Bondi to Coogee

Bondi Beach in Sydney is one of the world's most famous beaches and is particularly well known as a sweet surf spot. Since it was winter and too cold to spend the day getting our surf on, we went for a hike instead, walking the 6K trek from Bondi to Coogee. Coogee (pronounced koo-jee) is another beach that's less famous but also nice.

Clearly we're not as hardcore as that guy.

The paved trail that goes along the coast and across cliffs is popular with locals and tourists alike. The waves crash hard against the rocks but the trail is just high enough to keep you from getting wet at best or swept out into the ocean at worst.


If you stray off the path a little, you can find some cool rock outcroppings with no guardrails.


This eastern coastal Sydney area is a popular spot to surf for people who aren't worried about smashing their skulls against rocks. This definitely wasn't a crowd of beginners.


We walked passed Waverley Cemetery, which looks like a heck of a final resting place if you ask us. Apparently some famous Aussies are buried there.


When we were almost to Coogee we were lucky enough to spy a wedding. If it's taking place in public, anyone is invited, right?


We got back to downtown Sydney and had a wonderful meal at a Japanese steakhouse. It was a fun evening of sushi, squid, lots of meat, and catching things the chef threw at us with our bowls. A fantastic final night in the Southern Hemisphere.

Enchanting Sydney

For us, the city of Sydney was love at first sight. It has nearly all of the excitement of New York City plus amazing weather and beautiful sandy beaches. What's not to love? We immediately felt like we belonged.

Just look at these people waiting for the subway. They're getting around just like we normally do but live thousands of miles away from us. Crazy!


Our first day was gorgeous. A big blue sky and high sixties. And this is what they call winter! We sprang out of bed, anxious to make the most of our mere two days, and made a beeline for the city's most famous landmark, the Sydney Opera House. We walked around it, viewing from multiple angles, up close, and far away.

Recognize this?

So much texture when you get up close!

We also admired Sydney's well known steel arch bridge, the Harbour Bridge, and walked across it no less than three times (hey, we had to see the view during the day, at sunset, and at night!).

Hanging around by the Harbour.

View from the Harbour Bridge.

Since we have a thing for getting on boats, we hopped on a ferry for a fun and scenic ride across Sydney Harbour to Manly. The harbour was surprising quiet, with some other ferries and just a few recreational boats.

Beautiful blue Sydney Harbour.

Manly Beach is one of Sydney's northern beaches. It has golden sand and great surfing waves.

The water at Manly was so chilly we could only stand to dip our feet in.

We ended our fabulous day with amazingly rich chocolate cake and ice cream. We sat outside at Circular Quay (pronounced Kay) beneath heat lamps and the lights of the city.

Service after dark! Clearly we're not in New Zealand anymore.