A Ferry to Manly...

Sydney, Australia

May 30, 2007
S 33°51.438
E 151°12.910

Today our destination on the ferry was Manly. We originally planned a beach day with Elise, but the weather forecast predicted rain in our perfectly, sunny city. We still decided to go to Manly and leave the beach towels at home.

After we jumped off the ferry we grabbed a map at the information center. We quickly reviewed the map and decided to take the Manley Scenic Walk along the harbor, hugging the coastline, and through the Sydney Harbor National Park. Yes, a National Park right in the harbor. We had to check it out!

We wrapped our way along the cove with the water to our left until we arrived at the trailhead of the Park. We started hiking down a single track path, dense brush on both sides. The scrub brush was dry, like it was ready for the first rains of winter that still haven’t arrived.

After zigzagging our way up the path for about 4 KM we found a perfect lookout providing a fabulous view of the Tasman Sea, the lighthouse we visited yesterday, and the small town of Manly. Knowing we were up against the ferry schedule we decided to make our way back to the Manly beach where Elise was brave enough to soak her feet in the chilly waters of the Tasman.

I thought to myself (minus Ecuador) we’ve had the opportunity to touch a lot of cold water over the last few months. I guess the warm water will come soon enough… in just a few days we’ll be in Cairns to see the Great Barrier Reef. In the meantime, we’ll continue to enjoy every minute of Sydney and take a few more ferry rides here and there.

A Day On the Bay...

Sydney, Australia

May 29, 2007
S 33°51.438
E 151°12.910

When we arrived in Sydney we purchased a “red pass.” The red pass allows unlimited travel on all buses, ferries and trains within a certain zone. To make sure we got our money’s worth; we’ve spent the past few days exploring Sydney on the ferries, giving us an opportunity to see areas we could only swim to see.

Yesterday we took the ferry to Watsons Bay, knowing there was a lighthouse at the point we figured we could shoot a few photos for my mom. Arriving at the point we remembered we were looking back across the Tasman Sea. The walk, and views, ended up being more spectacular than we expected.

The record setting temperatures in Sydney helped make the day magnificent as we dipped our feet into the chilly harbor waters. However, the weather turned quickly as the sun started to set. Jumping back on the ferry we made our way back to the city, with beautiful views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge as the sun set behind it. A view I don’t think I could get tired of.

For dinner we headed to Bill Granger’s restaurant, Bills, in Darlinghurst. As we strolled past the hip gallery openings, we realized we were strolling through a cool, up and coming neighborhood, similar to Hayes Valley in San Francisco. Bill Granger, a famous Sydney chef, was recently featured in Bon Appetite magazine; his restaurants attract food lovers from London, New York and San Francisco. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try his tasty cuisine since we were in his backyard.

Our love for Sydney continues to grow with the incredible weather, excellent food and efficient public transportation system.

What a Great Place to Get Lost...

Sydney, Australia

May 28, 2007
S 33°51.438

E 151°12.910

Today, our first weekday in Sydney, was spent taking care of things necessary for the next segment of our trip. For example, we went to the Vietnamese Consulate to apply for a visa for entry into Vietnam. The visa is required in advance and only valid for 30 days. Getting to the consulate was our main priority for the day.

Elise had the address and we reviewed the location on the map. “No problem,” I said, “we can walk… it’s only a 1 KM according to the scale on this map.” We arrived at the consulate after walking two hours, and at least 6 KM, only to find that the consulate had moved. We noted the new address posted on the gate and figured we would just walk and find it… no problem.

After another hour of walking we found the address posted on the gate; only to arrive at a house that was definitely not the consulate. We saw a gas station down the road where we tried to ask for directions to no avail.

OK, let’s just call them we decided… we found a pay phone and Elise dialed the two numbers, but only received a ring with no answer. Next we figured we would try to find a Vietnamese restaurant and see if someone there could help us… yes, desperation set-in and this wasn’t a viable plan. Luckily, as we were hatching our great plan, a young lady overheard us talking and provided directions via the train.

When we got off the train, which led us back to the same street we walked down hours ago, we instantly found the building—a building which we passed at least once! We figured we walked at least five miles one way… we were definitely taking the train home.

The consulate took our applications, money, passports and itinerary and told us to come back on Thursday. At least this time we know where we’re going.

Other Notes: After we dropped Elise off to get some rest (she’s fighting a cold) we headed out towards the Sydney Harbor Bridge. As we walked across, we had beautiful views of the Sydney Opera House and other historical landmarks across the Sydney skyline. We stayed in North Sydney until after dark to photograph and enjoy the skyline… stunning. We caught the ferry back from North Sydney and admired the views the entire way.

This really is a beautiful city!

Sunday in Sydney...

Sydney, Australia

May 27, 2007
S 33°51.438
E 151°12.910

The weather was perfect again, around 22 C (74 F), we headed across the street to a little café Myles recommended for a bacon and sausage roll. To make a long story short, the place probably shouldn’t have opened that morning. Their cook called in sick, one of the young ladies was trying to cook, people were walking out, canceling orders, and we waited around 50 minutes for our bacon sandwich (they were out of rolls). We could have walked out too, but figured we could wait it out since we didn’t really have a set itinerary for the day.

The sandwich was somewhat worth the wait, probably not 50 minutes, but maybe 30… we might try it again. Now sufficiently fueled up in every way—hydrated, caffeinated, and full—we headed towards the Royal Botanical Gardens. After walking through several Botanical Gardens in New Zealand we figured these may not compare. We were absolutely wrong!

