Curbing Our Enthusiasm

       We will eventually buy a car here once we figure out where we'll live.  We're hoping that we live somewhere that Chris can use public transportation to get to and from work.  Many houses only have one parking space and the street parking is a bit harrowing due to the narrow, windy roads and need for parallel parking.  But for now, we are getting around on the buses, ferries and taxis. 
        Today though, we decided to explore some areas in which we may want to house hunt and decided it would be easiest with a car.  After a quick trip to Avis downstairs (everything seems to be in this building), Chris headed off in a Ford Falcon alone.  With the three of us safely at home, Chris was soon texting that it was "a piece of cake."  Um, yeah.
       Actually, he did a great job and I am glad it was not me behind the wheel yet.  The roads here seem much narrower than streets at home and are lined with cars on both sides.  So, you frequently have to pull over to let a car by you or pull into the opposite lane to get around parked vehicles.  Not a big deal if you aren't already concentrating on driving in the "wrong" lane and not really knowing where you are going.  Can you tell this is my biggest hangup about being here?  I think I'll have to just jump in soon and get on with it. 
         We headed to an area called Balmain which was formerly an industrial and working class center but now has become a hip neighborhood with character and great harbor views.  It would be a fairly quick ferry ride to work for Chris but there are few properties available.  From there we went north to Seaforth, Fairlight and Mosman, checking out the amazing views along the way.  We had lunch in Mosman, wound our way back across the harbor, and then went east to the beaches on the Pacific.  By the time we rode around Bondi Beach, I was sleepy and didn't take any photos.  Another day. 

        Did I mention that Chris hit (hard) various curbs (all on my side) 5 times today?  It was a little nervewracking after the first couple.  He was even surprised the tire didn't blow at one point.  So, I'm giving him some grief with this title and just hoping he's not in the car with me counting the first day that I drive!





These interesting pools can be found frequently down here.
It's essentially just a blocked off part of the harbor with naturally circulating harbor water...
but no harbor sealife. This one's in Balmain.

These impressive fig trees are all over. 

Entrance to Sydney harbor from the Pacific Ocean as seen from Grotto Point.

Balmoral Beach, a beautiful harbor beach, in Mosman.  You can see the tip of the Harbor Bridge in the upper right corner. 

Breaks from driving around are necessary!

That's our apartment in the center background.  "Stairway to the sky" as coined by the kids.