Despite Jim and Jackie being out till the small hours at a Jesus Jones and Wonder Stuff gig, we were up not long after 8am, and all privately thanked ourselves that, although for the very first time in our Australia trip we had been to a pub and bought beer, we had only had a couple so remained completely sober - with no after effects.
First stop was Manly. On Sundays a family travel ticket (anywhere on trains, buses, ferries) is just 2.50 dollars per family member - a complete bargain - in fact the bargain that surpasses MacDonald's ice creams as THE bargain of Australia.
By 10 am we were on the Manly ferry. Manly is on the open sea - but just a 30 minute ferry ride away, and as we reached the head of the estuary it became quite choppy, and we enjoyed a bit of a soaking as the waves came over the bows. Apparently it is usually quite choppy here - and the ferry is very rarely cancelled.
On arrival we met up with Barry Nunn, our flatmate when we lived in Rozelle. It was great to see not just him but his wife Megan and their 3 children Toby, Mollie and Jamie. Joseph was especially delighted to see their son Toby (7). Within minutes they were best buddies, jumping into the Pacific on Manly beach and playing in the sand.
Continuing the money no object theme (which commenced with buying beers in a pub last night) we bought our first coffees of the whole trip in a coffee shop and the kids a muffin. (Up to now its been thermos coffee, and Woolworth's biscuits!). It was great to catch up with Barry, and enjoy as a bonus some chips on the beach - and we hope to repay the compliment in Leeds sometime.
Then it was a mad rush back to the Manly Ferry as Jackie needed to get back to the youth hostel to pick up her bags for her flight back to Melbourne.
After saying bye to Jackie, we had yet another first. Our first meal out just as a family (although to be accurate we also had a meal out with Jeff and Cecilia who are extended family on Katherine's birthday). As we booked a 3 day package at the youth hostel (bed + DIY cooked breakfast + a meal voucher for the pub next door). The deal was a pizza + drink - and it was more than enough to fill us! We calculated that the meal and drinks would have cost the best part of £100 had we just turned up at the pub. The same meal at domino's pizza would have been less than £20. How can people afford to visit this country and eat and drink out! Anyway this added to the special feeling of our last day in Australia.
Next stop was another ferry ride - this time to Darling Harbour - and a walk around this leisure orientated area. The girls window shopped for Ugg boots - but are concerned that the labels they saw may not have the street cred for UK streets so left them in the shop! But they did buy a few souvenirs and Joseph used his money from friends and family to buy a small didgeridoo - something he has wanted since the day he arrived in Australia.
Then it was back by ferry to Circular Quay - this time we joked that it was a night cruise. If we were not still so stuffed from our pizza we would have eaten a biscuit and called it a "dining cruise experience" ($200 worth!).
We got full value from our $2.50 travel card.
A quick look at the night view of the bridge and the opera house from the roof of this fantastic hostel and back to the room to start packing.
Tomorrow is a 5pm flight to Thailand. We arrive in Thailand at midnight (local time) equivalent of 2am Australian time - and we understand immigration can take a while - so it will be an exhausting day tomorrow.
In Thailand we will be seeking wifi - the dongle will not work there - so blog updates may be a bit more intermittent. We have booked 3 nights accommodation in Bangkok, but have yet to decide what to do after that.
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