Sights of Sydney

Completely old and completely no effort, but here is a bit of proof I was actually in Sydney for the past month. Enjoy!

Lovely Harbour Bridge view from the white party cruise

White party with Absi

Random little fellows at the weekend Parramatta market

Home Bar @ Darling Harbour = Epic.

So many expressions

P-town Eels dominate at the rugby

Team rugby

Newtown chai tea

Newtown boutique shopping

Me and that one Australian at State of Origin

Architecture in Helsinki at the Opera House!

Vivid lights event at Circular Quay

Creams, 21, NZ Reunion

Back to Sydney from the extended NZ party didn't mean the fun was ending...no, not at all. One day of sleep was all I needed before CREAMFIELDS! April 30.

Mud up and down my legs

Epic lineup: Dada Life, Bingo Players, Chuckie, Martin Solveig, Skrillex, and Deadmau5. Needless to say, I didn't dare venture from the main stage. The threatening black clouds cleared just in time for our parade, leaving behind only some muddy grounds, and that was more than alright.

Before the sweat and dirt set in.

Seriously talented artists, the highlight being SKRILLEX! By a massive landslide. I had been wanting to see him stupidly ridiculously badly for over a year now and let me say, he did not dare disappoint in the slightest. 'Scary Monsters and Nice Spites', 'With You Friends', and 'In For the Kill'.....YES, YES, YES is all I need to say. Look up the YouTube vids. Deadmau5 was pretty brilliant as well, but I must admit, it was his ultra hot sidekick Sofi in 'Raise Your Weapon' and 'Sofi Needs a Ladder' that did me in. Simply amazing, and the one time I appreciated a light cool rain that hit just perfectly at the time her voice echoed across the enthused grounds.

Check this: Skrillex Stage Dive

Oscars

Tuesday was my 21st! Finaaaaaally. And I felt ridiculously loved. Fifteen of the coolest Parra kids came out to join the celebrations at Darling Harbour happy hours, complete with the most spectacular caramelish cake, party tiaras, and heaps of balloons (Savannah and Matty are amazing). We actually were reprimanded by the bartender for having balloons popping all over the place. Whooops. It is a birthday party, after all.

True love

Meandered our way to the backpacker center of Sydney: Side Bar. Pleasantly mild on a Tuesday evening with a sweet-as-can-be three person acoustic band. Later the DJ jumped up and we danced the night away to house-infused commercial tunes. I probably drank less alcohol on my twenty-first than any other twenty-one-year-old ever, but had such a fantastic time.

Had a top Wednesday with Dainerrrr from North Cackalacky shopping around the CBD and soaking in the sunny day. Just as our feet were about to fall off, sun disappearing, sipping coffee, awaiting the ferry back to P-Town, who do I literally run into, but my two lovely, wide-eyed English/Welsh recent hostel roomies from NZ: Becca and Lissa! Such a small, small world. Whaaaaat?! We plan to meet up Friday for a night on the town.

NZ reunion with the medics in Syd

Friday accidentally turned into a weekend extravaganza. I went to my internship on Friday at Posse, planning to meet Bec and Lis afterward, as well as the English medic team of four lads we had met in NZed, also in town for the weekend. Yay! Went out for a drink with the Posse clan, met up with team NZ at the hostel, and danced the night away at epic World Bar down at the Cross. After a night capping kebab with extra hot sauce, I obviously accept the offer of an extra hostel bed over the middle-of-the-night trek back to the suburbs. Okay.

So Saturday: I swear I meant to go home so many times. But the city was such fun! It had been a minute since I had romped around solo all day long and I was so enjoying myself. Treated myself to cafe breakfast wrap after seeing the boys off to Bondi and the girls off to the airport, saw a queue of kids dressed as comic characters around the block awaiting their free comic books, a giant dancing panda for no apparent reason, chatted with a wild homeless man in a quaint bookstore, bought 'A Clockwork Orange' and dived into it at grassy Hyde Park while welcoming a slight sunburn, took my broken iPod into the Genius Bar to receive a brand new 64 GB Touch for a mere hundred bones (!!!!), talked my way into a full spa and haircut deal for $40 less than offered, celebrated Buddha's birthday at the Darling Harbour festival, watched a crazy man juggle fire harbourside, bough an assortment of lollies like a child at the local candy shop...and that was just the day.

