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<\/a><\/p>\nThen, of course, the Opera House, which takes on a whole new look in the evening.\u00a0 It was excellent weather and the people were out in droves!<\/p>\n
Sydney is definitely one of the more gorgeous cities at night!<\/p>\n The next morning we took an Uber from the hotel to the Spit Bridge, and commenced the hike along the waterfront leading to Manly.<\/p>\n The hike leads under the Spit Bridge and along the shoreline.\u00a0 Here is the Spit Bridge (so named because it’s built on a sand spit) from the trail.<\/p>\n We saw this rather large lizard on the side of the trail.\u00a0 These guys became quite numerous, to the point Kim nearly stepped on one!\u00a0 My brief research indicates this is called a Jacky Dragon.<\/p>\n The trail meanders along the waterfront and provides excellent views!<\/p>\n This area is Clontarf Beach, and allows for dogs to be off leash.\u00a0 There were a lot of them frolicking out in the water since it was low tide.<\/p>\n Around every turn of the trail were more excellent views!\u00a0 There were expensive yachts moored all over the place, definitely a rich man’s playground.<\/p>\n We made it about a third of the way to Manly, and because it was so humid we decided to Uber the rest of the way.\u00a0 On a positive note, it seems you can catch an Uber from pretty much anywhere in the Sydney area!\u00a0 After a local brew at 4 Pines Brewery<\/a><\/strong> (highly recommended), we headed to Manly Beach.<\/p>\n It was nice to visit “Manly Beach” before the woke crowd renames in to “They\/Them Beach”.\u00a0 I don’t think it will be quite as nice once that happens.<\/p>\n Definitely pop off the shoes and walk in the surf…the temps were perfect.\u00a0 If only we had brought our suits!<\/p>\n From Manly you can take a ferry back to Sydney Harbor.\u00a0 Ferries leave every 15 minutes, so it’s extremely convenient.<\/p>\n The headlands here are where the open ocean reaches the Harbor.\u00a0 I sailed through this spot in 1987 when I was in the Navy, but I don’t recall it.<\/p>\n The ferry gives you yet another perspective on the Opera House.\u00a0 Seen enough of it yet?<\/p>\n That night we took a ferry from Circular Quay to Darling Harbor for a dinner reservation.\u00a0 This spot in central Sydney is home to 9 different ferry lines.\u00a0 Sydney Cove, where Circular Quay is located, was the site of the initial landing of the First Fleet, a group of 11 British vessels bringing settlers to Australia for the first time.\u00a0 In January 1788, the ships, with over 1400 convicts, military, colonial officials and free settlers landed here and established the first British settlement of New South Wales.\u00a0 History lesson over!<\/p>\n The best views of the city seem to be from the ferries, so take a few rides while you are here!<\/p>\n Outside Sydney’s Maritime Museum is a full-sized replica of HMS Endeavour, the ship Captain Cook commanded that reached Australia in April 1770.\u00a0 Cook was the first European to reach Australia.<\/p>\n On our way back from dinner the ferry views were even more dramatic!<\/p>\n The Sydney Harbor Bridge is beautiful from any angle.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n