Tourist Trekking Sydney Sights

The ferry wharves beckoned. A Manly ferry had just berthed as we bought our tickets. People streamed through the turnstiles and across the ramp ways. Times had changed. From my childhood I remembered the old gangways being hauled by deckhands and tied off with ropes. Today so much was automated. The ferry seemed more spacious and dare I say, even comfortable. Inside, the old hard benches had been replaced with individual upholstered seating spaces. Past the heads the swell was interesting but not a concern. Manly shopping Corso was almost unrecognisable from the days of my childhood yet still it greeted throngs of tourists just like us. Many had journeyed to take a plunge in the waters of the ever so famous, Manly Beach. Waves and sand appealing as they were we pondered a visit to the Opera House. Once back on the ferry I imagined the white, tiled sails of the Opera House shimmering under the glare of the mid day sun. Sails that awaited our return to the southern shores of the harbour. Shade was scant and the colonnade between the speciality shops offered some brief shelter as we walked the walk to the very point of the Opera House's forecourt. Galleries of photographs lined our walk. Umbrella proud cafes and restaurants filled to capacity with hungry diners spilled across the pavements. Aromas of fine cuisine and freshly ground coffee beans finally lead us to take a break from the busy tourist, schedule that we'd set for ourselves. Duck salad for me and soft shelled crab for Stephen. The world walked by and we watched. Some strolled, others hastened and still we watched until we could watch no more. Our table was in high demand. Diners had already been turned away. We made our table available; to allow others to sit and watch too.