Gaff

Met up with my darling Swedish friend Susanne and kicked it for a bit in her pleasantly packed 11-person in a 2-bedroom sweetest ever Darling Harbour apartment. Seriously so tired, blistered feet, and still in the SAME outfit I had put on 6 am Friday morning. Head out after an all-too-delicious and even more filling Chinatown dinner to finally catch the bus home when what do I see but a giant dancing Elmo. I can't go home to sleep, far too much a happening here. So call up the medics from NZ and meet up, ultimately going to the Gaff for free entry and VIP drink prices thanks to Susanne's French flat mate's connections. Night is a blast, dubsteppin all over the place, and I have to accept another hostel bed with the medics. 7 am Sunday: GO HOME. The outfit has had its fair 48 hour usage, and now past the verge of being overly grim. Trek back to Parra for an hour-long shower sesh and a day of whipping out a group uni project.

Such a jam packed week of Sydneysiding and I realize I only really have 3 weeks left in this city. Time is a-flying. Uni and internship are quickly coming to a close. When June hits, it'll be travels all around and I am beyond excited.

An Ultimate Kiwi Experience

Where to even begin? My semester break of 17 days trekking around the glories of New Zealand are very much in the rankings as some of the best days of my life. Absolutely amazing. Loaded up my one trusty Osprey pack for what would turn into an utterly fantastic, adrenaline-infused, constantly moving adventure of a lifetime. Begin: April 12. Fly to Auckland.

I'm a newbie at this whole backpacking business. I managed, but you should note to always bring a towel. And soap. They tend to come in handy. But whatevs, you get by with a little help from your friends. Or just use the floor mats, bed sheets, paper towels, and flanel jackets to dry after the far-and-few-between showers when your pals' towels are mildew-ridden. Oh the good times.

1 bag, 17 days. Go, Osprey, go!

Didn't see too much of Auckland except the inside of the most disgusting hostel I saw the whole time, and will hopefully ever see. Rocked up at half midnight to room with Miles. Oh, Miles. Poor robotic-moving, lisped-beyond-control, awk as kid from Perth. I'll say he probably had a good heart. Explored the mostly deserted streets for thirty minutes, checked out the local Macker's and decided on a good night's sleep before the Kiwi Experience began the next AM. Bells, Daina, and I finagled a free shuttle ride, clean towels, meusli brekky, and cups of joe. (This is pretty difficult to manage). So we were happy. Let the adventure commence!

Mt. Eden

Hop the Kiwi Experience bright and early to meet an overwhelming amount of English backpackers. Unlike Americans, English kids take a gap year before/after university in which they save up a lump of cash and then go 'splorin'. I like this idea. Heaps. So the Kiwi for most of our backpacker mates was just a stepping stone in their 6-12 month world travel treks. First stop: Mt. Eden, overlooking all of Auckland. Pretty spectacular. Naturally, I played some Sierra Leone atop the grassy peak. Nice.

Cathedral Cove

The cool thing about the Kiwi is that although it takes you to a specified destination each day, with a guaranteed reservation at a hostel, there are loads of sweet surprise pit stops along the way. You really get a feel for the whole countryside. Cathedral Cove, midway between Auckland and Mercury Bay, may have been the absolute most beautiful beach I have ever seen. Super stunning. White beach only accessible via 30 minute green pasture hike, with the prettiest clear blue water ever. Really amazing. Swam like giddy children at recess out to the nearest rock where we made our first friends, dove off, and swam back to shore for the first of many rugby matches. This is going to be FUN!

Random cave en route somewhere.

From Cathedral Cove on, it was constant go go go. Fun fun fun. And adrenaline to the max. Mercury Bay was a quaint, quiet beachside town where we all basically got to know one another at the hostel. Funny how complete strangers from all over the world can turn into your best friends and family in a few short days of being around one other 24/7.

All the cool kids in the back of the bus.

After Mercury Bay, headed to Rotorua. A swell little place that's only downfall was the gnarly egg smell from the sulfur of the hot springs. Luging! Gondola up the mountain and ride what are basically go carts without engines down twisty-turny paths, completely recklessly. Such a thrill. Went out that night to Lava Bar where we convinced some poor locals that we were from places like Scotland, where 'hello' was 'wagga wagga' and Narnia was a real place in the midst of Europe. Too too funny. The locals loved us. Such ignorance.

Raging rapids and weird as friends.

Days were super long, and I mean that in the best way possible. Up at the crack of dawn, exhausting activities all day long, and up as late as our eyelids would possibly let us. Such a good feeling to sleep solely for the reason that you cannot go on one more second, literally. Worthwhile times.

CAVING!

