Monday's are made for walking. I decided with my full access bus/train/ferry pass to explore the outer neighborhoods. This self guided walking tour was in one of the Sydney tour books. Off I go on the 324 Bus to Watson Bay. As you start to see the city that you are familiar with (sydney) dissappear in the horizon one stops to think what the heck am I doing. If this bus drops me in a distant neighborhood unfamiliar and with...what best can be described are vague notes of how to get to these sights referenced in the guide. I begin to think I wish I paid more attention in boy scouts to compass reading and tracking. Please...I get turned around every time i head out to the familiar sights and have to backtrack to get the the most familiar of loactions. Oh well if Dora the Explorer can do it well lets just say I'm up for the adventure. What do they day it the road traveled that is the learning experience not just the arrival at the destination. Boy am I in for the experience of a life time.
Well the bus ride is great if you know what you are looking for like the exit by the big Signal Station at Dunbar Head like the tour book states. Fortunatley I ask the bus driver. He graciously yells out "Your Stop" to my embarrassment as it is int the middle of nowhere. I mean at the endge of the road in what appears to be a residnetial neighborhood; albeit a very high end reisdnetial neighborhood across the street is this rather tall white lighthouse looking building. I guess this is the start of my walking tour. Tennis shoes, shorts, light jacket as it was cool to start the morning, quite comfortable compared to yesterdays scorching 107F/42C. I have an apple, water bottle, binoculars...yes i brought a pair as I thought there may be abulous sight that I may need to bring into view froma distance and my sight is failing well glasses are required for typing this blog and reading menus, and several energy bars.
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| My archeectural detail that told me I was at the start of my coastal walk. Who puts these things (Lighthouse/Signal Station) in the middle of the residnetial neighborhood?? The views these residnets have I would want to ensure no wayward vessle slammed into the coast to spoil my view either. |
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| Awe inspiring views of the coast. |
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| Distant view of the city from where the other half lives. AND THEY LIVE LARGE!!! |
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| This is me rather sun burned which I will reamain at least thru my stay in AU. ote the teeny tiny Sydney Harbor Bridge in the background. Seeing the city from way North of the city center. Me and Gnome seeing the sights. |
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| This is about an hour of my walk. The Asian tour bus is about 100meter to the right at the bottom of a hill. Only yours truly marched the coastal trail. It appears that the Asians have a deal with the bus tour operators that allow them to spend the majority of their time in an air conditioned coach only arriving at apecific photo op locations to get out walk the few feet to the awesome view (so as not to mess up hair & makeup) and then to have a whistle (literally) call them back to the bus where there all climb back aboard to travel in comfort to the next photo opportunity. Thinking of looking into that tourist scam for future reference. |
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| The archetectural bridge where I spent a bit of time conversing with a rather large lizard (bout the length of my arm) that was sunning himslef on the railing. The bridge is suspended over a shallow end of an inlet with signage stating please do not jump from bridge due to shallow water below. i read that sign verbiage to the lizard as we were at a bit of a standoff as the bridge is not wide enough or my courage great enough for the two of us to pass. The lizard was weary fom the sun and I was scared shitless thinking I was going to become lizard lunch. It was not untill later that the nice garbage man that I found doing his job in this upscale neighborhood quelched my fear of being eaten or lesser held hostage by the lizard. He confirmed they were harmless, not poisonous and actaully protected due to their being almost exstinct. Great and I had to throw my guide book at it to make it move along. Fortunately no lives (mine or the lizards) were taken. |
I managed to visit the Vaucluse Estate which was one of the Historical Home Trust venues that I had purchased a ticket ($15) for 12 properties. Unfortunately the property is closed on Sunday/Monday. The thing about the walking tour is well the walking. I have a better idea and tat is to get on an air conditioned bus with the Asians and jump off to stretch your legs only when you get to the photo op location. They all seemed so happy and relaxed. I have blisters and sunburn even with the 45 SPF. But they didn't get to talk to the local garbageman or meet the lizard that ate Watson Bay. Bet my stories are better than their when they get home.
Safe and Sound for another day of Traveling.
Where's the picture of the lizard?
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