Manly

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Trying to stay cool

Manly is a popular beach.

We headed into Sydney and Manly today.  We decided to take the train.    We got off the train at Circular Quay and hopped onto the ferry to Manly.   We made it there by lunch time.  Our friends from the states had recommended a place to eat, so we found the Manly Grill.  Adam and I both think it was the best meal we have had since we got here.  Across the street from the grill, was the main beach.  After eating, Sydney and Dagan ran over to check it out.  They were bummed that I hadn't packed their swimmers because it was hot enough to swim (86 degrees).   The beach was absolutely packed.  All of us decided we would rather be here when the weather is cooler.  Then less people would be on the beach. 

A fun place to clean off the sand.

Watch out!

The shark looks like it is going to get Adam.

We wandered around for a while.  Adam said that Manly reminds him of Lake Geneva.  I would agree.  Manly is just larger.  We went to the aquarium here.  It was pretty good, but much smaller than the one in Darling Harbor.  We had gotten a pass for 11 different tourist attractions in Australia, so we are going to as many as we can.

a squid

The ferry we took to Manly.

After we took the ferry back to the Circular Quay, we went to the Rocks again to finish up some Christmas shopping.  Then we headed for home.  By that time, we were really warm and were looking forward to sitting in the cool train car. 

Darling Harbor

Sunday, November 18, 2012

at the base of the tree

near the top of the tree

We went to visit the Whites this weekend.  We had a barbecue and spent the night on Saturday.  Sunday, we decided to go to Darling Harbor in Sydney.  We headed to the train station by their house and headed into the city.  Sydney and Dagan were excited to have some other kids along.  We got off at town hall and went upstairs to see the Christmas tree.  It was really big and pretty, but still strange to see when it is so warm outside.

Sydney looking at a ray.

platypus

dugong

Sydney liked the shark's teeth.

"Dory"

We then walked over to Darling Harbor.  The kids decided we should go to the aquarium.  We really liked it.  It had lots of fish and sea animals found in the water in and around Australia.  We especially liked the platypus, sharks, rays, great barrier reef fish, and the dugong (similar to a manatee).  These animals were in tanks that went over our heads.  It was fun walking through the tunnels with the animals swimming close to your head.

They are looking up at a ray.

Sydney, Dagan, Sarah, Lucy, Sophie, Georgia

We got a quick lunch and then headed to a park.  The parks here have these great spider web climbers that Sydney and Dagan really like.  Plus, there were areas where the kids could walk and splash in water.  What more could they want.

They are at the top of the spider web.

On Sundays, you can ride the public transportation for cheap, so we decided to take a ferry to a different train station.  The ferry stopped by Luna Park which has old carnival rides.  We will have to go back to let the kids try them out.  We got home late, but it was a great two days.

Stardust Circus

Friday, November 16, 2012


We took the kids to the circus today.  They had never been to one before, and we saw the tent in the park the week before and thought it would be fun.  Both Adam and I were pleasantly surprised on how good it was.  We sat in the second row.  The big top tent had one ring, so we could easily see everything.  They had lions, goats, pigs, dogs, monkeys and ponies that did tricks.  There were acrobatics on the ground and in the air.  Both kids liked watching the kids their own age doing the tricks and the clowns.  Dagan played a game during intermission, and Sydney got some Fairy Floss (cotton candy).  I think going in a tent made the experience even more fun. 

Viva La Gong

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Sydney doing origami.

Painting their lanterns

 We went to Viva La Gong today.  It was a festival held at a park in town walking distance from our apartment.  It was fun.  They had crafts for the kids, food, music, and a variety of different performers.  We started in the craft areas.  Sydney and Dagan had their names written in Chinese.  Then Sydney learned to make an origami lotus flower.  Both painted Chinese lanterns and tried to win the big prize at a game station. 

On the far end of the park, they learned how to make a felt ball.  They had to get the felt wet in soapy water and work it into a ball.  Then they bounced it on a board to get it to harden a little. 

The wishing tree

There was also a tent that had a variety of circus toys to try out.  The kids had fun with these.  The kids would like to get some of the toys.  Sydney has been practicing with them because her sport this term is circus activities.  Can you imagine having that as a gym class in Wisconsin?

View of the festival from one end of the park

We tried the mini pancakes, corn on the cob, and lemon sugar cane juice.  The juice was super sweet and not our favorite.  We listened to a few bands and watched some dancers before we decided to head home.