Adriana and Gerson - it's been about 20 years
Gerson and me across the bay from the iconic Sydney Opera HouseDIARY/PHOTO JOURNAL - Page 20
Week 25 - September 03, 2018 - September 09, 2018
Sydney! A week that started with Gerson reacquainting with an old friend and ended with an appreciation of a fantastic city and a fantastic friend.
We arrived in Sydney and immediately went to a diesel mechanic so Cinderoo could have a bit of a spa treatment and repair a small malady we have lived with for several months. With Cindoo spending the week in a cozy shop, we stayed with a friend of Gerson's that he has know for some 30 years. Adriana and her adorable six-year old daughter, Lara, welcomed us into their lovely home and we had a week filled with touring, laughing, eating, relaxing - just what we needed at this time of our journey.
Adriana and Gerson - it's been about 20 years
Gerson and me across the bay from the iconic Sydney Opera House
Our first day out and about with
Adriana that of course, included a stop to view the famed Sydney Opera House and
Harbour Bridge. We viewed these magnificent structures from across the bay
and up close and personal. A drive around the city made me appreciate how
beautiful Sydney is and its balance of the old and new architecture enhances its
ambiance.
Views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge
The Opera House and Harbour Bridge are everywhere
Taking in the Opera House
The tile pattern on the Opera House
And that bridge...
Fort Denison
Small sampling of the older architecture
While viewing the Opera House from
across the bay, I was approached by a French woman and asked about the bay ferry
schedule. Adriana was able to get her squared away; however, Gerson could
not resist having a bit of fun with the husband. As France won the 2018
World Cup, he congratulated the man in French and the man responded with
whipping out his country's flag and waving it. We spent a few moments
talking and emails were exchanged and friends were made. It is moments
like this that reminds us why we love to travel.
Gerson and Phillipe - Vive La France
We spent the day wandering around and enjoyed a lovely lunch at Balmoral beach. Then, we were off to see some other beautiful local beaches and a spectacular sunset. All the while, Gerson and Adriana were catching up and laughing at some old stories.
Balmoral Beach and our lunch view
Enjoying the day and the bay
Dee Why Beach
Curl Curl Beach and a remarkable sunset - many of the beaches have public
saltwater pools
The day was over and it gave us the opportunity to view Sydney's icons in a different light, literally.
Stunning at night
Gerson carrying one sleepy little girl
Having seen a bit of Sydney and its surrounds via bitumen, we opted to see a bit
more via the ferry that runs between Circular Quay and Manly Beach.
Although the weather was a bit uncooperative, the ferry ride was an exceptional
way to see many neighborhoods that make up 'Sydney'. Our stop at Manly
Beach for lunch was pleasant and we were able to wander around before hopping on
the return ferry.
Our water ride
Prime Minster's Sydney house
Hard to get away from the Opera House
And the Harbour Bridge
Adriana and I enjoying the ride
The weather produced some photo opportunities
Gerson having fun
Manly Beach
Adriana and Gerson walking through Manly Beach and one of the oldest pubs
Sydney shipyard
Ferry port in Circular Quay
We saw this incredible rainbow on our way home
This little beach's public access was through the arch where Adriana is standing
- very cool
No trip to Sydney would be complete
without a stop at the world famous Bondi Beach. This cozy bay is known for
its surfing and we were reminded of this with the many surfers enjoying the
waves. Bondi Beach definitely has a special feel about it and that was
enhanced by the mural-walls that run along the beach.
Bondi Beach
Bondi's surfers
Loved the murals
Bondi Beach
A portion of this week we did
absolutely nothing and it was wonderful. We so loved our time with Adriana
and Lara and many hours were spent cooking and talking and just enjoying each
other's company. Somewhere in here, we decided to travel to Tasmania from
Sydney (instead of our prior plan of leaving from Melbourne) and as Adriana's
warehouse (she owns a cup distribution business) was available to host Cinderoo,
we made ready for our trip to Tassie. We picked up Cinderoo from the
mechanic and she purred on the drive to the warehouse where we tucked her in for
the next two weeks.
Cinderoo tucked in for a couple of weeks
And, as Gerson and Adriana are
Brazilian, we could not leave without a bit of a BBQ...
Gerson and Adriana - like old times!
A great week was had and Sydney really is a fantastic city. We flew to Tassie on the Sunday and we will be seeing Adriana on our return. I wish I had taken more photos of Lara as Gerson was her play-partner in crime, but alas, we were all just enjoying the moments and not stopping to take photos.
Next week will be an extended journal for its Tassie
Time!