The Ocean

It's Monday night at 9:02pm! I woke up to more sunshine this morning, which definitely put a smile on my face. Once I finally got going, I went for breakfast at the cafe (James Pitt's) around the corner. I can't believe I hadn't noticed it before! After a cappuccino and a bacon and egg roll I made some phone calls and other necessary crap like seeing if my phone will work in New Zealand...yes, but I have to buy another SIM card there and I have to pay a large unlocking fee. I also found out that I should hear about my visa in 1-5 business days, so I'll definitely know sometime this week! Whew!

After getting my butt in gear, I grabbed my suit and a towel and took off for Bondi beach again! It had to have reached 80 here today because I was warm in my tank top and skirt. Marika told me about this great hike/walk along the coast from Bondi beach to Coogee beach, so I figured that would be something fun to do today. Oh my God! If any of you ever come to visit Australia, this walk is on the top of your list along with seeing the Opera House! It was that awesome!!! I took a ton of pictures and there wasn't a cloud in the sky so it was just a beautiful day. I passed quite a few beaches and walkers/joggers/and hikers of all ages. It took me about an hour and a half or maybe 2 hours, but I was walking at a leisurely pace and I stopped several times to take in the moment. It was as beautiful as Malibu (in California), but without all the smog! So even better! I definitely saw some of the neatest houses I've ever seen too. At one point I was walking through a quiet area with a lot of vegetation on the hill side and I heard some sort of slithering sound. I was like, WTF is that? I looked down and there was this snake-like salamander that was literally slithering on the ground! It must have been as long as my forearm, or just under a foot long! I've got a picture so I'll try and put it up ASAP!

I finally finished the walk and got my legs into the water for a few minutes--it was still freezing--and then tried to decide what I was going to do next. I ended up going to this cafe, another thing Marika told me about--that is just off Coogee beach, and is called "Five-o" because they have a bunch of meals for just $5! She said the food was good too, so I decided to check it out. I got a side salad and a huge piece of lasagna...for $5! It was like I was in Vegas or something...

After eating I hopped on a bus all the way back to Circular Quay. I decided that since I bought the Daytripper pass I should use all of it's capabilities and get on another ferry for a trip around the harbour. Of course, being me I decided not to do the short trip but to take the longest one offered so I could see all of the harbour. The sun was setting and I didn't really think it was going to take too long...almost 3 hours later I got off the damn ferry, completely freezing my butt off! We went half way up a river for gosh sakes. I'm just glad I had already eaten or I would have been dying. The first half of the ferry ride was pretty cool though...it's fun too see all of the harbour lit up at night.

I'll try and post the pictures soon...

-Lisa