We arrived in Sydney mid-day and took a 30 minute cab ride to the Park Hyatt Sydney. At the front desk we received the wonderful news that we had been upgraded to an Opera Deluxe room, which meant same room but with a view of the Sydney Opera House. This property has only four suites so they don’t participate in the normal Hyatt upgrade program. But the normal rooms are 75 square meters (about 800 square feet) and are gorgeous all on their own. So to now be in a room with a view of the Opera House was thrilling. Downside was the room wasn’t ready for us.
No problem! We dropped our bags and walked over to Circular Quay where we picked up the ferry to Manly. Even if you’re not familiar with the topography of Sydney you’ll know that it’s famous for it’s big harbor. But central Sydney is inland about 10km so there are ferries that can take you out to the beach communities to the east, and this is where Manly lies.
Once there it’s like you’ve been transported to a California beach town. Except where have you seen a beach with pine trees?
It was warm enough for people to be out paddling around or swimming and we spent a few minutes taking it all in before we headed off to one of our favorite activities, lunch. Here is the view from our table.
Then we walked the “Corso” which is a shopping area at Manly.
Then finally a quick 30 minute ferry right back to central Sydney.
Oh wait. Why is it named “Manly”? The beach was named by Capt. Arthur Phillip for the indigenous people living there. Philip wrote that their “confidence and manly behaviour made me give the name of Manly Cove to this place”.
