December 31st Manly-Ocean World

December 31st

Manly

Today we got up (early of course).  We did a walk along Manly beach and it was fun and scenic but very busy.  Once we got home we ate breakfast.  The kids had pikelets (aka Australian small pancakes that you buy in the bread isle).

The start of the Manly Beach walk.

Surf and wave sculpture.

Gabe hunting wildlife.

The kids explore some rocks near the water.

There are metal sculptures with nautical themes all along the walk.

Next it was off to the beach again.  The boys stayed out in the waves for three and a half hours straight.  They were very rough today and it was fun, but we were all hungry and ready for lunch after a shower.

Ursula is in the blue one piece and Gabe is right in front of her, Brody is the head sticking up to the far right.

Gabe builds a castle.

After lunch the kids did some OZbobbles.  They are known as the bubbles that let you walk on water.  They enjoyed it, but the kids got very hot in the OZbobbles so we sat in the shade and had a cool drink before heading to Ocean World.  It was fairly empty so we had a nice afternoon and had lots of personal attention from the staff.  The kids enjoyed the petting cove and seeing the fish and crocodile get fed.

Tara in the OZbobble.

Hamster Gabe.

Brody manages to stand up.

Ocean World.

Tara points out a lionfish.

The kids are up front watching the fish get fed.

Tara and Ariel.

The croc jumps for dinner.

Gabe at the petting cove.

Seabiscuit.

The egg laying shark!

Equalette shark egg sack.

Brody and Tara walk under sharks-lots of big ones!

We then headed home and had our own mini New Years Eve party before trying to turn in early, but it was very noisy.

December 30th. Sydney to Manly

December 30th.

Manly

Today we woke up and packed everything up to move on again.  We ate breakfast at the hotel and the kids attacked the juicer machine again.  While they finished eating, Dad tried to mail some the things at the post office and stood there for a twenty minutes as the time it was supposed to open came and went.  Finally, I found out they today is a holiday?  What?  Apparently, some people get off several weeks for New Years!  OZ is crazy about New Years.

We took a shuttle to Manly which took about an hour.  Manly is like Okoboji on steroids.  It has miles of beautiful beach that is also good for surfing.  We were looking of lunch at 11:30 and everywhere was serving breakfast!  We went and got PB & J and ate at the beach (which was psychotically crowded).  We checked in to the Manly Lodge and shopped for groceries before heading to the beach.  It was so funny to see almost everyone wearing swimsuits or wet suits for surfing everywhere.  Even in the stores a lot of people had no shirts on, and/or no shoes.  It was beautiful sand and the waves were fun despite the crowds.  We went out to eat and finally found a place that had room for us.  It was an awesome restaurant except for the fact that Ursula’s fish came with skin and head/tail on!  She was initially mortified but it turned out to be delicious so all ended well.  We walked around their festive downtown and saw a boy of about ten playing the bagpipes.  

Gabe riding over the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Leaving the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

Lots of beautiful harbors outside Sydney center.

Manly Lodge-our home for the next four nights.

Manly beach-just a few steps away.

Tara in the sand.

Dad and Tara head towards the waves.

Dad and Tara battle the waves.

Tara buried in the sand.

Now that's real fishy fish!

Downtown Manly-Christmas trees and palm trees (the beach is just at the end of the street).

December 29th Sydney

December 29th

Sydney

Today the kids got up a little before six despite going to bed late.  Since we are staying in one small room, once one of them was up, they were all up.

We ate breakfast at our hotel and it was awesome.  They had a juicer so we all got our fruit and veggie fix for the day.  When we were finished and lathered up with sunscreen, we hit the pavement.  We walked down to the Sydney Tower and the day was nice enough to go up and see out the observation deck.  Next we headed over to Hyde Park and walked all the way through it until we came to the ANZAC War Memorial and reflection pool.  The people working there were incredibly proactive and welcoming.  It seems to us that both OZ and NZ go out of their way to remember those who served with respect.

Walking in Sydney.

Fountain break.

Tara, Dad, and G-man.

Syndey Tower

4-D movie before we go to observation deck.

Hyde Park and St Mary's from Sky Tower.

Darling Harbor and the Aquarium.

Hyde Park relaxation.

St. Mary's, a view from Hyde Park.

Brody and Tara in front of the statue representing Earth, Wind, and Fire.  

What?  You don't see it?

ANZAC War Memorial and reflecting pool.

The Australian Museum was next.  Even though we spent several hours there, we only scratched the surface of this enormous museum.  We were able to learn about the native bugs and animals (living and extinct).  The last part of our time here was spent in the Indigenous Australians section (formerly known as Aboriginals-I guess that term is passé).  Everyone learned a lot.

Australian Museum entrance with someone looking out the window.

Gabe and Tara with Koala.

Blue ringed octopus

Croc

Cool interactive table of the deadly OZ creatures.

Giant wombat.

Demon Duck?

Tasmanian Tiger, the last Thylacine (now extinct)

Poor Tara

Giant, multilayered hall on Australian insects and creatures.

Indigenous Australian section. 

On the way back to our hotel we found the Rocks Cafe and everyone ordered something great.  As an extra, we ordered a kangaroo burger (the waitress assured us there are a lot in the outback).  Gabe and Tara were horrified and I am not sure they really even tried their part.  The rest of us thought it was a relatively mild flavor and a little dry, but overall good.

Kangaroo Burger-the bottom entry.

There it is, a Kangaroo burger!

A tour of the Sydney Opera house was next and everyone enjoyed the hour long tour.  It was fun to hear some of the background information about the Opera House.  They showed us some of the rejected designs and they were mostly square buildings with dated looks.  It was the American judge who arrived late to the selection process who pulled Jørn Utzon’s design out of the reject pile (his was one of 233 and was only little more than a very rough sketch)!  Thank goodness it got pulled out.  Can you imagine a square Sydney Opera House.  

The Sydney bridge reflecting in the overhanging glass (I am shooting straight up).

The largest concert hall (there are five theaters here).

Utzon's original art-he had synesthesia (saw colors when he heard music).  

It is the only art work in the opera house-he said you didn't need art if you bring the 

outside in.

Tara and her new hat!  She loves it!

Tara says, "I look cuckoo!"