I’m sitting on the water in Manly, a gorgeous suburb of Sydney, and smiling a really big smile. This view on Manley’s promenade is just so perfect. Imagine living here and being a fifteen minute ferry commute to downtown Sydney. Send it in…

This is my third time in Manly in the past five weeks (whodathunk?), and life is good. Really good. For some reason, Manly called out to me today after the drive from Darwin, so I obliged, and I’m really glad that I did. The vibe here is just awesome.

I finished the 2,400 mile drive from Darwin to Sydney this morning after visiting Blue Mountains National Park in Katoomba earlier in the day. Absolutely beautiful place. It was a long drive, mate and the countryside coming into Katoomba was absolutely gorgeous after last night’s rains and clearing skies.

Decided to go to Tasmania for three days after the song of the Sirens kept tugging at me, so I’m off to the wildest parts of Australia (as I’ve been told by mates who know the lay of the land here) early tomorrow.

Aussies love to shorten words and add a “y” or an “ie” to the end of the abbreviated term, so to them I’m going to Tassy, or more commonly, Tassie. Pretty funny – breakfast is brekky, football is footy, chocolate is choccy, petrol is petty, and on and on. I love it because it’s part of how sweet and chilled everyone here is.

I mentioned the “Road Trains” here on Australia’s small, winding roads. Here’s a triple – small brother to the big boys – 4 very long full load trucks, which I’ve seen all too often. You get the idea…. Not fun to pass on the right at night going 135 KPH, but they’re good drivers unless they have to turn or stop…

Yes, indeed.

Three Sisters peaks in Blue Mountains National Park, Katoomba. The Park gets its name from the oil dispersed into the air by its Eucalyptus trees, which shades the landscape with a beautiful blue hue.

My buddies in Manly. Great gyros and conversation with Nikko and his son. Matt – you remember them.

This chap was so happy to look up and see me taking his photo. Only in Australia…

Sydney’s charms extend to its neighborhoods and architecture.

Met the sweetest Aussie lass, Kate, an engineer in the Australian Navy, and ended up chatting for over an hour on a street corner near the harbor. Here’s her toy. I was impressed.

Sydney’s downtown skyline at day’s end from the Art Gallery (following shot).

I popped in (it’s open ’till 10 pm every day – how cool) and wandered into a big party with the architects chosen for the museum’s expansion giving a presentation of the proposed work. What a super nice crowd.

Francesca, from a small town in Italy, educating me on great Italian wines. What an angel.

Outside my hotel.

1963 Porsche 356B. This couple was so happy to stop and chat with me on their night out on the town.

Off to Tassie. Really excited. Next post will be from the other side of the Tasman Sea… I’ve been told to be careful with Tassy Devils over there. No wonder….

Before I forget – an updated map of my journey so far: