Short and Pale Travel: Last week in Sydney

Last week in Sydney

Well its taken us a while to write this posting since we did not spend a single second in Sydney not soaking up all of its awesomeness. even just laying on the beach or hanging out watching a Mad Men episode with our new friends was logged down in the memory bank as a great time. But here is a summed up version of our last (tear) week in sydney.

Toronga Zoo

As we've mentioned a few times, Toronga Zoo is just across the harbour and it's views while looking at the Giraffe encounter, or watching the Seal Show are spectacular. And well... girl loves a zoo - so this one was awesome! We had such a great day - we watched the Tigers playing and pouncing on each other, baby elephants washing themselves, and got up and close with an adorable Koala to take some pics and watch him eat and snuggle. After eating our sandwiches on a little bench that overlooked the Opera House, checking out some terrifying snakes (that apparently just live around AU - yikes), and ignoring a great ton of exotic birds (birds just never do it for us) - we took the last ferry back into the Circular Quay. We decided to find a beautiful bar on the harbor, have a couple drinks and plan more of this crazy adventure. We pulled out our awesome AU & NZ guide books (thanks Court & May), and we sat on the water and read and laughed at all the things we wanted to to, and all the things we haven't even begun to plan for. Everything has been a bit, fly by the seat of our pants:). It started to pour down rain, and everyone outside got hit and had to run in except for Col & I... for some reason we were under the one umbrella that kept us dry... its as if the universe was yelling "plan your trip damn it!". It was a great night, that ended with a mellow dinner back at our "home".

Good Friday

Was spent on the beach - soaking up the sun... pretty much living like a local. We went out that night for a quick drink at Revisis & Hotel Bondi with Sarah & Rob, then called it an early night around 10pm (when the bars close on Good Friday), grabbed some delicious late night pizza and all settled down for an episode of Arrow (the most awful and entertaining American TV show... don't watch it).

Big Saturday

Saturday was lovely. We woke up and went to the growers market again - which we love and just can get enough of. We had yummy egg and bacon sandos with fresh apple, lime, and ginger juice. We sat on the lawn and picked up a bunch of veggies for Easter dinner and then walked back slowly along the beach. Later that night we snuggled a bit, then showered up and headed out to the Wooloohara Hotel to meet Sarah, Abby, and KC for drinks. We also met up with a bunch of Robs friends and the night turned into an adventure. I've noticed that Aussie ladies around here are just a dream. They are so welcoming, open, and kind - I have loved every one of them I have met. The men out here are delightful as well, but man... they will not let anyone get halfway through a beer without order 2 more rounds (or shouts as they are called here) to have waiting for you. Makes for quite the night. We ended the night at a bar called "Mrs. Sippy" awesome:) - then had a late night dance party on our balcony, while Sarah yelled "I love America"!! There was a battle between American pop vs American gangster jams - and some late night Maccas (McDonald's) was had. It was so much fun - and a shout out to Rob & Sarah for taking us along on their wild night.

Easter

We woke up the next morning to beautiful weather, a headache, some good laughs and the best homemade breakfast full of hot cross buns, bacon, eggs, olive bread, fresh orange juice, smoothies, and some much needed coffee. Rob took Colin snorkeling around at the north end of Bondi, some how he managed to survive it. We sat around the table and enjoyed the company... and then we are not afraid to admit it. We watched TV for a LONG TIME. It was great - we laughed hysterically with Sarah as we could not understand a word each other was saying in our accents and slang, and we were finally comfortable enough to admit it. Later that night I made some yummy chicken tacos for everyone, and we celebrated Easter with chocolate eggs and Tim Tams.

Hermitage Gap

The next day - after some yummy yogurt, berries, and museli (also our next favorite) we grabbed a coffee and headed out to do the Hermitage Gap walk. I think that was our (or at least my) favorite walk so far. Their were views for days - Opera House, Harbor Bridge, Northhead, Southhead, bay, ocean, The Gap, the lighthouse - we got to see it all. And we on our way we stopped for a swim in Camp Cove, and had some fish and chips at Watson's Bay. We ended our day back at the house, while we chatted, I whipped up some quesadillas, and Col & I planned our last day at Bondi.

Last Day

Knowing we wanted to soak up every last minute - we got up before the sun did, so that we could watch it Rise while being over by Icebergs on the south end of bondi. We came back and walked along the town with Sarah, getting some yummy coffee and walking into book stores. We then spent a few hours on the beach and then did our final run to Tamarama beach - walking back breathing in the ocean air - talking about how lucky we were. We ended the night with some homemade soup with Rob & Sarah, and said our final goodbyes to our new friends, and this beautiful city. We promised that we would keep the tradition going with our kids, and make sure that they became life long friends and sent their kids to come visit as well.

There is not much else to say other than - gosh we are so appreciative of this experince. Leg one of our adventure could not have been better. Spending time with such wonderful people and doing so many amazing things was such a treat. Sydney will forever be a special place in our hearts.