Another rainy day in Sydney. Since it was just spitting rain, I decided to take a ferry over to Manly Beach. One excellent thing about staying at the Marriott is that it's just a couple of blocks from Circular Quay -- one of the main ferry stations.
Manly Beach is in the northern Sydney and was named by Capt. Arthur Phillip for the indigenous people living there. He wrote about them, "Their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place."
The ferry ride took about 30 minutes -- very scenic ride. There is also a fast ferry that will get you there in 18 minutes.
Walked along the beach for a bit (fortunately the rain had stopped) and then went into town for lunch. Stopped at a little place ('Mongers) for fish & chips and a glass of wine -- thanks to yelp! for the recommendation. Afterwards, went to Barefoot Coffee for a flat white. What? Never heard of a flat white? A flat white is a coffee beverage developed in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. It is prepared by pouring microfoam (steamed milk with small, fine bubbles and a glossy or velvety consistency) over a single or double shot of espresso. It is kind of like a cappuccino -- but with a higher proportion of coffee to milk, and milk that is more velvety in consistency.
Note: everyone raves about Manly Beach -- I thought it was nice -- but not that special -- of course the weather was crappy, so that didn't help much. It would be a great place to live -- on the beach -- and just 18 minutes to get into the center of Sydney. I know several TWers who live out there.
Hopped on a fairy back to Circular Quay (they run 2x a hour on Saturday). Lots of sail boats out and about -- I think there was at least 1 race going on (or about to start).
Very, very humid. Went back to the hotel to do some repacking (I fly to Auckland on Monday) and to cool off.
Then off to the opera. Dressed up a bit (I have 1 black dress with me -- but no shoes -- so wore flip-flops, very classy!). Great seats and a great performance of Carmen. I can't remember the last time that I went to the opera -- liked that they projected a rough translation of the lyrics above the stage (and who knew that they are called surtitles?) The only bad note for the evening was when the woman next to me dropped her smuggled-in can of Coke Zero at intermission -- fortunately I had just stood up -- so just nailed my feet -- the guy next to me wasn't so lucky. Oddly they made a very lame apology (saying that it was just Coke Zero -- as opposed to what?) and then took off for intermission -- they didn't bother to ask anyone to clean up the mess -- and were quite surprised when they returned and the soda puddle was gone (both I and the guy next to me asked someone to clean it up). I can't believe they were going to sit through another hour of opera in that mess!
According to the Aussies, Sydney Harbor is the world's largest natural harbor -- largest or not -- it's the most beautiful city harbor that I've seen.
Picture Notes: I didn't see any water dragons -- but I was looking! Notice the house with built in storage for surf boards & kayaks. The beach walk had a bunch of these little metal statues/figurines -- nicely done. Sydney Harbor at night. Random shot of a cruise ship docked at Circular Quay -- the 3rd one since I've been here.
Weather: rainy, cloudy, very humid, 81F
Wine: Rolling 2013 Sauvignon Blanc from Central Australia (nice -- very light -- cute label)
Transportation: 2 Ferries
Miles Walked: 7.5
Manly Beach is in the northern Sydney and was named by Capt. Arthur Phillip for the indigenous people living there. He wrote about them, "Their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place."
The ferry ride took about 30 minutes -- very scenic ride. There is also a fast ferry that will get you there in 18 minutes.
Walked along the beach for a bit (fortunately the rain had stopped) and then went into town for lunch. Stopped at a little place ('Mongers) for fish & chips and a glass of wine -- thanks to yelp! for the recommendation. Afterwards, went to Barefoot Coffee for a flat white. What? Never heard of a flat white? A flat white is a coffee beverage developed in Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. It is prepared by pouring microfoam (steamed milk with small, fine bubbles and a glossy or velvety consistency) over a single or double shot of espresso. It is kind of like a cappuccino -- but with a higher proportion of coffee to milk, and milk that is more velvety in consistency.
Note: everyone raves about Manly Beach -- I thought it was nice -- but not that special -- of course the weather was crappy, so that didn't help much. It would be a great place to live -- on the beach -- and just 18 minutes to get into the center of Sydney. I know several TWers who live out there.
Hopped on a fairy back to Circular Quay (they run 2x a hour on Saturday). Lots of sail boats out and about -- I think there was at least 1 race going on (or about to start).
Very, very humid. Went back to the hotel to do some repacking (I fly to Auckland on Monday) and to cool off.
Then off to the opera. Dressed up a bit (I have 1 black dress with me -- but no shoes -- so wore flip-flops, very classy!). Great seats and a great performance of Carmen. I can't remember the last time that I went to the opera -- liked that they projected a rough translation of the lyrics above the stage (and who knew that they are called surtitles?) The only bad note for the evening was when the woman next to me dropped her smuggled-in can of Coke Zero at intermission -- fortunately I had just stood up -- so just nailed my feet -- the guy next to me wasn't so lucky. Oddly they made a very lame apology (saying that it was just Coke Zero -- as opposed to what?) and then took off for intermission -- they didn't bother to ask anyone to clean up the mess -- and were quite surprised when they returned and the soda puddle was gone (both I and the guy next to me asked someone to clean it up). I can't believe they were going to sit through another hour of opera in that mess!
According to the Aussies, Sydney Harbor is the world's largest natural harbor -- largest or not -- it's the most beautiful city harbor that I've seen.
Picture Notes: I didn't see any water dragons -- but I was looking! Notice the house with built in storage for surf boards & kayaks. The beach walk had a bunch of these little metal statues/figurines -- nicely done. Sydney Harbor at night. Random shot of a cruise ship docked at Circular Quay -- the 3rd one since I've been here.
Weather: rainy, cloudy, very humid, 81F
Wine: Rolling 2013 Sauvignon Blanc from Central Australia (nice -- very light -- cute label)
Transportation: 2 Ferries
Miles Walked: 7.5
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