One of my absolute favorite activities was caving in Waitomo. Such an adventure. Our Kiwi leader, Brendon, was sweet as. Outfitted in crazy stupid getups (see Fbook for more pics), we rock down this deserted path in a white van to the most amazing Lord of the Rings hills, complete with the greenest grasses, sheep for miles, and killer black jutting rocks. So picturesque. I couldn't shut up about it. Head to the cave where we absailed down one at a time, romped in the icy cold shin-deep waters, pet eels, sat in the night sky of brilliant glow worms, black water rafted over rapids, jumped off little cliff tops, drank hot mango juice, all far below the earth's surface. Five hours later, rock climb our way into the calm night air and trek it back to some hot tomato soup. Such a sweet time. Permanently jaw-dropped.

Yep.

Oh, Taupo! A top place as well. Sweet backpacker town overlooking Lake Taupo, the size of Singapore. Spent the first day in complete downpour, hiking to the natural hot springs, which felt absolutely glorious on our sodden, shivering bodies. Went out to Element Bar, mixed and mingled, expecting to get out on the bus to River Valley the next day. Not. Bella, Daina, and I were on the wait list and there wasn't a chance in hell we were fitting on that green bus. So what do we do? SKY DIVE! Duh.

Surreality to the max.

Absolutely the most fantastic feeling I have ever experienced. 12,000 feet up, you lose much of your depth perception. No training, or signing consent forms, or putting down emergency contacts (none of which I considered abnormal until after landing safely on the ground), but just up and go! I was strapped to Benjamin, who promised to give me a crazy ride, per my request. Up and up and up and up. So high up. Finally strapped in and at max height, the plane door slides swiftly open. I swear, I was not scared one bit, just stoked beyone belief until that door was wide open and the air came rushing in. HOLY! What was I doing?! Fear struck me like a hammer. Bella gets pushed out. We all screamed. Quicker than ever the two other people in front of me go, now I'm sitting on the edge. Deep breath. Push down the fear. Benjamin asks if I'm ready. Fear gone, let's do this! He hollers back, 'Sweet as!' as we tumble out into the clear blue. You can literally see from one side of the North Island to the other, with the fantastic lake, hills, towns, and the works between. Fantastic. You don't get that falling feeling in the pit of your stomach, and it lasts forever. Falling, falling, falling. But you don't feel like you're falling, until the parachute explodes and everything stops. You're just sitting, seeminly unmoving, suspended a mile above the earth. Amazing. Only now still do I realize that the air had made all the snot in my poor nose explode all over my goggles. Before I can wipe it, poor Benjamin pulls them off my face for a clearer view, snot covering his unprotected hands. God! So so so so sorry! Slightly mortified, but Benjamin seems as if he's had worse. We spin and frolick in the air forever, before softly plopping on the grass. Let's do that again, please.

Post-skydive lazy afternoon in Taupo.

After the spectacular adrenaline rush, you are nothing but high. Just walking around, super tired, but so pleased with life. Lazy afternoon followed, with dockside conversations and wandering the town.

Coolest mushrooms ever in NZ.

Really, coolest everything in NZ.

Taupo BBQ.

Designated trip cook, Tom, never let us down once. Oh so pleasant steak BBQ and Speight's brews were a perfect Sunday afternoon.

The muddiest, most strenuous hike yet.

Then another top time: River Valley. Every day was better than the day before, literally. It didn't seem possible. Oh, but it was. River Valley started out as a muddy, rainy mess. Hiked the amazing hills, played volleyball and rugby in the grassy patches until our feeling-less legs had to be warmed fireside in the crazy lodge filled with crazy Kiwis. What a top night! Ski lodge style, we were thoroughly entertained by the locals and wondered how in the world these crazy kids were going to take us white water rafting in the morning. Apparently they're professionals, because they absolutely did. It was fantastic. A level 4 adventure, freezing as rapids, dunked under once, the best rafting team, and a total blast! Wish I had some pics of it, but so vivid in my mind, at least.

Just one of many daily ridiculously amazing sceneries aboard the Interislander.

The only problem with the beyond-belief good looking surroundings is you become immune so quickly. Oh, another waterfall, another river, another cave. Cool. But it is, it is SO COOL. You have to keep reminding yourself that. After the draining River Valley activities, absolutely crash in Wellington. Up and at 'em the next day for part 2: South Island. Take the three hour Interislander ferry south, the whole while being thoroughly entertained by the still-drunk at 9 AM Volcom skate team. 

Stay at a sweet little hostel in Nelson, day filled with a hike to the centre of New Zealand, capped with free beer tasting, and a silly little karaoke night. Pretty fun fun fun!

