Manly Beach: We’re like the locals!

I was very sleepy when I woke up this morning! After some cereal (and a skype date with Scott where he got to see his three favorite women!) we headed off to catch the free bus that would take us to Paddy’s market! I was actually very surprised there was such a thing as a “free” bus and I got talking to the bus driver who said they tried it a few years ago and it was very popular so they stuck with it! Erin and Mom were commenting on how I just went up and started talking to the driver (it started off as..”where do we get off?”) but honestly I just find it so amazing I am in a country where I can speak to people. It is SO awesome to get on a bus and say, “hey do you stop here?” or to go in a convenient store and say, “hey do you know where this is?” I just feel like talking to everyone because I can!

We arrived at the market which was HUGE (lots and lots of stalls) but it was nice because they weren’t very pushy (unlike many other markets). We spent the time doing some souvenir shopping before heading back. I think our original plan was to get the bus, but there was a TON of traffic so we ended up passing buses on foot. When we finally asked a bus driver she said there was a demonstration or rally or something so she was going to be stuck there forever. We decided we could just walk back (since it seemed quicker) but then we saw a few buses pass us so I don’t think they were stuck for a while!

It was about a 30 minute walk and we were all STARVING! We ended back at the hotel (well the area) and ate at a café. Mom and Erin had good sandwiches and I had pizza which was just ok.

We then walked back to the hotel to change into our bathing suits so we could head out to Manly beach! We pooled our sources to come to the conclusion that Manly beach is the “locals” beach and that taking the Ferry there is one of the best (and cheapest) ways to see Sydney from the water! The ferry was PACKED (I was really surprised how large the ferry was) so we ended up having to sit inside. It was about a 30 minute ride to Manly and then about a 7 minute walk down the corso to the beach. The beach was pretty and shaped like a half moon. We plopped ourselves down (ready for a good nap in the sun) only to be greeted by clouds! We couldn’t believe it! It was beautiful when we left the harbor, but we saw the massive cloud and realized the sun was NOT coming back! I was FREEZING (I don’t know how I grew up in NE because I have been cold since I got to Australia!)

Since it was obvious the sun was not coming back we decided to go and walk the corso area AND buy me a sweatshirt! Luckily we found a souvenir shop that was closing so we were able to buy some cheap things (including a $10 sweatshirt since I am a little baby). I was MUCH happier after (and probably more fun to be around!)

We decided to leave the beach so after a well needed ice cream (guess I wasn’t too cold for that) we took the ferry back to Sydney Harbor. We weren’t able to get a great seat this time, but Erin and I snuck up when we got close to try and get some pictures!

After showering, we decided to head over to Darling Harbor again (it is probably a 15 minute walk). Dinner was MUCH faster tonight (woohoo!) but I was sad it was my mom’s last night! On our walk around the harbor we did find a cookie place (that looked promising) but their cookies were dry (NOBODY can bake like Mamma Wilson). This time we splurged and got a cab home (our first cab of the trip) and it was well needed after a day of walking. We ended the night with Father of the Bride: Part Two which Erin had never seen and I started doing some research for Melbourne!

Hugs and kisses from Manly beach!