Surfing - The Aftermath

We've been surfing everyday for two weeks now. We've had group lessons and private lessons, but sadly, both of us still suck. 

Though it's been a lot of fun, it's not the sport for me. I think we did well, a few bumps and bruises, a sore shoulder or two, but no major injuries. Which is a bit surprising, surfing is like snowboarding, if you haven't injured yourself at least a little bit learning, then you're not trying hard enough.

Anyways, here's a few pics from all the action.

SP is better at this than me.

This is how not to surf.

Hands out, crash imminent.

That almost looks easy.

Hang loose!

Beach Review #7: Manly Beach

Rating 4/5

Best use: Surfing, people watching and tanning. 

Cool stuff: Though the beach is always busy, because it's huge with four distinct surfing locations (five if you include the point) there is always a spot to catch a few waves. Other than the crowds, my only real complaint is that the beach gets dirty, especially after its rained.

-E 

Manly?

While waiting in the bus terminal, I turned and asked the young woman next to me "How much does it cost to get to Manly?" Her answer, "$3.50". But don't worry, I'm not about to embark on a sex change, our next port of call is Manly Beach, a suburb of Sidney renowned for it's surfing, trendy restaurants and beautiful beaches.

Manly was given it's name after early explorers encountered the local aboriginals and described their behaviour as "quite manly".

We all know grilling is manly, but here, anything can be manly.

Whining is manly.

Dancing is manly.

Even computers are Manly (SP doesn't understand why this is funny.)

How about Manly Spandex?

In more recent days, 1902 actually, Manly made a splash when a local reporter defied Victorian era laws banning all daylight "Ocean Bathing" and went for a noontime swim. He was arrested, despite wearing an appropriate neck to knee swimming costume, and the resulting uproar caused the law to be overturned the following year.

"Sea Nymphs" sculpted in Sand.

(So happy that we are not wearing woollen bathing suits today.)

Though Manly was already popular as a seaside respite from bustling Sidney, it was the opening of the "ocean bathing" that allowed the modern beach culture that permeates Manly to be born.

I'm going to have to work on the hot-lifeguard-in-uniform pics, 

this one is sadly a bit fuzzy.

Today Manly is one of the most popular surf beaches in Australia. There is also diving, snorkeling, swimming, boating, sailing, etc.

SP and I are just settling in. We managed to book a great last minute deal on a 1 bedroom apartment (which I think is larger than our place at home) just far enough off the main drag to not be bothered by the bars and restaurants.

Manly Beach - The view from our apartment deck.

Manly Harbor - The view from the back of our apartment.

Time for a cold beer.
-E

Turquoise Bay and the Oyster Stacks

Our three days of snorkeling have come to an end. I took fewer photos here than at the Great Barrier Reef (also, we spent a lot of time watching the octopi and the turtles.)

 

 

Beach Review #6: Turquoise Bay
Rating 4.8/5
Best use: Snorkeling, swimming and sun baking (it's not sun bathing down here, it's sun baking.)
Cool stuff: On one side of the beach there is a drift snorkeling area, on the other side, a protected sandy bay. Five minutes by car down the coast is a protected snorkeling lagoon on sandstone steps called Oyster Stacks. The beaches have almost no facilities. Just a parking area, a pit toilet and a very small shaded area with benches (no water, no trash cans, etc.) It's beautiful though, and the snorkeling is really good.

Port Douglas

Port Douglas is a tiny town devoted to very high end tourism. It's the most northern town that is a significant gateway to the great barrier reef. After 2 nights in a hostel and three nights on a boat, we though it would be a good break.

Port Douglas Water Front

The town is surrounded by expensive resorts including amenities like golf courses, heli pads, moorage, charter boats, exclusive reef access and pet maori wrasse.

This one's name is Greg.

Located on a peninsula, one side hosts an estuary with mangrove swamps complete with crocodiles and jelly fish (stingers). The other side is 4 mile beach and home to spit ball crabs.

4 mile beach with swimming net

The harbour complete with salt water crocs.

Though the crocs rarely venture around the peninsula to bother the swimmers, they are in the harbour, so don't fall overboard. Even the locals are fearful of falling in, which should tell you something.

Crocodile at the wildlife retreat

Waterfront sign

The stingers, which are also potentially fatal, do make it over to the beach though. Because of that, for the spring and summer months, all swimming is strongly encouraged to stay within the netted area. (That doesn't stop some folks who head out in the open water anyways, some even without stinger suits.)

The most entertaining animal is the spit ball crabs however. Technically called sand bubblers, they sift through sand looking for food creating little balls as they go. The beach is covered in them and they scurry away when you get close.

Spot the crab

All in all, Port Douglas is a lovely little quirky town. If you plan on visiting, bring lots of money and stay at place with a nice pool, especially in the warm months.



Beach Review # 5: 4 mile beach
Rating: 2/5
Best Use: Sun tanning, and in winter, kite surfing.
Cool Stuff: This beach would have received a 0 as any beach with multiple deadly animals can't really be that great (and you could get sharks here too.) But, the crabs were really cool and the water was a balmy 27'C, making it almost worth visiting.

Matai and Waikato Bays

The beautiful twin bays of Matai and Waikato are my the last beach reviews from the very far north.

We spent two afternoons up at the bays. They are nicely sheltered and get a lot less wind than much of the peninsula.

It's a shame I'm not a better photographer, as my pics just don't do them justice. (I think you would need a serious panoramic lens for that.)

Other than being highly photogenic, it's also great for swimming, snorkeling, bird watching, hiking or finding a secluded cove to just hang out in. Also, though there are shells on the beach in some areas, for the most part it's just sand.

There is a small campground nearby, but otherwise the bays are very secluded.

Beach review #4: Matai Bay and Waikato Bay

Rating: 4/5

Best use: Anything that doesn't require a lot of surf. (Bodyboarding possible)

Cool stuff: Apparently it's the best beach-access snorkelling in the far north. There is also pinnacle diving too.

I might have given this beach a 5 if the water wasn't so cold. We went snorkeling once in full wetsuits, but I was freezing in no time. Also, when we went it wasn't low tide, so it wasn't particularly interesting. The bay empties out quite a bit at low tide, so definitely better to snorkel then. 

We've booked a couple of reef dives in the Bay of Islands a few days from now, should be interesting to see if I freeze or not!

-E

Karikari beach

SM has always liked seashells. Little did she know that hiding on this peninsula is possibly one of the most prolific seashell beaches in NZ.

There are shells on some of the other beaches too, but Karikari has got to be the best.

SM, ready for action.

Scallops anyone?

How about the curly kind instead?

Black or white?

Even SP got in on the shell collecting action. Actually, his favorite part was the look of mortification on SMs face when he would 'accidentally' step on one of the curved scallop shells. They did produce the most satisfying popping/crunch noise. 

Beach review #3: Karikari beach

Rating 3.5/5

Best use: Shell collecting

Cool stuff: A very out of the way beach. Ocean exposure for big waves.

Pictures of the collection:

About the size of your palm.

This one didn't make the cut, broken ones are no good.