The Big Day!!

 Day 5 - Thursday, Dec 25 – Merry Christmas

We awoke on Christmas morning ahead of the rest of the world. There was a little bit of gift giving based on what we could pack for the trip. Monica and Barry had gifts for the kids as did grandma Ruberg. It was tie for breakfast. Based on a recommendation from Monica and Barry’s sister-in-law, Geri, we went to Pancakes on the Rocks for breakfast. The selection of pancakes was quite impressive. Evan went for supreme chocolate - chocolate devil's food pancakes with chocolate syrup and a scoop of chocolate ice cream and whipped cream. Carter got Nutella pancakes which was 2 pancakes with Nutella spread in between. There was chocolate syrup and ice cream and whipped cream on top. Gordon got apple crumble pancakes, which was modeled after a Dutch apple pie but, of course, using pancakes. Ruby got butterfly pancakes, which was an alignment of three small pancakes with sprinkles and chocolate sauce embellishments to make it look like a butterfly. Steve got the raspberry and white chocolate pancakes which also came with a scoop of ice cream on top. Monica and Barry decided to split a Big Breakfast that included a bit of everything on the menu, because they suspected they would be able to sample pancakes from all of us around the table. We had a very enjoyable start to our Christmas Day.

We were wondering what Christmas would be like in Sydney. There appears to be a very eclectic population of people, and we didn't know if or how they might celebrate Christmas. What we did see what's that the restaurant we went to for breakfast was somewhat empty at 8:30, but by the time we left, it was starting to fill up. We left breakfast in a bit of a rush to catch the ferry to Manly Beach for our Christmas Day on the beach. The streets and Circular Quay we're getting busy. The ferry, which carries 250 people, was nearly full and we got some of the last seats. The ferry ride was smooth and easy and lasted about 20 minutes. We docked at Manly and proceeded to the sporting goods shop where we had reserved a tent, some boogie boards, and other beach stuff. But the store was closed! We walked through the little village area to the beach determined to have a good day despite this misfortune.

Manly beach was wonderful! Now it was cloudy, at about 70° F, so it was not ideal swimming conditions. There was alternating sun and clouds (mostly clouds), but when the sun was out it felt warm enough for swimming. The beach is large and has soft sand, and the waves come rolling in with sufficient height and force to allow excellent body surfing. While the four kids were tentatively approaching the water and feeling it out, grandpa went running by all four of them headlong into the ocean. Let the fun begin! All the boys had a great time in the water, while Ruby remained on the beach playing in the sand … and of course, the ever-present cartwheeling. After some frolicking in the water, the boys joined Ruby on the beach, and they decided to build a snowman out of sand. It was very neat to see. Our stay at Manly Beach ended around 2:00 PM due to the less than ideal temperature conditions. We all agreed that we needed a magnum bar or some other ice cream treat for Christmas Day.

 

    

 

After ice cream we got on the ferry back to Circular Quay, and we spent some time walking through the botanical gardens nearby. The late afternoon was spent at the hotel pool and hot tub, which was very relaxing. Monica and Barry prepared a wonderful Christmas dinner with spaghetti bolognese garlic bread and a side of steamed broccoli. We ate to our heart’s content, looking out of our suite over the amazing Sydney Harbor! (OK, it is really Harbour?)

 

  

After dinner we took a 20-minute walk to St. Mary’s Cathedral to check out their legendary Christmas festival and light show. There was a throng of people around the Cathedral, and we walked into a side entrance where there were fewer people. The church was busy with many sightseers and the organist was playing joyous Christmas music. After looking around at the amazing Cathedral, we existed the front doors that overlook a large plaza in front of the church. There was a massive crowd with lots of booths for food and drinks. It was very difficult to move around. Steve got in line for the popcorn, and Barry and Monica got in line for a face painting for Ruby. In the popcorn line, Steve had a nice conversation with some people from Armenia, one of whom was a Indiana Pacers fan (they were big on the NBA). Too much – another small world experience.

 

After long waits for popcorn and face painting, it was time for the light show, and what a light show it was!!! It was based on the Christmas song “The Little Drummer Boy” and lasted about 15 minutes. The lighting was spectacular on the façade of the cathedral! I will just let the pictures tell the story. You will see in picture that many, many people had their mobile devices out to record the brilliant-colored show.

 

 

    

 After the light show we made our way painstakingly through the crowd holding each other’s hands in single file. We got to the open streets and walked a different way home using George Street. There was a giant party on a city plaza near George Street. The big Christmas tree was also doing a clever light show aligned with Christmas music. There were tons of people and a real party atmosphere. For a family that always spends Christmas at home  with other family members, it was astonishing for us to see so many people (10’s of thousands) on the streets in a festive environment! A very unusual vibe for us. I can’t imagine what New Year’s Eve must be like!  

       

 By the time we got home, it was time to wrap up the day and get some sleep for our flight to Hamilton Island in the morning