manly beach

Last week, between weeks of on and off rain, we suddenly had one sweltering day here in Sydney-101 degrees-or 38 degrees actually, I should say, as I now live in the land of Celsius. A few friends and I headed off for an early dim sum lunch in Haymarket, Sydney's Chinatown, sweating bullets and chugging water like goon. Lisa ordered in Chinese, so we had the staff bringing out dishes made specially for us: turnip cakes, and dim sim, and custard buns, which as Jeff says, "can change your life".

From there we made our way down to the harbour. The 30 minute ferry ride from Circular Quay to Manly is memorable in itself, slowly chugging by the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, and some of Sydney's prettiest and most expensive suburbs. Arriving in Manly, we strolled down the Corso, one of Sydney's promenades (modelled after the Via del Corso in Rome) with the rest of the crowds. The Corso is lined with all things Australian: an Ugg store, a Coles supermarket, too many kebab shops, gelaterias, Billabong, and souvenir stores (displaying the Australian Bloke 2010 Calendar which I have had my eye on for awhile now). But the real highlight of the day, was crossing the street and coming upon the view of Manly Beach, the colorful flags waving in the light breeze and the crystal clear water, which we later found out was absolutely freezing, but quite refreshing on the hottest day of the year.

Emperors Garden Restaurant

96-100 Hay St.

Haymarket