Ferry to Manly - Beach and kayaking
Trip Start
Feb 16, 2008
1
5
33
Trip End
Jul 22, 2008
Manly,
Australia
Friday, February 22, 2008
Took the CityRail to the Ferry at Circular Quay. I met this LOVELY older retired couple, Peter and Jan, from Darwin on the ferry and they served as my tour guides of the Harbour and surrounding area on the ferry. They were so nice, explaining what things are, where to go, what to do. We stood along the railing. They were so so nice! Once we reached Manly, Peter jaywalked across the street and I started to follow, being the city-dwelling jay-walker I've been, it was completely natural...well, Jan grabbed my arm and held me back, in a very motherly sort of way. It was really cute. She then scolded Peter.
I headed down "The Corso" a long boardwalk type of area with lots of shops and places to eat - a total tourist trap
Manly Beach
. Reached the beach, camped out and enjoyed the waves. I've deteremined that I am the second palest person in all of Australia. Hung out on the beach, listened to my IPod and the waves then went for a walk to the other end of the beach. A few times I sat there just giddy. I felt SO happy and again, had to remind myself that I'm in AUSTRALIA, sitting on the beach!!!!Met a nice guy from Toronto who I asked to take my picture. Once I speak EVERYONE knows I'm from America. When I tell them I'm from Chicago (to make it easier), especially the Canadians, they say I don't have a Chicago accent. Then I have to explain I haven't really lived in Chicago for 13 years, lived in DC, AZ, etc...blah blah...
So kayaking - very cool. I paddled out to past the Manly Harbour and went around this bend where there was a more secluded beach and several sailboats. One was just huge and beautiful! Around another bend I found three more little beaches. It was so relaxing just floating along...I saw para-sailors and basically the north end of the Harbour which is the Pacific.
After kayaking, I got some ice cream and wandered in and out of some of the shops
Whitest girl in all of Australia!!
. One had all of these neat little books and jewelry. It had the funniest book called something like No Tattoos Until Your Thirty -- advice of sorts written to her children. It cracked me up. Not sure if they sell in in the states, but maybe you can look through it on Amazon. Some funny stuff. I hope this is exciting for all of you to read...
On the ferry back, I sat on the other side and saw the coolest thing...50 to 100 sailboats all sailing! They reminded me of butterflies. I got a few pics, but my camera battery started to die...
Comments
:)
So glad to hear that you are loving Australia! Thanks for keeping us updated with your stories and beautiful pictures!! I can't help but smile when reading your blog.
xoxo