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March 28, 2005
Beach Bums
(Day 40) Back in New Zealand, we had large expanses of undeveloped coastlines. With the sandfly problem, you would have to be crazy to lay out on the sand. Here in Australia, however, beaches are packed with day-trippers, looking to soak in some sun on a nice day. Factoring in the Easter holidays, I expected crowds of massive proportions.
After being burned one too many times, I've learned always to keep sunscreen in my daypack. None of the weak varieties. The strong kind. SPF 45 baby. Sunburn hurts too much to trust anything less. I coated myself with this stuff and once again following Memcha's precise directions, made my way to Bondi Beach.
Large waves at Bondi Beach make it a surfer's paradise. Beach bums and topless sunbathers were sprawled out all over. I would've set up camp next to one of them, but I wasn't too keen on getting sand all over my stuff. Instead, I settled on the grass, using my daypack as a headrest. For a couple hours, I napped, and read, and napped some more. One of my main goals for this trip is to open my eyes and experience as many cultures and sights as I can. But on a sunny day like this, you can't blame me for just enjoying myself. Besides, if I'm not mistaken, this is what Sydney culture is all about!
I could've stayed there all day, but I had heard of a coastal walk connecting Bondi to Coogee, another of Sydney's famous beaches. I walked along the rocky cliffs, pausing several times sit at the edge. Not out of fatigue, but rather to marvel at the ferocity of the waves pounding against the shore. All types of people were on the path, from fitness buffs to backpackers to retired persons. I guess everyone had a lot of pent up energy cause of the rain the past few days.
I never quite made it to Coogee. Due to daylight savings, I had miscalculated how much daylight I had left in the day. (For the second time in a week I had to turn my watch back an hour.) I only made it as far as Bronte Beach, before the sun started to set behind the buildings. I returned to Bondi, where a shadow had descended over half the beach. People were packing up their gear and starting to head home. I joined the exodus, feeling the day had been too short. I can totally understand how people literally spend days hanging out at Bondi. I sure wouldn't mind coming back tomorrow!
Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!
Posted by markyiin at March 28, 2005 05:38 AM
Comments
i have so many pictures of 'beach bums'... hehehe
jack: umm... i don't believe the 2:1 ratio. at bondi beach, it definately felt like there were more women then men though.
justin: yeah, dig up all your friends, and friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends!
shawn: aussie accents arent that hard to understand.. i've had more problem understanding british accents! (there are a lot of brits here) i'm sure by the end of my time here, i'll be able to do a good aussie impression!
Posted by: markyiin at March 28, 2005 05:57 AM
Yay for 'beach bums'!!!
Posted by: Dave at March 28, 2005 04:59 PM
So how many hits are you getting on your site? i've gotten a few friends interested in your travels :)
Posted by: Justin at March 28, 2005 05:28 PM
I knew you'd want to take as many pics of 'beach bums' as you could... especially after that comment I made the other day :)
Those waves look awesome! Too bad you didn't take a stab at the surfing... how's the temperature down there anyway? You think you'll try out surfing some time?
Posted by: Tree at March 28, 2005 09:01 PM
Whoa, those waves are awesome!
Posted by: Ankit at March 28, 2005 09:07 PM
Hmmm... wonder if you'll see Jaymee Ong while you're there: http://www.jaymee.org/
Posted by: Anna at March 29, 2005 01:15 AM
Awesomeness! (Been pretty busy with school and applications, so guess who just sat and read through days 26-40?)
Posted by: Jythael at March 29, 2005 10:08 AM
currently at bateman's bay. a fairly small town with not much in it. taking an overnight bus to melbourne tonight, so updates coming in about 24 hours!
Posted by: markyiin at March 29, 2005 06:44 PM
Ooooh warm weather.....Pittsburgh is getting warm too! I hope.
Hi Treeeeeeee!
Posted by: Ditch at March 29, 2005 06:45 PM
uh... hi, Ditch... do i know you?? your alias has me stumped :P
hmmm...Liz??!
Posted by: tree at March 29, 2005 08:16 PM
BTW, Mark... do you know that these "beach bums" you're taking pics of might get EXTREMELY upset if they knew what you were doing?!??! :-P tsk tsk!
Posted by: Tree at March 29, 2005 08:17 PM
nice blog! i like all your pictures. i definitely need to go back and read all the past entries...
Posted by: Alaina at March 29, 2005 11:24 PM
what was your technique in taking pics of beach bums? pretending to photograph the ocean and then at the last second dip your camera? youuuuu sneaky bastard!
Posted by: Bing at March 30, 2005 12:32 AM
Love the beach pictures; they're inspiring. they make me impatient for summer in Jersey!! =)
Posted by: Michelle at March 30, 2005 01:43 PM
I just love beaches. It's just so hypnotizing watching waves crash upon rocks or wash up onto the shore. Love it. Never been one to sunbathe though. I like shade. No wonder I have pale legs! -GEM
Posted by: GEM at April 11, 2005 10:39 AM