Manly

Monday 12 November

The Sydney Opera House Big rain clouds above Manly Manly main shopping mall

Fell back asleep. Once again Andy woke me up to do him a favour. Exchanged some foreign currency for Australian money. Yes, anything to get him off my back. Needed some sleep. Slept 'till 9:30 AM. I'm exhausted from yesterday and even the day before. I don't know what it is, but it's taking it's toll right now. Said goodbye to Matthew, because he's changing rooms. He couldn't sleep, because of Andy. Twisting and turning the whole night. I can't blame him.

The morning was kind of cloudy with sometimes the sun breaking through. Quick shower to start the day. Once I was dressed and went outside, it was chilly for me for the first time. All those days I had spent in Sydney I was wearing a shirt and shorts. But now it's time to wear fleece. I went back to my room to get it.

First checking my e-mails and after that catching the bus to Circular Quay. Bought a ferry ticket to Manly. The weather forecast for today wasn't pretty. Rain was predicted. I won't be happy if I have to walk in the rain. On board the ferry I stayed on deck to watch the beauty of the harbour side. Talked with two Dutch girls about Australia along the way to Manly. On arrival we said goodbye and I walked to the information centre. I asked about the Manly Scenic Walkway. Got the brochure and went off to Manly Beach first.

Visited some stores before arriving at Manly Beach. Not much people on the beach, it wasn't nice beach weather too. Looking at the sky it wouldn't be a good day to walk. I don't want to be surprised by a heavy shower. So I decided to blow off the walk, maybe later in the week i'll give it another try. Walked back to the shopping mall to visit some more stores before heading back to Circular Quay. Back at the hostel I said goodbye to the Japanese guy and his wife, didn't get his name. Dropped off my stuff and off again into the city.

When I came back, I met Steve, talked with him a while before heading back to the stores to buy groceries. It was colder outside now, so I needed to changes clothes too. Walking in a fleece jacket and jeans, it's much nicer against this weather condition. I'm not going out this evening, so at Woolworths I bought Chicken Nuggets, juice, bottle of Cola, Pringles, bananas and fruit in a cup. Took the bus back to the hostel. Ate my stuff at the dining room on the first floor. While enjoying my so called dinner, I was writing my diary for today.

Took a look at the brochure about the day trips in Sydney. I really wanted to book the Blue Mountains day trip, but there are so many tour operators to choose from. They almost offer the same things, but the only difference is the price tag. At the service desk I checked the weather forecast for the coming week. Sunny weather for tomorrow, it may seem! Great! Back in my room I met my other room mates; we talked about our day and what we have done today. I gave Andy his exchange money back. Today he did a guided tour around Sydney. The tour wasn't that brilliant, he said. The weather was cloudy almost the whole day, otherwise he would have had a great day. Time to go to bed, because the Manly Scenic Walkway looks more challenging than the quite easy walk from Bondi to Coogee Beach. I will see that tomorrow.