Southerners in Singapore: January 2015

When we scheduled our trip to Sydney, we had not realized that the weekend we were going to be there was also part of the national Australia Day holiday weekend - January 26th was Australia Day. As a result, we definitely saw a lot more visitors everywhere we went but we also had the chance to see some cool competitions and exhibits including all the Australia Day activities in the Sydney Harbour.

We hiked along the ocean from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Sydney has done a great job of encouraging people to get outside and explore. They have walking paths all alone the shoreline letting you get from one small town to another very easily. We walked about 6 kilometers from one end of this walk to the other, stopping frequently to check out small beaches for swimming or eating lunch along one part of the beach. By the time we reached the end we were tired and hungry and caught a bus back from Coogee to the ferry terminal and then back over to Manly.

What is interesting is that since we've moved to Singapore, we've had a significant greater appreciation for public transportation. During our trip to Sydney we used buses, taxis, trains and ferries. We never even considered renting a car which is something we never would have skipped before moving here. We've just learned that public transportation is often so much easier then trying to find your way through a foreign city and it really lets you see different parts of the city. And it saves money!

So this is one of many rock pools that are built into the side of the cliffs at the edge of the water. The waves come in and crash into the side of the pool, filling the pool and knocking everyone standing on the edge into the water - great source of entertainment for all three Virkler boys!

King of the mountain!

Amazing graveyard right on the edge of the cliffs by the sea

Taking a rest

Cool way that boats are stored on this little beach

Finally reached Coogee Beach!

We returned to our apartment to find that the local birds had decided to hang out on our balcony. These were wild birds that visited us several times during our stay (another reason I was worried about having no screens on our doors or windows!).

A view out to our balcony (could have been a nice balcony if there was ANY furniture on it!)

Two of them appeared this time!

And then they brought friends with them!

Amazing colors

Just chilling!

We rented bikes one day and biked from Manly beach to Freshwater beach and explored the coast there. There were lots of crowds and a major Ocean Life Saving competition which was interesting to watch. And we found another rocky coast to climb on and explore!

Jumping off the rocks

Showing off!

Fun pictures of the family out at various restaurants (looking clean and pretty!).

Mommy and Daddy ready to go out

Eating by the marina

This place we had breakfast was an old speak-easy type bar. Water was served out of old Henricks Gin bottles - definitely made Drayton and me laugh as we poured our kids water!

Eating in Sydney on the water

Taking in the Manly Sea Rescue aquarium where rescued animals are rehabilitated.

Arghhhh

Our last day was National Day in Australia (their version of 4th of July) - we woke up to rain and only 70 degrees outside so a major shift in weather! After playing possum for a while in bed, we headed out on the ferry to see all the activities. It was amazing to see this enormous naval ship dwarfing the Sydney Bridge! We listened to the 21 gun salute as the Australian national anthem was played and then we saw the most amazing thing - a sailboat and tug boat ballet complete with dancing tug boats and helicopters and colored smoke coming off of sailboats, all choreographed to music that was played through the harbour. Very, very cool thing to see.

Sleeping in on a rainy morning (sort of)

There were three huge cruise ships anchored in the harbour flying Australia flags

The bridge with the naval ship anchored in front of it

The start of the sailboat ballet

They were really synchronized with each other and the music. We couldn't get the pics of the two huge tugboats that were spinning around bow to bow as if they were dancing.

Check out the size of this ship!

These two helicopters started spinning around each other as if they were dancing too

The a bunch of tall ships came through in a parade

After spending the morning outside in the cool rain, we decided to warm up by going to the wax museum and the aquarium. Lots of funny pics from the wax museum!