As a busy business man, I’ve never really had any time for leisure or fun. My daily routine seemed pretty stagnant and repetitive—the only thing that made me stay was the handsome (I would say pretty handsome) paycheck. Sometimes, it even made me wonder: “What’s the point of all this money, if you can’t spend it for yourself.” I mean, I’m not complaining about the penthouse or the expensive cars, but beyond the material pleasures, I’ve never really invested time or money on emotional fulfillment, like vacations or self care.

And that’s when I had to travel to Sydney for a business meeting. I never really had a plan to explore Sydney, but then I thought I might give it a try. The plan was to explore the beauties and nuances of Sydney after the meeting. I could have made the experience seamless by getting in touch with a travel agency. But for once, I thought I could do a solo travel journey—no help, just me navigating alone, discovering secret trails and routes as the journey unfolds. This is the least thing I could do to treat myself. And I started my research on how to explore Sydney, and this is how it unfolded over the course of three days:

Dinner Cruise in Sydney

My business meetings were scheduled for three days, and once the final meeting wrapped up on the last evening, I finally had time to explore Sydney on my own terms. I had looked up countless “must-do” experiences in the city, and one recommendation kept popping up: a Sydney Harbour dinner cruise. And let me tell you, it lived up to every bit of the hype.

I’m no stranger to cruises; I’ve attended plenty of client meetings aboard them. But cruising through Sydney Harbour was something else, this wasn’t just a cruise; it was a refreshing experience. I booked a luxury glass boat, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. With sweeping 360° views, I was surrounded by Sydney’s most iconic landmarks: the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, and the shimmering skyline that seemed to stretch endlessly. The four-course gourmet dinner only elevated the experience. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the city lit up around us, I realised I wasn’t just checking off a tourist activity, I was making a memory.

Blue Mountains

After the cruise, I craved something off-beat, off the streets — and Blue Mountains was the perfect choice. I planned to spend two days exploring the region—I thought I might waste time by spending two days on it. But forget two days, even a week won’t suffice to explore the region completely.

I began my hike early in the morning into the heart of the Blue Mountains. As I wandered through hidden trails, secret passages and uncovered untouched pockets of nature, it felt like stepping into a world removed from time. Along the way, I met a local woman who literally became my guide. With warmth and generosity, she shared insider tips that made my hike more personal and unforgettable.

One of the most unforgettable moments was scaling the canyons—a physically demanding venture that rewarded me with a surreal sense of freedom. That night, I camped under the stars with a fascinating group of strangers—nomads, couples, and even hippies. In that moment, nothing else mattered. My money, job title and social status melted away. All that remained was nature, meaningful conversations and a deep sense of being alive.

The next morning, I boarded a cable car just as the sun rose—the panoramic view of the majestic Jamison Valley was astonishing. On my way back down, I spotted glow worms glittering inside a cave, like tiny constellations lighting the darkness. The Three Sisters stood tall and proud, while the surrounding antique towns and sandstone ridges added a timeless beauty to the landscape.

When I returned to Sydney CBD and checked into the comfort of my hotel room, I was flooded with mixed emotions—an odd blend of emptiness and contentment. The grandeur of nature had stripped away the illusion of material success. For the first time in a long while, I felt deeply connected to something real. That short trip into the mountains didn’t just offer me an escape, it shifted my entire perspective. I learned to cherish silence, simplicity and the beauty of fleeting moments.