Manly Beach

First things first: I scored a date! Woo! Alas, my dear readers, it is not with an Australian but rather the Belgian guy from the aforementioned trivia night. I guess he liked what he saw and asked my American colleague for my number. We're supposed to go out tomorrow night for some food so I will let you know all about it when I get back!

Today's trip was to Manly Beach. Apparently the name comes from when Captain Phillip of the Royal Navy discovered the place when trying to create a colony in New South Wales. There he noted in his dear diary the behavior of the local aborigines: "Their confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place." And thus, dear friends, is why Manly Beach is called Manly Beach. Don't say I never taught you anything.

To get to Manly Beach, I had to take two ferries which ended up taking about an hour and a half. The awesome thing about it, however, was that I was able to see the Sydney Opera House in all its glory. Here is the mandatory picture of it... I promise that I will get one with me in later on, but stop complaining and take what I give you and like it.

The beach itself was pretty touristy. I don't think I heard any actual Australian accents -- definitely a lot of pasty white British people though. I didn't really explore it very much since I was mostly trying to tan, but I think it definitely deserves a closer, second look. My Canadian friend said it was a good place to get some surfing lessons so I might do that, but knowing my fear of sharks I'm not so sure... The water was slightly cold but you easily got used to it (it was about 24C, or around 75F) and definitely much more surfable than Pensacola Beach. Enjoy this picture of me and the three Americans that I will never see again, since they leave tomorrow!

After the Americans left, my Canadian friend joined me... but just as she was arriving, the weather turned stormy so we ended up going back to Circular Quay (pronounced "Key") which is where the opera house is. She's been here for a month already so she took me to Lord Nelson Brewery, which is apparently one of the oldest pubs in the city of Sydney. It's also a microbrewery. I tried their pale ale... I don't know how much I liked it but I managed to drink the pint of it anyway. From there I took the ferry home and ate the dinner my host family left me. I have to say that they have been really great, and seem to treat me like family. It might be because I'm all by myself so they feel more protective of me, but either way I enjoy getting their insights and help.

Useful links:
The Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel: http://www.lordnelsonbrewery.com/index.html