A New Chapter Begins

Beginning a new chapter of our journey on our own was both exciting and sad at the same time. While missing all of the people that we have travelled with for the last 7 months, we were glad to be in control of all of our decisions and movements to really make the time what we wanted it to be.

Our first decision however didn't quite turn out the way we had planned as we checked into the Elephant Backpackers Hostel in Sydney. Laura from our group had checked into the same hostel, and rather quickly all 3 of us had noted all sorts of strange behaviour (mostly alcohol or drug induced) that would disturb us during our stay there. None of us really got any decent sleep in the hostel that night.

Fortunately for us we stayed there only the one night as our friend Amber invited us to come and stay at her house in Bondi for a few nights. I met Amber 3 years ago while climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland and we have stayed in contact ever since. The last time we had seen her before now was at our wedding a year ago this month.

Vicky, Laura, Amber and myself enjoying a drink

During our first day in Sydney we took a walk around the Central Business District and took in some of the sights, as well as getting up close and personal with Sydney Opera House. While making our way to Amber's house the next day we stopped off at Bondi Beach to check out some of the surfers showing off their impressive skills.

That evening Amber took us down to Rose Bay which is on the opposite side of the headland from Bondi Beach, and we sat with a bottle of wine and watched an incredible sunset develop in front of our eyes. The sky went through every colour from a burning orange to a bright pink.

What an amazing sunset!

The following morning we saw some traditional British weather arrive in Sydney, just as we were beginning a nice long walk between Bondi and Coogee. As we walked along the cliffs admiring the exhibits in the "Sculptures by the Sea" exhibition we were being pelted by heavy rain, high wind and then hailstones. A couple of hours later we arrived in Coogee before catching a bus to the Central Business District to go and have a lunch date with some of the group who were still in Sydney. After lunch we went for a walk through the Botanical Gardens and found a cracking view across the water looking at the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

It was the bridge that would become the focus of our attention later that evening as we took on the famous Sydney Bridge Climb. Zipped into jumpsuits with all of our accessories clipped to us to avoid anything falling off the bridge, we took on the 1390 steps that go from the base of the bridge to the peak of the arch which sits at 134 metres above sea level. Despite the fact that the weather was still bad and that we had to endure another hail storm while on the bridge, the view from the top was amazing as we looked out across the cityscape lit up against the night sky. It was certainly worth the experience and something that we won't forget for a long time. 

Sydney harbour bridge by night

The next morning we were due to have a surf lesson, but the poor weather put pay to that and so we had to entertain ourselves within the city once more. Once the weather had cleared up Vicky, Laura and myself stocked up on provisions and headed off to have a picnic in the park near Darling Harbour. Despite being hassled by gulls and ibis for our food we had a nice little spread that we enjoyed before heading back to our respective accommodation.

Fortunately for us the sea was much calmer the next morning and we were able to reschedule our surfing lesson that we had cancelled the day before. Vicky, Laura and myself all went along as beginners and spent 4 hours during the day finding inventive ways to part company with a surf board in the rushing waters. It was great fun but also very tiring as we repeatedly battled against the waves to get out far enough to try and surf back into the beach. All of us managed to stand up a few times, but more often than not a slap in the face from a wave was the only prize waiting for us as we toppled off of our boards. 

Surf's up!

In the evening Amber and Natalie (who we met in London while she was living with Amber) took the 3 of us out for chips by the sea and a couple of drinks as for the 3 of us it would be our final night in Sydney. Laura would be flying home the next day to the UK, while Vicky and I would catch an overnight train to Melbourne where our adventures will continue....

Couldn't leave you without a picture of this iconic building...The Sydney Opera House