Bondi Beach and Sydney

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Hi everyone!

Made it across the Tasman safe and sound and now we're in Sydney for a few days. In our last few days in Christchurch, New Zealand I managed to unload my guitar on trademe.co.nz which is like eBay in the States. We also sold Chippy to a guy Caitlin met on Stewart Island. We didn't get too bad a price and I was just relieved to sell the car in such a short time.

Stu and Barabara, the couple we were staying with, lent us their car to drive to the airport. I was amazed by this immediate generosity since they had only known us a few days. In speaking with them at dinner (and sharing a bottle of wine with them), I learned quite a bit about true Kiwi hospitality. They live by the tenent what goes around comes around and I think they get along greatly for it.

We quickly got reacquainted with the burden of our packs, dragging them across the airport parking lots from where we parked Stu and Barbara's car in long term spots. We checked in and waited a few hours, spending the last bits of our New Zealand money mainly on chocolate and managed to board the plane a little under sugar shock.

It was a short four hour flight and again I was impressed with the service on Air New Zealand. We arrived in Sydney and immediately, we knew we weren't on the island anymore. Compared to the maritime weather of NZ, Australia is an OVEN. The was oppressive to our wind and rain weathered bodies.

Immediately, our shuttle whisked us off to the famous Bondi Beach. Caitlin and I were all smiles and it began to feel like vacation! Beatiful beaches, young tan people, surf shops and oily muscley men working out under the sun. We soaked in the beach life and tried to catch 40 winks when we could among all the teenie bopping MTV Spring Breakers that we were staying with in the hostel.

Luckily since then, we've moved on to Sydney staying with Susan and Paul in Manley Beach, north of the city. They are friends of friends of Caitlin's and they've also been great giving us advice on tours and sightseeing. They've both spent quite a bit of time in Boston and NJ so we got to spend a bit of time commiserating over the traffic in the Northeast and how we're all glad we're not there to freeze to death.

Finally, in a stroke of luck, Sydney's Mardi Gras was this weekend! After four months of hunkering down with sheep in farm pastures, I was so excited to hit the town and take part in the festive mood. Mardi Gras is famous for outrageous costumes, pounding dance floors and the thousands of spectators it draws every year. It was an amazing experience to see so many people, families and couples out and about, obviously having the time of their lives! 500,000 people peacefully celebrated on Oxford Street last night taking in the parade floats and the amazing afterparties.

Today, sadly, Caitlin leaves for the States. It's been an awesome adventure. I'll see her soon when I get back. Meanwhile, I think I may stay in Sydney for another few nights, perhaps check out the Blue Mountains or a national park. Then down to Melbourne and home... eventually.

😊 take care everyone (and safe travels, Buddy!)
love
meesh

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Comments

[Malique]

eep.
holy moly those flying fox bat things are creepy :)