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Published: December 6th 2007
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Tama Rocks
One of the many stunning views from the Tamarama to Bondi cliff-side walk. As promised I am back with tales from my new city. For those of you who have not ventured Down Under (because I suspect if you have braved the 12-20 hour flight from the states you at least made it to Sydney), Sydney is a destination not to be missed. Thus far I have found only one flaw and that is the simple fact that it's too darn far from everything (and all of the people I love so dearly). Apart from this the city leaves you wanting for very little.
Sydney is deceptively massive. While its population is sizeable at 4.2 million, these people are dispersed over 651 square miles (1687 square km). As a comparison, New York City (all 5 boroughs that is) is 322 square miles with 8.2 million residents. So what do the Sydneysiders do with all this extra space? Beaches, beaches and yup, you guessed it, beaches. There are more than 70 harbour and ocean beaches in the urban area. The don't just have beaches, they have absolutely stunning beaches. A ten minute walk from the apartment in Bondi takes you to the nearest beach, Tamarama. About ten minutes to the east you reach Bronte
Beach and ten minutes to the west you reach the world-famous Bondi Beach. There's a seaside path that goes from Bronte to Bondi (approximately 3.4km or 2.1 miles) and I truly believe some of the views, particularly from the cliff-top path between Tamarama and Bondi are of the most beautiful I have ever seen. And to think you're in a major world city...check out the photos if you don't believe me.
One of the top ten sights in Sydney is the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition which just so happened to be the first two weeks of November. Over 100 sculptures are displayed along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk. The placement and installation of these pieces, which were in many cases the size of a car (or an actual car in one case), was as incredible as the art itself. I did my best to capture some of my favorites but I suggest you plan your Aussie holiday for early November and come experience the magnificence for yourself.
As an American, I have found myself amazed at the number of pristine beaches along the Aussie coast that have barely a single home lining the streets above. Although
Seal Rocks
Our little corner at the beach at Seal Rocks. in urban Sydney all such views have been greedily eaten up and continue to increase in value, just a couple hours up the coast and you have equally if not more beautiful spots with a virtual absence of both homes and people. My first weekend in Sydney we headed up to Seal Rocks for a long weekend with Si's closest friends. About a 3 hour drive from Sydney, Seal Rocks is a small sleepy, and rather isolated little beach town and thus far the dirt road which connects it to the highway has managed to keep the visitor numbers low. That is until Tracy went and told all of her readers to go visit!
It is doubtful that any of you reading this are unfamiliar with the most famous of Sydney's city sights. The Opera House and the Harbour Bridge of course being the most noteworthy. I didn't have time to do the Harbour Bridge climb on this trip, but it's on my list. As a nervous nelly acrophobe, I am taking my time working up to this one but have been told it is well worth the vertigo.
As there is an intension to live in this
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Taken while driving over the bridge, I thought this was a less common view but an equally impressive display of the landmark. city for years to come, I must admit there are many "must-do's" I have yet to experience. This is just a first taste of this city I have come to love but rest assured I will continue to share with you my many exciting discoveries as they come to pass! If I do right by myself and this incredible city, part deux will include the following:
1. Harbour Bridge Climb
2. Blue Mountains
3. Hunter Valley (Sydney's own Napa Valley)
4. About a million other things I have yet to discover...
In honor of my last weekend down under we jaunted up to Killcare Beach (yes, I know, another beach!) and enjoyed a lazy long weekend of barbequing and massive amounts of vino. The 10 hours of nonstop rain didn't keep us from enjoying this sleepy little town and and the peaceful environment it had to offer.
Leaving was far from easy, although aided by the anticipation of flying the new A380 from Sydney to Singapore! For all you non-airplane enthusiasts, that's the first ever double decker plane. Rumor has it there was a bedroom with a private queen bed somewhere onboard, but my economy ticket unfortunately
did not come with a tour of such perks. Stay tuned for tales from Vietnam...
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Leah Faust
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Gorgeous!
You! The views! Your new home! Sydney looks unreal & has been added to my list. The trail near your home in Bondi sounds like paradise. Good choice! Sure have a lot more fresh air than NYC. Congratulations and I’m so glad I found your photo blog...great shots I will be reading. Take care x Leah