"We spotted the ocean at the head of the trail"

Today was one of those days where you make your own fun. You know, no real plans, but you're in a strange city with google, and you can find things that sound amusing. Full disclosure, still waking up at 3 am, going to bed around 7 pm these days.

Anyhow, I didn't figure out the internet in my airbnb yet (I would eventually!), so struck off for Starbucks for internet. It's great to know that wherever you go, you get pretty decent internet and homogenous beverages at most hours. They have coconut bread here!

After some research, I decided to take the ferry to Watson's Bay and get a fish fry at Doyle's. Seemed highly recommended! Plus ferry is cheap automatic fun, right?

I took an Uber down to the opera house and ran this plan by my chatty Aussie driver. Must be the right thing because he immediately chimed in "awww I wish I could go with ya! [aussie accent]". Exactly the validation I needed! He dropped me off down by the opera house, so I could get a scenic look before hopping on the ferry.

Not bad for a bridge and a house, eh?

What they don't tell you by the ferries here is you really need to buy an Opel card, the equivalent of a SmartTrip or Octopus card or whatever your particular city uses. This meant I cost myself 20 minutes and 20 dollars as I eventually found out I had to do that.

Anyhow, the ferry to Watson's Bay has some beautiful views.

We stopped at Rose Bay (boring.), then finally got to Watson's Bay. Much to my surprise there were 2 "Doyle's", one was a restaurant and the other was a carry out shack. Usually, I'd go with the shack, but somehow this shack was beerless and I actually took today off, and I could go for a cold beer with my fish fry tyvm.

Beers, buds, battlestar galactica. I don't watch the show this quote is from.

As fish fry's go, it was overpriced. So overpriced it doesn't get a spot in this blog. But hey, I'm only in Sydney once, right? I do want to highlight this strange thing in the menu though...

Someone's gonna have to educate me on the so-called "jewfish". Didn't realize that was part of my heritage.

Since the modicum of research only prepared me for lunch right by the pier, I decided to take a stroll [cue Chuck Berry "No Particular Place to Go"]. There was a trail that led to both a lighthouse and a nude beach, and I can't think of a better way to digest a meal than the prospect of seeing... a lighthouse.

Decidedly "non-nude" beach (Camp Cove)

What they don't tell you about the nude beach here (Lady Jane Beach) is

1)they close depending on the season and construction

2) they're still filled with old rotund guys anyway and

3) they're artfully screened by shrubbery.

For once, I agree with the knights here. Coverage was needed for the plump older fellas wearing naught but whatever the Australians call those hats the guy from Jurassic Park wore. You know, the "clever girl" raptor hunter guy. I don't have to make sense today, my sleep schedule is suboptimal.

The trail went right by a military base, which makes sense because it probably was at some point a strategic foothold for Aussies, and there's some history about this being the first bay Capt. Cook landed at here. But what I liked about it was you got to walk by old-school cannons just sitting around.

"Cannons to the left of them" Tennyson/De La Ghetto

Anyhow, after about a kilometer, made it to the lighthouse! Gorgeous view! Tons of wind.

I always feel like this picture should come with salt water taffy and a dog chasing a kite.

Did my loop around, and returned to take the ferry back. I was lucky to get on too, because the giant tour group of Frenchies who took over my lunch restaurant were trying to get back on the same ferry as well.

I'd love to say I got back and went out for drinks with my friend who also happened to be in Sydney, but hey, she blew me off and I fell asleep. Sunrise, sunset.

Random Things:

-Brush fires are no joke. City was filled with smoke this morning though the fires are dozens of miles away.

This is a way better name for this than its american equivalent.

If I had to guess, this school was run by... not the best teachers. Although possibly the best in the area.

You know what, I'm a sucker for pictures of flags and important looking buildings. No real idea what this was, although it being by the "Museum" subway stop should have given me some hint.

Moment of Zen:

I'll give 2 since I skimped yesterday.