mrbrown: Manly enough for Sydney?

I am writing this on the Manly Ferry in Sydney. I am not sure why the place I am going to is called Manly but I decided that I am manly enough to be there. 

Being the typical Singaporean abroad, I could not help comparing prices. And Sydney gave me a lot to complain about.

For instance, this ferry ride was A$13.20 (S$17.20) return. Ouch. Earlier on, I found that meals were A$10 on average.

I am too used to paying S$5 a meal at our hawker centers so every visit to even the most budget Australian fast food joint was painful.

Mineral water was A$3 for a small bottle. Cough syrup was A$18 for a bottle at a late night convenience store. The same store sold some no-brand double-A batteries for close to AU$10 for two.

You get the picture.

Hang on, I need to take some obligatory touristy photos of my ferry ride … Okay, I'm back. Where was I? Ah yes, prices.

You want how much for parking?

My friend told me he paid close to AU$80 for two hours of parking in the Sydney CBD. Good grief. Were the parking lots made of gold?

The only thing that Singaporeans will find attractive about cars in Sydney is the price of buying one. Our cars cost S$53,000 just for the RIGHT to buy one.

Maybe Singapore can make the cars as cheap as Australia's and charge US$84.86 (S$104.90) to park for two hours. That might work to keep the congestion down.

But knowing our government, I'd better not give them any ideas. They may just jack up the parking charges and still keep the cost of buying a car high.

So you have to forgive me when I tell you that Ryan, my mate, and I were adamant on finding things to do in Sydney that were free or at least didn't require us to sell our kidneys.

Give us the freebies!

We walked the Sydney Harbour Bridge, for instance. Conclusion? Nice view, but still a bridge.

We walked through all the exhibits for Vivid Sydney, a festival of light. They mentioned concerts and ideas too but we were mainly interested in the lovely light installations set up throughout the downtown area (mostly at the Circular Quay area).

In particular, the Sydney Opera House had a beautiful 15-minute light show that blew me away. Other cool light installations included the Customs House 3D light show and one by Singaporean artist Angela Choong that was a round bench lit up from the base.

I could not resist sitting on this lighted seat for a photo, I tell you.

I decided to "plank" on it. Yes, I know lying straight on some object or odd place is silly but I could not resist.

Vivid Sydney vs. Vivider Singapore?

I think the light installations for Vivid Sydney were the best free thing we found in Sydney. I can't wait for my government to do a similar one for our skyline and buildings. We must always one-up our neighbors.

You have Vivid Sydney? We will do Vivider, no, Vividest Singapore.

Make that Vividest Singapore with a Cherry on Top.

Hang on, I have to get off my Manly Ferry now … Okay, I am back.

I am told that Manly is known for its beaches. Their Manly Beach, as it were.

And because Ryan and I have the sense of humor of 12-year-olds, we kept giggling at the signs that said "Manly Pharmacy", "Manly Business Centre" and "Manly Grill". I kept looking for the Manly Ladies' Toilets.

Here is my travel tip for the day. Don't go to Manly Beach during winter. Seaside villages are dreadfully cold during the winter season and you probably don't want to swim in those waters, unless you are one of those hardcore surfers who still surf in these chilly winds.

The only redeeming thing about visiting Manly in June is the seafood. We holed up in the Manly Fish Market cafe and tucked in to some hot and fresh fish and scallops.

Yum.