders you meet in as much detail as you can. They'll thank you for it'. Richard Murnane - Dee Why Tip: Tourists crossing the Harbour Bridge will be pleased to know that Bureau de Change offices are installed in all lanes, where you can charge your home currency for Australian dollars. Feel free to haggle to get the best exchange rate. Angie Michaelis - no suburb Sydney has vibrant drinking houses and a lively tradition to match. Join in the fun by following a local custom - after every third drink, catch the eye of as many people as possible and call out loudly, "It's my shout!". Pamela Griffith - Bardwell Park Parliament House is open to the public .....From the public Gallery it is possible to see of Australia's finest actors, Robert Carr, perform in the role of Abraham Lincoln. Garry - no suburb If sunburnt while in Sydney. A good remedy is to sleep naked between fresh bed sheets, which have had a hand full of Bondi sand sprinkled liberally between them. Gil Bratby - no suburb While bathing in the Harbour remember that any Jelly Blubbers you may swim into can be used to beef up your bra or sluggo size. These do-it-yourself beauty enhancements come in many different sizes and colours and are GST free. Joan Tandier - Manly Keep an eye out for one of the hundreds of delightful creatures that decorate our beautiful beaches, The Blue Bottle. You'll have hours of fun picking these creatures up by the tail and swinging overhead. Richard Tier - Mosman Visitors to Sydney will notice a unique road service provided to assist tourists: special sightseer lanes on the Harbour Bridge and elsewhere, marked B-U-S, which stands for Banned Unless Sightseeing. Susan Fookes - North Richmond. Don't worry about getting to the station early - Sydney trains always run on time. Jym McPhee - Woy Woy The 'T" lane means Tourist Lane, so that Tourists can stop on the Harbour Bridge to look at the Opera House. Steven - no suburb Small silver scooters are ubiquitous throughout the city and are provided free by the State Transit Authority....just approach someone riding one and ask them firmly to give up the scooter...they may protest...but don't be put off. You may need to physcially wrest the scooter from the other rider. Jan McCauley - no suburb Unless you have 'top cover' travel insurance, do not attempt to drive across the Harbour Bridge as the trip up and over the arch is extremely hazardous. P.M. - Forbes Vegemite is a very mild flavoured chocolate for putting on bread. To fully appreciate it you should spread it at least 1 inch thick. Kriss - no suburb Most Australian families leave all their clothes at the front door ( a bit like the Japanese do with their shoes). If you are invited to an Aussies home, disrobe as soon as you enter the front door. Margaret Connely - no suburb When a local says he's going to "shoot through" take it literally - and run for your life. David Hobbs - no suburb If you want to see kangaroos, stand on George Street at 5.05 pm and yell "cooee" five times - reminding them to come out of their burrows under the Queen Vic building. Richard Ludlow - Springwood 'When visiting the Opera House - rows A to K are best for mobile phone reception and for flash photography.... Anton and Justine Reisch - no suburb The viewing windows from the Sydney Harbour Tunnel are open to the public outside peak hour. The best access is via the southbound tunnel: parking is provided at intervals along the tunnel. Richard set up the competition by reading out some of his own ideas; then offered double passes to Company B Belvoir's new production of The Marriage of Figaro (part of the Olympic Arts Festival at the Drama Theatre in the Sydney Opera House) to the best 25 offerings. The winning entrants were also invited to an exclusive forum with the cast and crew of the play on Monday 21 August. The lucky 702 winners listened to director Neil Armfield, actors Jacek Koman and Leah Purcell and Sound Designer Sean Peter explain how they prepare daily for the performance of Beaumarchais’ classic piece, which has been adapted by Geoffrey Rush and Neil Armfield. The full forum discussion can be heard on 702 ABC Sydney’s Drive program during Richard Glover's Critics' Forum on Wednesday 23 August between 5.30pm and 6pm. L to R Sean Peter, Neil Armfield, Jacek Koman and Leah Purcell Richard Glover Richard Glover fired questions at the panel on how they research their characters, how one adapts such a classic work for the modern audience and what physical and psychological warm up exercises they use (with hysterical on-the-spot demonstrations from Leah Purcell and Jacek Koman). Sean Peter and Neil Armfield Jacek Koman and Leah Purcell Richard Glover   back to previous page
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