Enchanting Sydney

For us, the city of Sydney was love at first sight. It has nearly all of the excitement of New York City plus amazing weather and beautiful sandy beaches. What's not to love? We immediately felt like we belonged.

Just look at these people waiting for the subway. They're getting around just like we normally do but live thousands of miles away from us. Crazy!


Our first day was gorgeous. A big blue sky and high sixties. And this is what they call winter! We sprang out of bed, anxious to make the most of our mere two days, and made a beeline for the city's most famous landmark, the Sydney Opera House. We walked around it, viewing from multiple angles, up close, and far away.

Recognize this?

So much texture when you get up close!

We also admired Sydney's well known steel arch bridge, the Harbour Bridge, and walked across it no less than three times (hey, we had to see the view during the day, at sunset, and at night!).

Hanging around by the Harbour.

View from the Harbour Bridge.

Since we have a thing for getting on boats, we hopped on a ferry for a fun and scenic ride across Sydney Harbour to Manly. The harbour was surprising quiet, with some other ferries and just a few recreational boats.

Beautiful blue Sydney Harbour.

Manly Beach is one of Sydney's northern beaches. It has golden sand and great surfing waves.

The water at Manly was so chilly we could only stand to dip our feet in.

We ended our fabulous day with amazingly rich chocolate cake and ice cream. We sat outside at Circular Quay (pronounced Kay) beneath heat lamps and the lights of the city.

Service after dark! Clearly we're not in New Zealand anymore.