Summer'in Sydney Style
Trip Start
Aug 28, 2008
1
35
38
Trip End
Feb 28, 2009
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Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Friday, February 6, 2009
Greetings from one of the best summer climates I've experienced since my time in the CO mountains six years ago. Summer in Sydney is all its cracked up to be, with great beaches full of beautiful people, awesome nightlife, and ocean water so cold it could shrink frozen vegetables. Last I left off, I was in Melbourne helping Tom, aka "The Kid", meet up with his mates from the UK. The day they arrived, we had decided to go watch the mens final tennis at the Australian Open on the big screen just outside of the stadium. What else to do in preparation than get a case of beer and watch some football on TV in the comfort of the lad's A/C room. By the time we got to the Open, things were already heating up. People were dressed the part, decked out in Swiss and Spanish colors. We had a pool going to join in the festivities but sadly I did not win the forty dollars. Instead, I spent that amount on beer and junk food, all of which I'd been missing on the two week road trip.
Next day was rather uneventful. I had a chores day which consisted of cleaning out the van, doing laundry, and getting a haircut. I watched a bit of the Super Bowl at the barber, and was quite pleased with Bruce Springtein's performance. Bruce has had a special place on this trip as he has been keeping us company in the van with the Essentials collection. Later that night I met up with Rachel, a girl we sat next to at the Open, and some of her work companions. This was the first time I hung out exclusively with the elusive Australian native. It was like catching a tiger in the wild... these people are hard nuts to crack.
Next day, I said goodbye to the lads, and parted ways. I went up to Mt. Buller, a ski resort north of Mel, and rented a bike for the day to ride. Mt. Buller is one of the tallest peaks in Victoria. I was trying to prepare for some of the adventure things we'll be doing in NZ shortly, and I think Gary has biking on the list. Next night was Sydney, and having arrived late, I just parked my van in the city and camped out there after a stiff vodka. In the morning I went sightseeing a bit, got terribly lost in the traffic, but ended up in Bondi, Sydney's most famous beach, where I spent the afternoon. Later that night, I got a call from Renata, a Brazilian I had met while snorkeling in Gili. She wanted to know if I wanted to hang out with her and some of her friends that night, so we hit up probably the most trendy bar I've been to.... well, ever. Even for NYC, I don't go to bars this fancy. Speaking of, Pennino, we have to make Rudy's one of our stops out on dude night.
Currently Im in Manly Beach, just north of Sydney. Its a smaller beach town than the big city, and a good place to get a parking spot. I will stay here for most of the weekend, as I prepare to fly out to meet G.
Hope this satisfied your thirst. Next time we meet, I will be deep in the heart of native Maori country learning the finer points of the All Blacks rugby techniques.
P.S. Try and say the title of this entry ten times fast... bet you can't.
Comments
Koala's in Fort Lauderdale
Hi Math,
Thanks for the last entry, the fun just keeps going. Although I have to say, it sounds like a familiar fun now, rather than all the diferent fun you where having while in Thailand, Nepal and India. It just seemed to be more interesting to me for some reason.
Anyway we are still enjoying every time you write.
I am glad you are having a good time.
It is so cold here. Even down here in FL! We just were in the 31 and 32 degrees just a couple of days ago. Brrrrr!! too cold for someone from down the border.
Hopefully tomorrow Adam will take me to the Palm Beach Lion Safari to see some animals. Normally is so freeking hot here that animals don't even bother to move at all. So hopefully we will see some Koalas in action.
A big hug for you,
Isabel.