We arrived in the am from Hobart and got lucky with an early checkin at our Airbnb. Walked down to the water, around several harbors and through the botanical gardens. Snuck up on the Opera House from the back and explored around the outside. I didn’t realize it is several venues in several connected buildings. Walked down to Central Quay, snapping photos and admiring the constant in and out of the ferries. We explored a little in The Rocks district. This once was the derelict area of the city where the first exported criminals from Britain came. Now it is a hip and happening old section of town with a lot of character. That night we walked around The Rocks on an historic pub tour. Our guide, originally from Georgia, gave us tons of info on the history and culture of young Australia. We walked around the city exploring the next day. Generally averaging around 20,000 steps a day! Walked across the Sydney Harbor Bridge for the views. Not at the top as some do.
That night dinner at Mr Wongs a rather famous Chinese restaurant buried in an ally downtown. The 7 course meal was delicious (except for the calamari-still chewy to me). We rode up on the train to the Blue Mountains, hopping off at Kaluumba. Unbelievable how popular Scenic World is there. Bus after bus. It is kind of a touristy adventure park. It has many activities you could do and a large tram that went across a gorge in front of Kaluumba Falls. We opted to walk the cliff trail to the many lookouts along the way. Gorgeous views but until you pass Echo Point, the most popular lookout, the crowds are thick.
The Blue Mountains
Kaluumba Falls
The Three Sisters
Again it is still Holiday here. Who knows when that actually ends but everyone is out traveling. We stopped in Leura for a late lunch but everything in the town was closing. It was 2:30! We grabbed some food from a deli and sat at the train station outside having lunch, watching the cockatoos. The next day is ANZAC Day. Many people apparently get up for 4:20 services. We made it out by 10am to watch the parade downtown. Both Katie and I got a little teary watching the proud service people marching, playing drums or bagpipes at times. Everything except restaurants and bars are closed on ANZAC Day. The bars were spilling out in the streets by 10am, servicemen and women in their uniforms and friends and family gathered about. We had some time before lunch so caught a ferry to Neutral Harbor, a quick 15 minute circle tour across Sydney Harbor to catch the views of the bridge and the Opera House from the water. , We managed to get a lunch reservation back at Mr Wong’s as Katie wanted more from their extensive Dim Sum menu. We actually went back early to our apartment as we really needed to pick a campervan and plan a little for our trip north. The weather was misty and cloudy the next day but not actually raining so we took a ferry out to Manly Beach. A lovely small town on the edge of the ocean. The inner Sydney harbor is unbelievable how extensive the inlets are throughout, all with their own small towns and marinas. Even out at the ocean it only takes 20 minutes on the ferry to get right downtown. I can see why they have so many great sailors. We walked the Coastal Scenic Walk from Manly to Spit Bridge. Six plus miles of varying terrain from rain forest to Red Gum forests to dry dry bush.
Red Gum Forest
We saw an Australian Bush Turkey (the new built in intelligence with the iPhone camera is amazing!), Rainbow Lorikeets, and several Water Dragons sunning themselves on the rocks.
Water Dragon
Beautiful houses along the way. Very upscale.
Swimming Pool built into the harbor
Took a bus back to Manly after a beer at the marina in Spit Harbor. Then the ferry back to Sydney. The ferries are fast and frequent. I still don’t know what we pay for them though. You tap on with your phone then tap off when you get off. My charge card shows 64 cents for each trip and nothing for the busses yet. That is also true for the 2 hour train ride out to the Blue Mountains. Moving Day again. Out to pick up our van. Unfortunately my iPad decided to quit charging in Sydney. I am now writing on my phone. My eyes hurt.
Katie, the ‘Influencer’ We see so many want to be’s