Depart Sydney, NSW

Day thirty-one. Departing on Tuesday at 7:45 AM.

Before the sunrise Duc's sister, Thuy, kindly dropped me off at the international airport. I was then directed towards the domestic airport. Security was a breeze during my layover in Melbourne, Victoria. Barely slept on the plane because I wanted to take advantage of the current movie releases. I calculated I could view a minimum of four movies during the thirteen plus hours on the flight to LAX. Movies crossed off my list include Zombieland, Fame, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Jennifer's Body, The Informant! and a snippet of Balibo. In addition, I had a nice chat with a retired teacher from Boston, Massachusetts. Coincidently, her daughter holds a MA in Media Arts from Emerson College. Indeed a small world.


Proper use of toilet.


Window seat on V Australia.


Good morning Los Angeles, California.

Thirty-one days in Australia and I barely explored the surface of this phenomenal continent. Say the word, Duc, and I will move with you in a heartbeat, or in Beverly's words, "a cocaine heartbeat". As I reflect after a week from my return to San Jose, California, a substantial fraction of myself remains restless to fulfill a need to travel and climb the rest of the world and eat well along the way.

This blog has allowed me to remain neutral (think Switzerland) about my encounters, my consumptions, and my adventures. We laughed, we disagreed, and we held our tongues. The trip brought me closer to a few friends, while it drew a fine line for others who will not be named. For the most part, I gained new friends and strengthened my relationship with old friends. I cannot ask for anything more, but to share this remarkable experience with you, the readers.

Travel well and travel safe. And do not resort to magazines as a supplement to toilet paper. Check the stocked toilets downstairs.

Cheers.

Manly Beach

Day thirty. More Than A Beach.

A thriving cosmopolitan village in a stunning coastal setting. Manly is one of Australia's first and foremost seaside destinations. Manly received its name from Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788 who was so impressed by the "confident and manly behavior" of the local Aborigines that he called the town 'Manly Cove'.


Departing Circular Quay to Manly Wharf.


On a ferry towards Port Jackson.


Buoy.


Home of Rip Curl, Billabong, and Quiksilver.


Biking away from Manly

Over the ocean and along the coast to a little place called Sylvia's Uppercrust Pie Shop in Collaroy. The tentative itinerary was set. Rent a bike from Manly Bike Tours and head north towards Sydney Road and continue on Pittwater Road for a savory lunch. Unfortunately, three local maps could not supplement my lack of sense of direction and the pie shop was nowhere to be found. Backtracked a few kilometers with an empty stomach toward Queenscliff and made the most of the afternoon riding along North Steyne Road.


Manly Lagoon next to Queenscliff Beach.


North Steyne Beach.


Parked the hybrid at North Head Lookout.


Beyond the Sydney Harbour National Park lies the downtown city.


One of many blue bottle jellyfishes on Manly Beach.


Activities include paddle surfing.


Kite surfing.


Spend countless hours with a metal detector.


Sunset on the ferry from Manly Wharf to Circular Quay.


An industrious sight.


Sydney Harbour.


No need for Leonardo during this Titanic moment.


Risotto with blue swimmer crab meat, raddiccho, chives, & aged parmigiano at The Rocks Cafe on George Street.


Last photograph of the Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Festival 2010

Day twenty-eight. Festival First Night.

January 9, 2010 marks an epic celebration of the festival and Sydney, the city of Australia. The celebration stretches to the streets of Martin Place to the spacious gardens in Hyde Park and the Qantas Domain Concert. The city landscape transforms into a remarkable summer playground.


Marble Bar, carefully dismantled, refurbished, and rebuilt inside the Hilton Sydney.


The Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park, Sydney.


Crates of fairy floss.


Belgium waffles with cream & strawberry preserves.


A family-friendly fun-filled afternoon in Hyde Park with Kasey Chambers, Poppa Bill, and the Little Hillbillies.


Information booth in Martin Place.


The Sydney Harbour Bridge from The Rocks.


Löwenbräu Keller. Ein Bier wie Bayern.


Brezel, an oven fresh Bavarian home baked pretzel.