Gleaming lake, sans the 2 meter long eels.

On to Westport, which I think was only a stop because there was nothing else along the west coast. Nothing going on, but a cool little hostel. Spend the day at the deserted beach, go for a jog, watch a seal tackle a fish dinner with an elderly Kiwi fisherman, eat some of Tom's chili and rice, early night in.

Straight up jungle hike.

On to Lake Mahinapuapaupapooohoo (never learned how to spell or pronounce that one). Nothing at Lake Mahipoo except the lake, which was infested with boy scouts, and the gnarliest hostel, owned by Lez, the older-than-dirt and even stricter, short little bearded man. The saving grace: poo party. Kiwi plans it for every bus, and our theme was rubbish bags.

Prime example: Toddy the man.

As seen above, our amazingly awesome driver, Toddy, showed us all up costume wise. I was a cavewoman, kind of, and we danced the night away. There were also Playboy bunnies, a bride and groom, a nun, a pirate, a nurse, and loads of just straight trash bags bopping around. A grim time.

Caves!

On to the coolest resort-style hostel, Rainforest Lodge in Franz Josef. Spend the afternoon hiking the best hike yet (I mean it this time) that led to a tunnel cave. Wander single file through the pitch black, icy water cave, searching high and low for glow worms. Think we found about three.

Glacier Hikin'

The main event was the following day: Glacier hike. Super interesting. Hike 5 km up to the top of the icy greatness, completely soaked by rain. Slick, but just keep those feet shoulder width apart, straight ahead, dig straight in and you should be a-okay. At least our funny super-rule-following Axeman hiking buddy was.

4 hours in ate the gnarliest, soggiest veggie pizza ever. Mmm nourishment.

The whole hike lasted 8 hours, complete exhaustion, and utter frozenness. So neat though. Group 1 conquered the mass of frozen water with great speed, and back to the lodge for Easter dinner: bangers (sausages) and mash. Head to the pub for a sweet night of warm fireside conversations and laughs.

Next day is Wanaka. A total ski town with a superbly beautiful, remarkably inhabited lake. Wander the quaint town, listen to a little karaoke, and have a well-rested night before the next day in the anxiously anticipated Queenstown. We vow to return to Wanaka for ski season, it would be a top trip.

View of Qtown from the hostel. Yes.

Queenstown, me loves. The 'Vegas' of NZ, if you can call it that. The party and recreation capitol of the south, but actually considerably small and all-too-cute. The best: Fergburger. The one and only. I had three in a matter of 36 hours. After each one, of which I said I wouldn't finish each time but ultimately did, I had to nap. They were THAT good. Did some shopping, went out to World Bar for awesome drink promos both nights, kayaked the crystal clear lake, and had a killer last couple days in NZ. Only thing I didn't squeeze in was the bungy jump. 134 meters, holy. But I don't have to complete my entire bucket list in a mere couple weeks, right? Can't wait to go back.

Last day :(

Bells, Dainer, and I board the bus with a new crew. Goodbyes said, and fantastic memories swarming our heads, we trek to Christchurch. For the longest. night. of. our. lives.

Ridiculously good looking view, again.

Dropped at the Christchurch airport at 4 PM. Plane leaves at 6 AM. Here goes! The airport is far removed from the central business district and Christchurch was still shut down from the quakes, so there really wasn't a point in getting a hostel for half a night. So we kick it hobo style; we're good at it. Slap happiness follows. Then the cafe feels bad for us and gives us literally 4 wraps and 7 sandwiches that were going to be trashed. We conquer all during the night.

30 more minutes....gahhh.

Apparently everyone does the overnight airport thing, but with preparation. So many backpackers with absolute camps set up indoors, complete with laundry lines, sleeping bags, food rations, the works. I was looking for a campfire to pop up. We were unprepared, sleeping in spurts on the cold, hard floor. I showered in the bathroom, best decision of my life, drying off with my flannel. Pass the time by journaling, hemping, day dreaming, night dreaming, hallucinating, whatever works. Finally it's morning. So long, NZ, you've been so so good to us. :)

I sleep the entire plane to Sydney, feeling inspired, excited, and adventurous. Ready to have a top month in the city, seeing all there is left. Then, on a whim, off to THAILAND with the English lads fron NZ in June!! So very excited. A few finals, then exploring the eastern Oz coast of Queensland before back to the States, just in time for 4th o' July.

