SYDNEY 2016 # 6. BACK TO MELBOURNE.

11/3/2016

Friday

We were flying back to Melbourne in the afternoon.  On the way to the Sydney Aquarium, we passed this Opal Museum.  Since its free entry, we went up for a look-see.    

Dinosaurs Age..  

The museum was well layout with many exhibits and of course a large retail section as well.

can also get opals from trees!

anyone interested?

shell fossils 

photos from Sydney Aquarium taken by my niece

The foyer of the State Theatre, Sydney which was designed by renowned American architect John Eberson for his theatre designs.  He also designed the State Theatre in Melbourne (now known as the Forum). 

@ Westfields

Jeremy had wanted to meet us for lunch at this place.  It was lunchtime and there was a long queue...

However after a very long wait and our tummies were growling. By the time the lunch crowds have cleared, there were still no sign of them as they were delayed in traffic (with a baby in tow excusable). So we went  ahead with our lunch. 

yummylicious..... (or were we so hungry)

waiting for Jeremy to drop by to say goodbye

Finally they reached us before we left for the airport..

Alexa looking grumpy because of the long ride and traffic jam...

My sister May found the shop in the airport and

bought me my  favourite beef pie to overcome my saddness....till we meet again Alexa, Jeremy and Eunice..take care

Will be on leave tomorrow for 2 weeks folks.  Take care. 

SYDNEY 2016 # 5- Part 2 MANLY ISLAND

10/3/2016
THURSDAY

After walking around the Darling Harbour and the Opera House, we decided to follow Jeremy's advice and go to Manly Beach by ferry from Circular Quay which took around 30 minutes.

Enjoying the sea breeze and time to cat nap for a while....it was getting warmer.

Clear waters..

The beach was discovered by a Captain Philip in 1788 and he named it after the "manly" behaviour of the aborigines who greeted him..  

this beach is make for walking.....and surfing...

Manly Tourist Information Centre ... for a cool relief from the hot sun..

Walking along the beach promenade to find our lunch 

FishMonger's  - recommended by Jeremy  

Inside the shop where we placed our orders.. 

Dining under the sun.....missing my sister's face...sorry, my hopeless photography!

our appetisers - fresh oysters 

Mixed Seafood platter with grilled prawns, fish (fried and grilled), calamaries and sweet potato chips.

 

Surfer's paradise....

"seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care" .... its blue sky,  long white sandy beaches, beautiful tanned bodies, sun and laughter. 

They are allowed to swim between the 2 flags...should you venture out to the rocky part, there is really a life guard to check!

along this sculptured walk is an aquatic reserve to protect marine life

the shy one hiding ....

can you spot another one here..

rocky shores in these parts..

some sort of aquatic plants 

It was truly a blistering hot day..

Fooling around ..

It was a very long walk to the end towards Shelly Beach. 

While May, Vicky  and my niece decided to walk more, the rest of us detoured back towards Manly wharf.

They told us later that they reached the Bower Pool and the water in this salt water pool is  so clear and cold...

rushing for the ferry back to Sydney

I know what you are thinking..... the Lindt cafe siege?  but they (the cashier) told us this is not that cafe 

getting ready for Easter.... you can fill up your choice of small or large box with the assortment of chocolates for only A$16.90.. as many as you can fill!  But right now its teatime.. or shall I say chocolate time......

Love this tremendous.... coffee and chocolate and more chocolate ball...

Walking back to the apartment after resting...

Hello, we meet again.... 

The Youngsters... representing children dressed in hoodies and baggy jeans..

The Dymocks Building

the marriage of the old  and the new.... . 

Notice how they manage to retain the old facade and extend the new building behind..

KFC Restaurant also located in such a nice building and no we did not take our dinner here.

Instead we went to the Emperor's Food Court in Chinatown for the popular tonkatsu  ramen