Sydney

Well those British convicts did a good job. Sydney is amazing and much more beautiful than I had imagined. The bay is a natural harbour with 66 bays within the macro bay itself ... most of these bays are pretty much built on but there is still plenty of green stuff to be enjoyed. We have taken several ferries to Manly where the hostel is (not at all hostile) ...on the contrary the young people seem happy to converse with us over breakfast (included in the price, as well as yoga classes) and a great choice of food for the healthy minded or un'. We do some yoga near the beach on Wednesday morning ... what a spot and way to start the day!
The hour and a half harbour tour ferry is informative and gives one an idea of the breadth of the city and its many bays. Pics.

We also do a walking tour around the CBD (central business district) and the rocks area which was inhabited by the original convict community ... little is left of the original buildings but here are some pics.

A visit to the Opera house to experience the wonderful acoustics (Madam Butterfly) ... not my 'cup of tea' but it was splendidly done with a first-rate orchestra and performances. So many pics of the extraordinary building ... here are a few, inside and out, from different aspects.

We have a good walk to Spit point (10k) along the west side of Manly bay having a swim along the way.

A quick visit to Bondi beach as it is also an iconic part of the city ... not a lot of surf or surfing` today but it is hot, hot, hot ... 36 °C ...quick dip in the ocean.

and then return via bus to the Circular Quay and back to Manly (a 20 minute trip passing the mouth of the bay)... such a lovely district with bars and restaurants, beaches both on the ocean side and within the bay. Buying some food from a Coles supermarket we return to the hostel before heading to Shelly beach a twenty minute walk ... on the ocean side but sheltered from the surf by an arm jutting seaward, making for a calm snorkelling beach in which we indulge ourselves. Water a nice temperature and a few whiteish/transparent fish visible.

There is so much to do and see here that we are aware we have not even scratched the surface. We have booked a YHA hostel in Katoomba, for a few days in the Blue Mountains to the west of Sydney where we plan to walk.
Random pic of an Ibis that can be seen in and around Sydney ... in the Botanical gardens and in the city scavenging for scraps of food. Beautiful nevertheless.