Manly at 53

It was a festive 5-hour Christmas-day flight across Australia, east from Perth to Sydney. Our special vegan meals were served in Christmas boxes, and one of the flight attendants put up decorations.


I'm fortunate to be able to celebrate my 53rd birthday here in Manly. This is a great beach town, located on an isthmus between an ocean beach and a harbor beach. The place got its name when Governor Arthur Phillip, arriving in 1778, observed the strength and manliness of the aborigines. The best way to get here is by ferry from Sydney Circular Quay. For about $5.50 you get a 30-minute ride through beautiful Sydney Harbor. Since I booked about 9 months ago, we were able to get a hotel room with a view of Manly Beach. This is an active place with many surfers, snorkelers, joggers, bikers, joggers...


Aside from water sports, dining out, and drinking in Manly, there are also some great walks along the harbor side and the South Pacific Ocean side, and also at Sydney National Park, located here on the isthmus.





View of a ferry arriving in Sydney from Manly

Street performers near Sydney's Circular Quay area


I took this shot at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art.


A pigeon feeder near the Sydney ferry terminal


I took a photo of someone taking a photo of street performers, in Sydney's bustling Strand area.


I call this photo Sunset Jump, taken last evening at Manly Harbor.