October 22, 2008 - To The Beach

Last night was good fun. I had a bunch of drinks at the hostel bar again. There was typical traveler bar hyjinx including a silly trivia game. My group grew last night as it was day 2 in the same place. I shared beers and laughs with a group consisting of a few brits, a Canadian and a couple of Dutch girls.

I was determined to make it out of the hostel bar so I ended up hooking up with some acquaintances I made including Germans a Scot and some Welch. We didn’t go to the famous Kings Cross, but to a bar that was obviously geared towards transient Australians. It was packed, loud and dirty; it felt the same as a dive college bar anywhere in the world. I had a few more drinks and then stumbled back to the hostel.

I slept in pretty late, this morning it was not intentional, 11ish was a bit of a struggle. I headed off for coffee and some food with a Canadian girl who is staying in my dorm room. Funny enough she will be heading to Fujian province to teach after her travels, we had a fun chat about her prospects. I have the feeling she has no idea what she is getting into, but she seems adventurous enough to handle it.

We also had some food, what is turning into my one meal per day allowance. This country is expensive. You pretty much can’t find anything to eat that doesn’t cost around 10 Australian which is about 8 bucks. Maybe I am spoiled, but 8 bucks for fast food is a struggle and with a constant nightly beer diet at 5 bucks a pop, something has to get the axe. My stomach is angry, but it is probably going to be a good help for my manly physique.

The weather here was pretty terrible yesterday and again today. It is raining and pretty cold, probably about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, I will not be denied a proper Sydney experience and headed off to the beach. I read on a sign that on a summer day just one of the beach heads hosts up to 35,000 sun seekers and surfers today it was just me and few locals walking their dogs or jogging and the odd surfer or two. It is clear that on a beautiful day that the beaches are probably bustling and beautiful, but today the Pacific Ocean was dark and foreboding.








I hiked the along the Oceanside trail between 2 of the most famous beached in Sydney Bondi and Coogee beach. Aside from the weather it was a great walk, I think it was about almost 2 hours (I as of yet still have no time keeping device which is very strange for me). I walked through a seaside sculpture exhibition, through a little neighborhood, passed a magnificently placed cemetery.



I returned to the hostel feeling pretty good and like I had a nice workout. My flight to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef is tomorrow morning bright and early at 7:30 AM. I will be doing a 3 day and 2 night liveaboard dive trip. Ill say goodbye to Sydney tonight with a few schooners of beer with my new friends try to get a few hours of sleep.