Sydney travelogue (2): Living the dream

Continuing the story from where I had left in my previous post, Rahul and I cleared the Emigration procedure with hardly a hitch. We even got our baggages pretty fast. In fact by 8 am I was already settled in my hotel room. After freshening up we began our first walking-spree.

The two of us walked our way to Darling Harbour. The first sight that I caught of it was absolutely beautiful. In front I could see water glistening in the sun's rays. The Pyrmont Bridge was just a short distance away with the Light Metro Rail running over it. Ships, boats and jets were parked in plenty at the Pyrmont Bay. Spring had just set in and people were out enjoying the weather. Couples, young and old, could be seen sitting hand in hand. While some people were just lazing around or reading books in peace. Kids could be found playing in the nearby Tumbalong Park. Some mothers had brought infants in prams for a stroll. Toy trains that would pick up and drop passengers to the Sydney Aquarium became a common sight in the coming days. High rise buildings including the Sydney Tower formed the background of Darling Harbour.









I'll never forget my first breakfast in Sydney. I had hot pancakes floating in maple syrup topped with strawberries and whipped cream. Only when I was through with it that I regretted not taking a photo of it earlier on. In my hunger I had immediately dug in.

After this brief outing Rahul and I returned to our respective hotels. But the rest lasted for a short while. Soon an school friend of mine Ishan who has now been working in Sydney for two years came knocking to give us a real flavour of the city. We started walking straight down George Street, where my hotel was located. We went past Queen Victoria's Building, Sydney Tower, Strand, Martin's Place and even the Indian Embassy, all of which fall in one line.












It was a good 30 min or more later that we saw the first glimpse of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Only when we reached the Circular Quay, from where ferries can be taken for various destinations, that we could see the Sydney Harbour Bridge from up close and the famous Sydney Opera House as well.

We spent quite a while there just taking in everything. I don't remember how many times I said to the two guys: "I can't believe I am in Sydney. Its like a dream." I guess it was because of the way I felt comfortable there. Not for once I felt like an outsider, a foreigner in unknown territory. Sydney felt like home to me something which I had never anticipated happening.

Next on Ishan's suggestion we all took a ferry ride to go to Manly. We had a discussion over the christening of the name which I put an end to by saying that the name really is Womanly with the WO silent! The ferry ride itself was very enjoyable. thanks to the lovely breeze, the cool water droplets moistening us from time to time and the wonderful view. Seeing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with the sun just setting is a picture that's locked in my heart.

After getting down at the Manly wharf we walked (again !!) through a huge market place to reach the Manly beach. I obviously couldn't stop myself from dipping my feet in the water. But the boys unbelievably refused to follow suite!! They couldn't dampen my spirits though. I of course had my fill of walking around singing Sagar kinaare dil yeh pukaare... Then I decided to sit on the beach a bit to close but not too close to water like a heroine. But the water decided to wash off my act and came gushing right at me nicely drenching me in the process. :)

Hunger now getting to us, we then decided to have dinner at Manly itself. We gorged on a tasty tandoori chicken pizza and fought the cold weather with a hot cuppa. The ferry ride back was even better than the onward journey. The glittering lights coming from nearby buildings looked like taare zameen par. The Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House too glowed and when we arrived at Circular Quay I was highly disappointed. I got off the ferry hoping that in my short trip I'll get to do a repeat performance.

My first day in Sydney finally ended with a walk back to Darling Harbour, a Starbucks' chocolate frappe and a nice long sleep in my cozy bed.