Feb 6 thru Feb 10 – we arrived in Sydney Harbor at 5:30am, Feb 6. I can’t tell you how glad I was to be docked for the last time, especially after two rough days in the Tasman Sea. It would take me a couple days to feel good again. Both of us also continued to feel that swaying sensation on land for 2 days. That said, we found Sydney to be a fantastic city. We arrived on Monday, Feb. 6, and will depart back home, Friday, Feb 10.
We got off the boat early and went to “The Rocks” section of town for breakfast with Ted and Marcia. It was a great breakfast but I didn’t eat much since I was still a little queasy.
Sydney is absolutely one of the most expansive (Sydney harbor is a huge harbor area) and vibrant waterfronts I’ve ever seen. There’s a very convenient ferry system and an excellent mass transit system to make it easy to go anywhere in and around the city. There is also a really cool blend of old and new architecture, and lots of very upscale shopping areas. Every high end brand you can think of had multiple locations throughout the city. But frankly, not many people were buying. There are also a lot of outdoor sculpture, parks, trees, flower gardens and other green space throughout the city. It’s very active at night and we felt very safe. Considering how big a city it is, we saw a lot less car traffic than you might expect. It’s extremely “pedestrian friendly”.
Geeeezzzz, I was so glad to be docked in Sydney. I went to breakfast but didn’t eat much….
These pics were taken at night from the ship. We docked at a perfect spot!
The view from our room at the Hyatt Regency
On our second day in Sydney, we took the ferry to Manley, one of Australia’s most popular seaside resorts. Swimming (or “bathing” as it was called at the time) was not allowed on Manley Beach until 1903. “During the first official bathing season…..17 people drowned on Manly Beach. A year later a surf club was formed on the beach to safeguard the public. While there is debate about which club is the oldest, Manly Life Saving Club is one of the world’s first surf life saving clubs.” In the picture below, the young kids in the red swimming suits (lower left) were training to become future life guards. The second picture is a memorial to honor the life guards that have performed over 41,000 sea rescues since the club was formed.
This dog was having a blast despite the strong current
A oceanside saltwater pool. There is also a boardwalk extending the entire length of the beach
These pines are really unique. They have huge, exceptionally tall and straight trunks but none of the branches are more than 5-6 inches in diameter.
This little guy was talking to his dad who was just off to the side behind him. I thought it was some kind of fake moving mannequin until I went to take a pic and he said hi!
Jeff and Julie flew home the next day. More to come…..this is one very cool city