The Rocks Centre Precinct.


The Rocks Market on George Streeet.


Dawes Point (Tar-ra) Park.


Underneath "The Coathanger", the bridge local nickname.


Undomesticated rabbits at Pylon Lookout.


A number of wedding photo shoots along Campbells Cove.


Replica of Sydney, New South Wales.


Constructed in 1845, the Customs House was the primary trade gateway for goods and people flowing into Sydney and Australia.


The Palm Grove is a pyramid glasshouse built in 1970.


Fruit bats along the Sydney Tropical Centre.


The Australian rainforest in the Royal Botanic Gardens.


The Domain.


Chicken borek with spinach & feta cheese.


The Indigenous supergroup The Black Arm Band.


The show Hidden Republic features a line-up of 25 songwriters and musicians including Ruby Hunter, accompanied by a full orchestra.


"Love and Happiness" performed by the legendary Al Green.


Sold out event.


Legendary soul and gospel singer Al Green takes the stage in his first ever Australian performance.

Blue Mountains National Park

Day twenty-three. Katoomba.

Sixty kilometers west of Sydney, Blue Mountains National Park conserves an area rich in history, wildlife, and world-famous scenery. The name derives from the ever-present blue haze that is caused by light striking the droplets of eucalyptus oil that evaporates from the leaves of the dense surrounding forest. The area offers breathtaking views, rugged tablelands, sheer cliffs, and stupendous walking trails. Katoomba is the biggest town in the Mountains and the main commercial centre.

Day one. Arrival in Katoomba.

Cockatoo feasting upon arrival off the train.

A place to call home for the next two nights.

Dorm room number one. Sleeps four.

Organizing the itinerary for the week.

Day two. Abseiling & Canyoning New South Wales Adventure.

Australian School of Mountaineering.

The guide, Rachel, demonstrating abseiling at 15m.

Abseiling: It's easy, unbelievably good fun, and almost anyone can try it.

Lunch break for gourmet sandwiches.

The Explorer Wishing Chair.

The Western End.

The first crossing of the Blue Mountains in May 1813.

Lollies on the way to second site.

Heather informs us the importance of something.

Canyoning complete with helmet, harness, wetsuit & dry bag.

Nearly all first-timers for canyoning.

Guides, Heather & Nat, set up abseiling over a waterfall.

Last to take the plunge.

Wentworth Falls: 30m of wet sandstone.

Subterranian swim through the pool.

Ideal for beginners to experience the amazing landscape.

Best vantage point.

Valley of the Waters Track to Empress Lookout.

Traditional minced pie from Hominy Bakery on 185 Katoomba Street.

Day three. Day of departure.

Drink of choice. No coffee or tea.

Banana and coconut bread at The Hatters Cafe on 197 Katoomba Street.

Wednesday is rubbish day in Katoomba.

Buy a brochure, map, or book of the Mountains from the shop.

Next best alternative: Use common sense and follow the posted signs.

The back of the Three Sisters.

Echo Point, the southernmost tip of Katoomba.

Climbing prohibited due to preservation.

The taxing 860-step Giant Stairway Walk (2.5 hrs).

Connect up with the Federal Pass Trail.

Snake my way through the Jamison Valley.

Documenting a beetle.

The base of Katoomba Falls.

Surreal brillance of the plant diversity.

Prime and majestic resource.

Re-discover the golden era of the coal mines.

The rainforest and its inhabitants in safety & comfort.

It takes a village to further embarassment.

Beautiful, free-standing pillar known as Orphan Rock.

Hike the seemingly endless Furber Steps.

Ascend through sandstone and clay rock formations.

Mist and mystery shrouds the towering Three Sisters.

The Scenic Skyway, a cable gondola suspended over the Katoomba Falls Gorge.

One way out of the valley.

More aware of raindrops falling on leaves.

Confounded by my sense of distance.

Underfalls Walk. 10 mins - return same way.

Eerie gliding through a white curtain.

End of the visit to Scenic World, Katoomba.

Soup of the day: Tomato bisque at Paragon Cafe on 65 Katoomba Street.