Manly Beach

This Saturday I chose to venture over to Manly Beach, a popular tourist attraction I was eager to visit. 

A suburb of Sydney, I took a ferry in which allowed me the luxury of another beautiful trip.

Manly was discovered in 1778, is the birthplace of surfing, and one of the world's five surfing reserves. Fittingly, travelers from all over the world visit to hit the waves. Fun fact - Manly received its name after the governor saw indigenous tribesman on the island and viewed them as being strong and manly. 

I had been informed prior to visiting that people who move to Manly tend to never leave. Upon stepping off the ferry, I could instantly see why: it has everything you need! Hundreds of restaurants, clothing shops, grocery stores and surf shops lined the road, and the air just had an indescribable smell of peace, mellowness and tranquility. The city instantly transitions a person into a vacation-esque bliss.

Easily spotting a trail, I joined the many hikers and joggers and began to mosy down the path, trying to remember to stay on the left side of the path - this task increasingly as a struggle as my mind began to wander. As my appearance doesn't allow a stranger to easily identify me as a foreigner, if I obstruct traffic I look less like a tourist and more like a selfish young person, so I have to watch myself. 

The end of the trail landed me at Shelley Beach, which is one of the only west-facing beaches on the east coast. I'll have to stay long enough to watch the sunset one of these days. Shelley was beautiful, but due to its boutique size I didn't stay long - there's not much to do if you're not swimming or eating. 

After Shelley Beach I strolled back over through Manly, and soon found myself walking along the Manly Lagoon. To my surprise, I liked this area better than the beach, because I discovered it serves as a dog beach! Tens of dogs swarmed the area, happily swimming and splashing in the waves. I watched for a bit, wishing my own puppy was here, but viewing a sign warning visitors about water pollution reminded me of the potentially dangerous Australian water conditions, and I decided I was glad he's home safe in California. Circling the edge of the lagoon, I had covered enough land to suffice as a day's exercise, and headed home. 

Another beautiful day in paradise.