Sydney

We drove up from Kiama and had a short day and a half stay in Sydney.  This was always our intention.  Randall had been here four different times and the rest of us had spent days in the city on previous trips and felt we had completed all the “must do’s”. 

This time we looked to the suburbs to spend our limited time.  The top two “must do’s” in the suburbs were a trip to Manly and the completion of the Coogee to Bondi Beaches hike.  Both boxes were ticked.

Sydney is arguably one of the three most expensive cities in the world in terms of real estate.  Think of Manly as the West Vancouver of Sydney.  It is located just 17 minutes away from Circle Quay in Sydney’s CBD by fast ferry and is only 17 kilometers away by Uber.  It is famous for its laid-back lifestyle, beautiful homes, tree-fringed Manly Beach (very popular with surfers), with broad coastal views from both the beach on the Pacific side and Manly Cove from the Warf.

We left our hotel near the airport in an Uber to get a little closer look at the various neighbourhoods driving through both Seaforth and Balgowlah along the way.  It is easy to see why this is some of the most expensive real estate in the world.  Residents live in stately older grand homes on tree-lined streets with many having views of the ocean.  (oh and did I mention the weather is great year around!)

Someone Borrowed My Lamborghini

Manly Beach

Ever Present Red & Yellow Lifeguards

Our driver dropped us off at the Warf on the Cove side and we walked the buzzing pedestrian strip called the Corso.  It is lined with pubs and eateries.  We enjoyed a Thai lunch just off the Corso and it was inexpensive, tasty and filling.

We took a stroll along the seawall to walk off our lunch and enjoy the surfers, swimmers, and boaters playing in the bay.  Randall successfully found the restaurant he had dinned in 17 years ago while attending the Rugby World Cup.

We Didn't Think We Would See One of These ...

And Then We Did!

A Little Rest And People Watching On The Corso

Pubs here (and in many parts of Australia) are child-friendly.  We had arranged to meet the daughter and family of our long time Abbotsford friend Don in the Steyne Pub immediately across from the beach.  We spent a few very enjoyable hours with Molly, Nick and their toddlers (Parker and Riley) in addition to Molly’s mum Helen.  We had a great time visiting and having a few libations while the kids played. 

Pub Immediately Across The Street From The Beach

Getting Reacquainted:  Deborah, Helen & Doreen

Family Get Together In The Pub

The Birthday Couple

The notion of children in pubs is new to us but it happens here regularly and seems to keep the generations together.  It might even lend itself to a calmer pub atmosphere.  Here we were in a pub on a Sunday afternoon with a bunch of 20 something huge men standing around drinking beer and cheering on a vicious MMA fight on the big screen, while children wandered between them.  A bit surreal but it seems to work just fine here.

We waved good-bye as the children’s meal/bedtime approached and headed back to Sydney via a fast ferry.  We highly recommend this approach.  The view from the ferry of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera house at sunset was truly stunning.  I don’t think the pictures were able to do it proper justice but we tried. 

Manly Warf

Old Slow Manly Ferry

Harbour Bridge & Opera House (Left Of Bridge)

We ended the evening with a meal and celebration of Doreen & Randall's birthdays.  Here in Australia, you get to celebrate your birthdays twice if you are Canadian.  March 7 was a celebration here and back home March 7 falls on the following day, hence two birthdays.  Deborah, Randall, Doreen and I will all have had double birthdays before we return home.

On our full day, we decided to do the Coogee to Bondi beaches hike.  It is a scenic seaside walk covering 7 km.  It is hilly and has sections of stairs but the surfaces are flat, comprised of rock, concrete or decking.  There are multiple water drinking fountains along the way.  We started with a coffee in Coogee and waited out a morning squall.  Sure enough, it came in quick and left the same way.  The rest of the walk was in brilliant sunshine.

Coogee For Coffee & Shelter From The Squall

Suns Out At Coogee - Start Walk

We took our time and stopped continuously to take pictures.  If you moved steadily you could do it in just over an hour.  We took just over two.  The clifftop walk features stunning views, beaches, parks, cliffs, bays and rock pools. The beaches and parks offer a place to rest, swim or a chance to eat at one of the cafes, hotels, restaurants or takeaways.  We didn’t partake but many folks did.  Judging by the many languages we heard along the way, the Walk is definitely something tourists do and is well worth the effort.

Art:  The Sculpture - Not The Jumpers

Not A Bad Spot For An Eternal View

We arrived at the iconic Bondi beach a little tired and hungry.  We dined on the main street across from the beach and Ubered back to our hotel.  Due to an early flight the next morning we chose to stay in the hotel for the evening dining on Uber Eats and playing Rummikub.

Bondi Is Still A Ways Off

Arrived

We were unanimous in our group that Sydney has so much to offer in the way of beauty and interest that perhaps we could have spent more time despite our previous visits.