Time is flying, and I intend to not waste a second. So many amazing things to see and explore. So many interesting people to learn from. I'm stupidly excited for my life, and you should be too. Off to Darling Harbour for my 21st! Whoooooop whoop! xoxox

Recent Activities

Time flies, especially when there are literally an unlimited number of activities to do! At the one month mark of being in Australia, I thought about all I had done in a mere four weeks. So very much. Then I started to think about all I want to do while I am here and realized time is a-slippin away before my eyes. Feels like there isn't a minute to spare. I have met so many fantastic people, from literally everywhere. I love being based in such a gateway city as Sydney because I really get a taste of so many different cultures all in one. The world is a fascinating place, no doubt, but the people inhabiting it are what it's all about. No matter where you are, may it be the best or worst place on the face of this planet, you need people. We are here to interact with one another and there is something to be learned or at least appreciated from absolutely everyone. Talk to people. Particularly those different from yourself.

The Sydney harbor is such an inspiring place. Absolutely beautiful. Colored houses stretching for miles around the points, softly bobbing anchored sailboats, a great realm of tourists among local businesspeople, an Aboriginal playing a didgeridoo, and of course the Opera House which is seemingly unreal upon first sight when you realize you're here - it does exist!

I have hit up the major tourist beaches in Sydney: Bondi, Manly, and Coogee. All good in their own way. And although they are the majors, far less crowded than any LA beach and significantly smaller. Parking is still a bit rough, of course. But between these major tourist draws are the sweetest little beaches you ever laid your eyes on. Super clear and blue water, very small shore lines between rocky points, and fantastically delicious little cafes. I have developed a liking for hiking up and around the rocks at the points. Discovered a few caves, heaps of sideways-crawling crabs, and microscopic communities inhabiting itty bitty tide pools. Splashing and slipping around barefoot, I get giddy like an adventurous Girl Scout, every time.

One overcast day, Savannah and I headed to Bondi for a surf competition that was a little under the weather. Cool set up, just not many people due to the rain earlier in the day. But the sun came out, like it always does, and we had a good few hours exploring. Ran into a couple American guys I had met at Manly a few days before and joined them for the view from their buddy's rooftop-beachside-awesome balcony. So pleasant. 

A bout of all-too-nice weather couldn't be wasted by not enjoying the seaside. For about a week I was at one beach or another nearly daily. A highlight was a Saturday at Manly. We went real childish - tackling one another between waves, team building a giant sandcastle with a killer moat that was never utilized due to the low tide, tossing a football goofily around in a circle, and of course ice cream. A top day.

Random activity: volunteering at the Jurassic Lounge at the Australian Museum. The Australian Museum is a cool little place right by Hyde Park in the center of the city. On Tuesday evenings, the museum puts on an event called Jurassic Lounge which has an assortment of artistic activities. The week I was there, queuing visitors through lines to buy tickets (they draw in upwards of a thousand visitors each week), there was a silent disco, band, comedian, lecture, naked woman painting, poetry reading, and open after-hours exhibits. Really neat.

This past weekend, hopped in a car on a whim to head to Canberra for a friend's 21st. 21st birthdays aren't just big in the US. Apparently they are a tradition many places, in which a family and friends gathering is put on as a sort of 'coming of age' festivity. This one was themed 'A Day at the Races,' put on by the parents, complete with the entire family and hometown friends, catered dinner, open bar, dance tunes, and speeches. Great time and great to see the countryside. Gorgeous fields that stretch for miles, abundant African style trees, and rolling green hills in the background. It was a rainy day as our two-car, eight-person crew cruised down South, which broke as we were nearing the capital and produced the most perfect rainbow I have ever seen. Brilliantly massive and stretched completely from end to end. Complemented the emerging blue skies so nicely. Canberra was very significantly smaller than Sydney, and is the capital mostly for the reason that Melbourne and Sydney couldn't decide between themselves. So they picked a point in the middle of nothing, between the two. Didn't see too much of the government buildings, but got a feel for the quaint town. Good to see the countryside.

Uni today, an interview for a potential internship tomorrow (fingers crossed!), most likely the Gold Coast for a four-day weekend starting Thursday, and a trip to New Zealand over Easter break in the works. So much to see and so many people to meet! Get out there and discover something unexpected today. Time's a tickin'.

