Let me try to remember the last 6 days! Early wake up in Melbourne for a 6:15am flight to Sydney! Landed at the Sydney airport.. took the train to Circular Quay and then ferried out to Manly.. when I met a new friend named Haley from the UK. We were both at the ferry terminal.. I had my backpack.. she had a backpack.. we both just came from the airport and both headed to Manly.. sweet!
While I was in Melbourne, I had booked a last minute place to stay in Manly. In Melbourne, I was staying in a guesthouse where I barely got any sleep and water pressure in the shower heads were non-existent so I thought that a treat to a stay at the Manly Sebel would be warranted! The room that was reserved was their most economical but it was fine since I would be across the street from the beach. Well, I arrived at 10:30am, my room wasn't to be ready until 2pm. Bummer!! Anyway, went to the bathroom and got changed since I was to meet Hayley at the beach at 1pm... gathered my stuff for luggage storage and the receptionist, Adelaide said the magic words..."your room is ready.. you've been complimentary upgraded!" I was so happy, I could have cried! Excited and thankful, I took my key and up to my room. I had been upgraded to one of the top floors.. beach front.. balcony over looking Manly beach... seriously?! Leaving Melbourne a day early and staying a night here was one of the best decisions ever made! Life is good!! Not even a seagull pooping on my beach bag can ruin the mood I was in! And yes, a seagull actually did!
So much more than just Sydney..!
Manly is such an awesome place! Great beaches, many beaches to choose from, just enough stores to keep you interested, showers at the beaches, water at 70F and food was reasonably priced! First day was all beach and then the second day, Haley and I rented bikes to ride up to North Head. The bike guy told us it would take 45 minutes each way.. we got there in 25 minutes.. hm. I was sad to leave my room at the Sebel the next morning to head into the city but what a great way to start my Sydney leg of the trip!
Left Manly late afternoon after beaching at Shelly Beach with Haley and Danny and headed into Sydney where I met up with MG for dinner, a friend I met while in Kona for the IM Worlds in October. He gave me the low down on the world of tri in Australia and the rivalries and what not. Interesting and funny to say the least! Next day, took the Opera House tour which is something I would recommend to anyone and everyone, such interesting history of the building that took 7 years to build! The Opera House and the Harbor Bridge was the highlight of the day..neighboring the two icons is an area called The Rocks, love the architecture of that area!
Next up, Bondi Beach! I didn't have high expectations for liking Bondi Beach since it was such a tourist attraction so to my surprise, I understand why!
I've been to a lot of beaches, around the world. The Dalmation Coast off of Croatia, The Costa del Sol off of Spain, The Algarve off of Portugal, The Amalfi Coast and the Mediterrean Coast off of Italy, Hawaii, Thailand.. off all those beaches.. Krabi Beach in Thailand is what I considered to be the best BUT Bondi Beach has the nicest softest white sand my feet has ever stepped on! Great beach, must beach, an entire day was spent there because I just didn't want to leave :-)!
Yesterday was my last full day here, I went back to my beloved Manly and also to Watson's Bay, a cute fisherman's town with a nude beach for those interested! Sydney is a great city.. not too big of a fan for the city center and the actual city but love the city surroundings and the suburb areas. I am sad to leave Australia.. such a great place with nice people! I look forward to coming back!!
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