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Published: January 19th 2009
I made contact with a friend from residence at the U of A who lived in my residence tower and spent the night with him two days ago (my saturday night). I took the ferry from near the Opera house (which is a beautiful structure) and rode the ferry to a place called Manly. They have really nice beaches here, a great deal less touristy than Bondi, but the sand is definitely not as white and not nearly as nice though still quite amazing. My friend Sandy took me out surfing, to the local equivalent of our Peter's Drive-in (a chicken burger joint) and then out on the town.
He dropped me off at a hostel the next morning in Manly and despite being skeptical since it had a slightly higher price, I have had more fun here than the other hostel. It is moreso what I'd imagined from a hostel, a great deal cleaner, and more events going on. It is a great deal better than the 'run-down frat house' I'd stayed at previously. I am staying there two more nights with a Swiss fellow named Marco that I have been adventuring with. I took Sunday for myself because I hadn't completely settled or felt at home here, so I sat on a beach and read a book, went out for dinner and had an early night. It definitely made me feel a great deal better.
Today I woke up early and got a haircut. My hair had been going out of control and I was starting to look like one of the beetles. Now it is at the awkward phase that I am happy about short hair but dislike it. I need to let it grow out a little so it doesn't look so 'freshly cut'. After buying fruit from a fruit stand I met up with Marco and we left to go to the Aquarium. We took two ferries and spent almost 5 hours wandering around the Aquarium. I saw everything from jellyfish and turtles to dragon fish, sharks, manta rays and a crocodile feeding. There were several really cool underwater walk ways where the fishies would swim overtop of you and you could look the sharks right in the eye! The sharks pupils look black like an abyss, it is very unnerving looking into those eyes and then noticing the rows of unforgiving teeth. I saw a giant sea turtle which was a truely spectacular sight as well, its head was almost twice the size of two closed fists! I saw several jelly fish in Sydney's harbour and after the Aquarium I realised how dangerous they actually were... Thank god for the fish nets protecting the beaches! The final area in the Aquarium was probably my favorite. It was a display with sharks and wondrous fish of all colors admist corals and anemones of every shape and size. They were playing a nice piano/mellow jazz medley on one side of the enclosure and when you walked to the other they were playing the opening song from Disney's Beauty and the Beast in a little amphitheatre with large glass windows looking into the exhibit. Anyone who knows me well will know that I picked the side playing the Disney music. It was a truely wonderful day.
I unfortunately misinterpreted ferry rush hour and got back later then I had anticipated so I missed my chance to call a friend I had promised back home. I am sorry! I feel bad and will call you tomorrow =(
Tomorrow will find me on my way to the Blue Mountains. A day trip into the mountains around Sydney said to be one of the best trips in Sydney with spectacular views and wonderful waterfalls. I can't seem to escape geology at all in my travels... That's part of the reason I can't wait for my fellow geologist Dave to get here. I can't really talk meaningfully with non-geo's about how much they should appreciate an eroding limestone cliff, the beautiful beaches and how fine the sand is or even the mountains.
*My apologise for the lack of photos, they will come later but the internet is very slow At the moment.*
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Carleen Finn
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I love Manly. Beautiful Beaches. Enjoy Blue Mountains I didn't get there!