We followed the paths throughout the Botanical Gardens, through a fern grove, flowers, and palms before discovering the huge colony of fruit bats living in the trees above our heads. The fauna was spectacular, of course, but the bats living in the trees were really something else. Their screams were almost deafening at times, with a very high pitch, as they hung upside down wrapped in their wings. They looked like rust-colored furry little balls hanging from the tree until they decided to stretch their massive translucent brown wings… creepy, yet intriguing, all at the same time.

We managed to find our way out of Transylvania and toward the Sydney Opera House. The Botanical Gardens end at the edge of the harbor, where a pathway leads east and west towards different precincts. We headed west with the bay to our right and made our way to the Opera House.

The Sydney Opera House is an international icon, something almost everyone has seen in the news, magazines, newspapers or travel guides. We read about it and knew we had to see it, but we didn’t have high expectations. We turned the corner on the path near the Opera House and were immediately in awe of the iconic building.

With the water in the background, the harbor bridge and the gardens surrounding the Opera House, we immediately fell in love with Sydney. We snapped a few pictures from afar and walked closer, slowly, like a guy trying to think of a pick up line for a hot chick across the room. How can we photograph such a beautiful building and give it justice? How do we explain the area surrounding the Opera House? Would we feel the same if the weather wasn’t so perfect, maybe a chilly 10 C?

We knew two things for sure, the day was perfect for a long walk and we may have found another city that we could call home. Of course, we have only been here two days, with a lot more exploring to do, so only time will tell.

We snapped out of our little trance as we walked away from the Sydney Opera House back towards our hotel. The plan was to meet the crew for a BBQ on the roof of their building and we wanted to enjoy the sun before it set behind the neighboring buildings.

We thought the BBQ was simply on the roof of the building, but when they told us to hit the “P” button in the elevator we started to understand. We were headed to the Penthouse (Myles and Ben’s boss’ place), with views of the harbor, city center, and all of the surrounding suburbs.

What better way to spend a Sunday evening in the beautiful city of Sydney, or should I say Gotham City? As the sun set against the skyscrapers, hundreds of bats took flight, crisscrossing against dusk skyline. It was a surreal site to see the bats, with their vast wingspan, stealthily flying over the city… their day just beginning.

Our day ended shortly thereafter since it was a Sunday night. We knew the Ozzies had to get up for work early in the morning. While the crew is at work, the rest of us (Marc, Elise and I) will be off exploring Sydney.

Familiar Faces Down-Under...

Sydney, Australia

May 26, 2007
S 33°51.438
E 151°12.910

We arrived at the airport with plenty of time before our flight left, checked in and headed to the Air New Zealand Lounge. It ends up the lounge was opened at midnight and was brand spanking new. The whole place had a new car smell to it, and we could tell they were working out a few of the kinks. One of the things we knew for sure, they had free internet and free coffee… free is good.

We took advantage of the free Wi-Fi, downloading the latest episodes of “The Office” and “Scrubs” at lightening speeds. “Scrubs” had two minutes left before it was completely downloaded when the lady at the counter walked over and told us our flight was in final boarding… oh shit. We’re at the airport 2 ½ hours early, the flight is late and we still almost miss it. We ran to the gate, they shut the doors behind us and we were off to Sydney.

We arrived in Sydney 3 ½ hours later and set our watches back two hours—it was right around 8:30 AM… we left at 7:00 AM. After finding our temporarily lost luggage, and confirming a flight with Thai Airways to Hanoi in two weeks, we caught the train towards the city.

Sydney is a place I’ve always wanted to visit, hearing it’s a lot like San Francisco, but much cleaner. I took the advice at face value and decided to formulate my own thoughts about the city. I figure I’ll have plenty of time to do so over the next two weeks we’re here exploring.

When we checked into the hotel the lady at the front-desk thought we had been there before. It took her a few seconds before she realized it was the name she had heard before, not the face. Elise, Marc’s step-sister and our friend, arrived in Sydney the night before us. She is staying with a few friends, Ozzies, who lived in Nevada City for a period of time. Elise left a message at the front-desk telling us to buzz their apartment in the building next door.

After showering and changing we headed to the apartment next door, literally next door, and buzzed the apartment. That is when we saw some familiar faces for the first time since Dustin and Shelby left us in New Zealand. It was a very comfortable feeling as we met Ben, hugged Myles and Elise and were welcomed to the apartment. (We met Myles at Christmas.)

The five of us headed out to Hyde Park to play a little Frisbee before working our way down to Darling Harbor. Darling Harbor has rows and rows of restaurants overlooking numerous boats in the harbor, the aquarium, and off in the distance the ANZAC suspension bridge; similar to the bridge planned for the new span of the San Francisco Bay Bridge. After indulging in Fish N’ Chips, we headed to Pier 26 for a different kind of indulgence, beer! The bar, located on the second level of the promenade, had a beautiful view across the bay.

We had a great afternoon and a few beers before heading back to the guys’ place for dinner and, of course, more beer. We tried to rally for a night out on the town, the first big city in quite awhile, but after an early morning flight and several years on the rest of the crew we opted for bed.

Our first day in Sydney was magnificent. It really helped being with locals to tell us where to go. Best of all, it was wonderful to be with familiar faces again.