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| Summer
in Sydney
We have so many places in the world that we call home, but Sydney will always be one of our favorites. After living abroad for a few years, Brad is a tourist in his own town again, and since his parents are also no longer Sydneysiders, it was time for a reunion. Thanks to Mum and Dad, we spent two glorious weeks with the family at an apartment right on Sydney's famous Manly Beach. Manly, as usual, was thriving in the holiday season. Thirty seconds' walk from our apartment, the bars, shops and restaurants were bustling, and the beach was thriving. Friends and family all came to visit for beers and cheers nearly every day. We barbequed on the front patio, played in the pool, sunned on the sand and swam in the cool, clean ocean. Brad put aside his beloved bodyboard for a try on the longboards and he and the gang had a great time surfing. Old friends served up a huge lunch for Christmas, and New Year's lunch was spent at Deck 23's open restaurant, overlooking Dee Why Beach. For New Year's Eve, we sat on rocks at the water's edge with a bottle of champagne and a perfect view of Sydney Harbour's four simultaneous fireworks shows. Then, at the Opera Bar the next night, we drank outside listening to great music while watching the Sydney Harbour Bridge light show. Our friends came out from Arizona to join the festivities, which gave us a reason to act as tour guide and enjoy some sightseeing. On the four hour Spit to Manly walk, we found lizards, birds and exotic flowers in the bush, and sweeping views from the many parks, beaches, bays, and headlands. At Darling Harbour, we rekindled our romance with Japanese food at Wagamamas, and with James Squire beer at the new James Squire Brewhouse. Of course, we also visited our old favorite haunts, dining on five dollar steaks at The Mosman Hotel, and cooking our own in the beer garden at The Oaks. Two hours by train from Sydney in the Blue Mountains, we rode the world's steepest railway and skyway, did some bush walking, and strolled Katoomba's quaint streets. Yes, it's been a busy and fun few weeks!
|
Spit
to Manly Walk
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Tsunami Appeal: It's inspiring to watch the world raise
money to aid the countries hit by the tsunami. Here in Sydney, the outpour
of volunteers, fundraising events and donations has been unreal. We attended
the Tsunami Appeal Concert and Telethon and were amazed
to see the donation total reach 20 million dollars! Visit: 