Some Basic Observations

Sometimes I forget I'm in a foreign country because this place is SO Americanized. Many of the same businesses exist: Shell, 7-11, Domino's, Target, K-Mart, etc. There are no Wal-Marts, thank goodness. Main grocery store is probably Cole's, followed closely by Woolworths. But these don't go all out like Wally World; they focus mainly on food and basic household necessities. I do remember I am in a foreign country when I go to cross the road, looking innocently left, when WHOOOOOOSH here comes a semi from the right. Whoo, that was a close call. Hah, but I am still here and plan to be for another minute.

The toilets, unfortunately, do not swirl the opposite direction. Or any direction for that matter. They go straight down, every time. They are quite environmentally friendly, however. On almost every toilet are two buttons, one for a half-flush and one for a full-flush. You choose what is appropriate for that toilet usage...you get the idea. What's a little weird is that all the bathroom trash cans either say 'No Sharps' or 'Dispose of Sharps Here' on the lids. Meaning needles used for I don't want to know what. Apparently Heroin is fairly prevalent around here, so there are programs that provide free, clean needles to addicts to prevent the spread of HIV and such. Gross.

The big word around here is 'heaps.' Oy mate, I've got heaps of kebab left, want some? It's heaps nice out, let's go to the beach! Banks don't advertise 'Hassle-Free Banking,' but 'Heaps-Free.'

A 'mate' can apply to anyone, providing you like them of course. I've made heaps of mates. They can be old, young, male, female, international, cat, dog, whatever. If they suit your fancy, they're your mate.

A funny one: Budgy Smugglers! Take a wild guess at this one. A Budgy is a bird. A Budgy Smuggler, however, is a Speedo, on a man. For further explanation: http://budgysmuggler.com.au/

The money is bright, colorful, and waterproof. Waterproof...now there's an idea we should adopt, duh. The tricky part is the smallest denomination of paper money is $5. $1 and $2 are coins, so you have to watch yourself that you don't throw them around like change. It adds up!

Gelato is a huge hit. Instead of ice cream parlors all around, there are heaps of the most delicious assortment of whatever-flavor-you-can-imagine gelato shops. Tiramisu, raspberry sorbet, coffee mocha, Swedish chocolate, tangy lemon, and on and on and on. I've had one just about daily.

There is no Burger King; the equivalent is Hungry Jack's. And it is the only place in Australia where you can get a full meal and a drink for $5. McDonalds is dubbed 'Mackers' and is packed between the hours of 1 and 4 AM. A Dollar Menu is unfortunately obsolete. No Taco Bell.

The music is killer! Anywhere you go: club, bar, restaurant, mall, convenience store, bank lobby, bathroom, literally anywhere, there will be some house beats bumpin'. It's great. But then every once in a while the Aussies will throw out an old old school song, like 'Wonderwall' by Oasis and the room goes absolutely nutso. It's so bizarre. American music is huge here. As is American TV, film, news and politics. We really are a driving force, it's fascinating.

I just had some brekky (the cuter way to say breakfast) and have to jet over to uni (not college). So a little for now, more for later. Cheers!

La Playa Manly

Wednesdays have turned into a bit of a tourist day for myself, Daina from North Carolina, and Matt from Liverpool, since the three of us are off uni and always itching to get into the city. Last week the weather was a bit shit, so we checked out Opera House, the Botanical Gardens, and surrounds. This week we snuck in a beach day while the weather was still sweet as. Went to Manly, the one touristy Sydney beach we hadn't seen yet. Less crowded than Bondi and just as beautiful. On the ferry ride from Circular Quay over to Manly, met a couple American guys who are on holiday. Not only are they on holiday, they are having super luxurious holiday, staying with a buddy of theirs who happens to live right on Bondi Beach. Right on it. Like a hop, skip, and a jump. Got to talking, and they mention how this guy's place is a killer pent house with a rooftop balcony right above the Rip Curl shop. So sweet. They invite us to a BBQ they are having Saturday after the big surf competition at Bondi. Wanna come? YEAH. Sweeeeeet, super excited. Should be a lovely time. They go to a surf lesson and we hang with another American newbie on holiday who hikes around the point with us, through ultra massive spider webs, but so worth the view from the top. The houses around Manly are colorful, large, and so adorably Australian. The shops in the area go right up to the beach like Hermosa, and the vibe is very So Cal. Capped the day with a meal at BenBry Burgers to satisfy our starving selves. I devoured the 'BarrArmanda' - a fresh Barramundi sandwich (that's a fish) - and it was so unbelievably dank. Highly recommend you try a Barramundi anything if you can get your hands on it. Good mid-week break in the city, one more day at uni, then time for what will sure to be a fun filled three-day weekend. Mmm mmm mmm life is heaps sweet. Pictchas: