After a 10 hour flight on Jetstar, and a circuitous van shuttle from the airport; we arrived in Sydney late Sunday evening. Our hotel, the Lord Nelson Brewery, was conveniently located in The Rocks, a short walk from the iconic image of Sydney, the Sydney Opera House. We climbed onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the above photo at sunset. The harbour is a picturesque hub of activity. Ferries are coming in and out of Circular Quay, businessmen and tourists alike are getting on and off of ferries and trains, street performers are playing didgeridoos for spare change. We walked all around The Rocks and hit several historic pubs.
On day two we went for a run right up to the Opera House and through the Botanical Gardens. We then retraced our steps on a long walk with the camera. Lindso had a seat in Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. This stone bench was carved out by convicts in 1816 so the the wife of Governor General Lachlan Macquarie could sit here under the trees and watch for ships sailing into the harbour from England.Later that evening we had the first of many encounters with the exceptionally friendly and open Australian people. It was Saint Paddy's day, and much like in America, everyone is a little bit Irish on St Paddy's day. The pubs were packed with young drunk Aussie's dressed in green. We sat at a quieter pub, and soon were engaged in conversation with Jerry and Terry, two Aussies from the next table over. We shouted each other a few rounds, and they invited us to dinner with them at the next pub. By the end of the night we had pub-hopped to at least five different places with them and had a great time. In all of our travels, Australia is only the second place I've been (Ireland is another) where total strangers will strike up a conversation with a tourist and invite them along for a night on the town. We're beginning to like this country.
Day three found us riding the ferry to Manly Beach. The view of the harbour from the water should not be missed. Manly is a fantastic Maui-quality beach, just a 60 minute ferry ride from the city center. It's long promenade has all the surf clothing shops and restaurants, and the at the end of the street lies a huge white sand beach with surfable waves. Only Miami and Los Angeles in the US, have beaches this nice this close to the city.
Later on we took the train out to famous Bondi Beach. Almost as nice as Manly, Bondi is only 20 minutes by train from the center. This would certainly be the place to live in Sydney. I've never seen a more fitness oriented beach in my life. We saw people surfing, jogging, competing in a swim race, rowing, doing calisthenics at a Venice-Beach type area, rollerblading, and biking.
Day three found us riding the ferry to Manly Beach. The view of the harbour from the water should not be missed. Manly is a fantastic Maui-quality beach, just a 60 minute ferry ride from the city center. It's long promenade has all the surf clothing shops and restaurants, and the at the end of the street lies a huge white sand beach with surfable waves. Only Miami and Los Angeles in the US, have beaches this nice this close to the city. Later on we took the train out to famous Bondi Beach. Almost as nice as Manly, Bondi is only 20 minutes by train from the center. This would certainly be the place to live in Sydney. I've never seen a more fitness oriented beach in my life. We saw people surfing, jogging, competing in a swim race, rowing, doing calisthenics at a Venice-Beach type area, rollerblading, and biking.
