What do you do when it's summer time in Australia, there's a break in a month long rain storm and the glorious, yellow heat source in the sky finally makes an appearance? You head to the beach, of course!
Today, Ryan and I headed north to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. We started the afternoon eating pizza on the promenade overlooking the ocean, and there may have been a couple of Golden Ales with lunch.
After lunch, we plopped our rears in the sand and soaked in some Vitamin D. With all the rain storms this past month, we've been sticking pretty close to home. Can you tell from my smile how happy I am to finally get out of the house...
...and put my feet in the sand? Those are some HAPPY feet!
Ryan is like a kid at the beach, and I love it. I've never been a confidant ocean swimmer. Not since I was a kid and got tumbled in the waves like a washing machine while my family was on holiday in Santa Cruz. Today, we played in the waves, and I went further into the ocean than I've gone since I was seven. Thanks Handsome for such a fun, playful day.
In Australia, the patrolled beaches have red and yellow flags. To be safe, you swim between the flags. However, between the flags happens to be the most crowded area. Here's the view from our spot just outside the lifeguard tower and flags. Not a bad view at all.
On our way back to the car, we noticed the benches lining the promenade. How cute are these?
All in all, we had a fantastic day at the beach. We realize it's the wet season, and there's going to be heaps of rain during the summer. But, we can put up with the wet season knowing that on days like this, we will head to the beach!
In 1837, when Robert Hoddle planned the original grid design for Melbourne, he included broad and imposing main streets that allowed for the delivery of large cartloads of goods by bullock teams. But, many people started to create their own, human-sized networks between the main streets. Today, these Laneways continue to offer a variety of delights. Some are populated by retail businesses, cafes, bars and street art, while others retain their original form, giving us a rare glimpse into the city's history.
I had a fun time exploring these hidden Laneways, and discovering the true heart of the city. I started the day on Degraves Street, which is crowded with alfresco dining and espresso shops. I, of course, stopped for my daily cappuccino.
Connected to Degraves Street is Centre Place, which is a narrow alley crowded with people, food and flair. No where on Earth have I witnessed such crowds of people happily eating their meals while surrounded by graffiti and rubbish. If there was a seat available, I think I would have gladly joined them, because the food looked and smelled absolutely delicious.
I meandered through a portion of the maze of Laneways finding hidden jewels around every corner.
In many of the laneways, are commissioned street art, AKA graffiti. But, unlike back home, this graffiti isn't defaced and makes the area look colorful and artistic.
If it weren't for the sudden onset of horrible hay fever symptoms, I would have continued exploring this part of the city. Damn Spring allergies!! It was a short orientation into the famous Laneways of Melbourne. However, now that I know they are there, you won't be able to keep me away.
I had lived in Oz for 10 months before we traveled to California for a 3 1/2 week holiday. I had grand plans of blogging about all of our adventures while in the States. But, once there, I barely found the time to check my email, let alone write blog entries about all the fun things we were doing. I have decided to compile the highlights of our trip into one, easy to read, bulleted list. Below are the things that made me smile during our trip home!
- Hanging out with mine and Ryan's families live - Skype is great, but live is even better.
- Target, Taco Bell and Tri-tip all in one day... I had the trifecta, and it felt like Christmas!
- Buying two books for $10 less than the cost of one book in Oz
- Going to the Frank Raines Dirt Bike Race and having my friends meet Ryan
- Seeing my nephews, JJ and Mark, REALLY take a liking to Ryan. JJ wanted to hold both of our hands and my heart melted.
- Shopping, Shopping and more Shopping since things are so much cheaper in the U.S.! Jeans for $30 never felt so good :)
- DSW = Shoe Heaven!!
- Spending quality time with Ryan's dad, who I've adored since I was 5
- Watching the SF Giants win the World Series
- Celebrating Halloween with my sister, Jamie, and her family ~ 6 adults and 3 kids, and we were ALL dressed up!!
- Spending a few days alone with Ryan in our Nevada City cabin in the woods
- Going hiking in Bridgeport with Ryan, my niece, Casey, and nephew Ty and their dog Jasmine.
- Eating dinner at Friar Tuck's with my Dad and my sister, Dayna, and then the next night having an even larger family dinner at Dayna's house
- Staying the night with Herschel, my friend and former colleague, and his wife, Teresa (also my friend) Thanks again you two. It was so much fun!
- Spending a day driving along Hwy 1 From Half Moon Bay to Monterrey with two of Ryan's friends from Oregon. Fun day!
- Dirt Bike Camping at Franks with my sister, Jamie, and her family. I sure have missed riding.
- Playing cards with my Parents and Grandparents. I can't believe I finally won a game.
- The combined Family dinner at Alberto's Cantina, where we had a table for 12. And we wondered why they put us in the back room : )
- Being able to laugh and hug and talk to our families in person
It was a GREAT trip home, and although we were sad to leave we were also happy to return to Oz and continue our adventure. Until next time....
Today I wandered through The Rocks, Sydney's oldest neighborhood. The Rocks were home to the Indigenous people for thousands of years. Then, in 1788, Australia's first European settlers- British convicts and their overseers- claimed the land and built their camp atop the cliffs.
The area has a colorful history filled with tales of sailors, rough gangs and gritty life. Many of the buildings survived the past two centuries and have been turned into restaurants, boutique shops and art galleries.
The buildings are joined together by historic brick pathways and underground tunnels. When walking through The Rocks , it's impossible not to imagine what life was like for its inhabitants two hundred years ago. The history simply surrounds you.
I found myself traveling through mazes of brick alleys that, when followed, will lead you to various sunken courtyards with some sort of hidden jewel, such as an outdoor cafe, art gallery or pub. From The Rocks' main streets, these hidden areas are just that - hidden. Unless, you slip into one of the many narrow passageways, you would never even know they were there. All in all, it was great discovering this part of Sydney's past.
I've been to Sydney once before. So, when we arrived yesterday, I knew right where I was headed, The Botanic Gardens. The Gardens are situated overlooking Farm Cove, directly east of The Opera House, The Harbour Bridge and Circular Quay. It's my favorite part of the city.
It's Spring in Australia, and the gardens were in full bloom.
My goal was to make it to the tip of Mrs. Macquarie's Point, said to have the best view of both The Harbour Bridge and The Opera House. I would have to say, I agree. The Garden's were established in 1816 by Governor Macquarie as part of the Governor's Domain. Elizabeth Macquarie, the Governor's wife, used to walk to the point and liked to sit and admire the view of the Harbour. Her husband has his workmen carve a special seat for her.
After walking to the tip of Mrs. Macquaries Point, I plopped myself down on one of the many lawns and read my book for awhile. What a view! I had the city and gardens to my back, Farm Cove in front of me, and The Opera House and Harbour Bridge off to my left.
After reading for awhile, I walked a short distance to the Opera House Cafe. It's a Bar and Grill type restaurant with outside seating at the base of the Opera House stairs. Another place with GREAT views. There, I had my first bubbly of the trip while enjoying the views of the Harbour.
Sydney is quite an active city. In Brisbane, I have never felt like a tourist. I realize that I am a foreigner here, but I've never felt like a typical tourist. In Sydney, it's different. Yesterday, I was surrounded by multiple languages. I heard German, Spanish, Japanese, English, Italian ...just to name a few. And everywhere I looked people were taking just as many pictures as I was with their Nikons and Cannons. I guess this is to be expected when you're in one of the World's Great Cities.
