(...Contd from "Sydney Stories 1")
Day 2 in Sydney, we were on our way to Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach! Having heard a lot about this place, we were super excited - the husband pretty kicked about clicking surfers in action, something he had missed during the Great Ocean Road drive.
I, on the other hand, was having a great time people-watching. Excited teenagers - surfboards in tow, an animated group of tourists speaking a strange sweet lilting tongue, a young girl who could make even a brinjal cringe with her purple hair and purple nails, purple sweater and leggings to match - the local bus that we had taken from Sydney to Bondi was fascinating enough to keep me engrossed through the 1 hour journey.
The landscape outside changed as well - busy city roads gave way to wide tree lined streets, pretty row houses with their colourful gardens and picket fences replaced the high-rises and high end city stores turned into quaint looking shops and cafes, as the bus made its way.
Alighting at the Bondi bus stop, we lost no time skipping down the steps straight to the beach. It was a wonderful sunshiny day, the sea was a brilliant blue and the beach, bustling with life.
"The Grin" firmly in place, I looked on cheerfully as the husband got busy with his camera. But suddenly, the look on the husband's face was like that of a kid who had walked into an exam hall only to find out that the subject of examination was totally different from what he had prepared for!
Turned out the situation at hand was no less critical, while the camera and all its lenses had made it to Bondi, the camera batteries were apparently still cooling their heels in the hotel room, charged and kept ready to be packed at the last moment!
The day lost much of its colour for the poor husband, after all a major source of his enjoyment on trips these days is the collection of photos at the end of it. We did hang around for a bit, walked along the "Coastal Walk" pathway for sometime, but with each step that took us farther away from the hotel, the poor man's face fell some more.
So we finally decided to abort Mission Bondi, and trained our sight on a beach that we had originally ruled out for lack of time - Manly.
Bondi (taken on a mobile camera):
Batteries retrieved, we set off for Darling Harbour - from where we'd have to take a series of ferry rides to Manly, a good hour away.
However, this slight mishap actually worked in our favour, right from the ferry ride to Manly itself - it was a charming expedition. The husband got his surfers in action, I had loads of interesting people to watch, and the beach - though not as "happening" as Bondi - was extremely relaxing.
Manly Beach:
Surfer in action at Manly:
We came back happy people with a camera full of nice pictures, and a different view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the ferry was a definite bonus! In fact, I enjoyed the ferry ride so much that I even convinced the reluctant husband to let me put my $20 all day pass to maximum use, and repeat the same trip at least once more, the moment we reached Sydney.
Only, I hadn't looked at the clock, and it turned out that while we could surely take the ferry out to Manly, we wouldn't reach in time to catch the last one back. The husband was quietly sympathetic, but just as I was turning away, I thought I heard a sigh of relief.
Of course, he wouldn't agree! :)
The next day, it was time to visit the Sydney Aquarium. We had high expectations from this place, and it certainly didn't disappoint. Right from cute little clownfish to the extra large manta rays, fierce looking sharks to the very benign Dugong, the aquarium was a fascinating place.
Moon jellyfish, Sydney Aquarium:
The Dugong:
The high point, however, was the "Reef Section" - considering that the Great Barrier Reef was pretty much THE REASON for my Aussie trip, the coral gardens with its myriad marine life on display here was almost like a 3D trailer ahead of the magnum opus. I was ecstatic, and I couldn't wait another day to actually face The Real Thing!!!
Up next: "The Real Thing - Great Barrier Reef"
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