One of my favorite things to do back on campus is to sit outside. Whether it be doing work, reading, or just talking with friends and watching the sunset on the quad, I really enjoy being outside and admiring the nature around me. This is one thing that I really appreciate being in Sydney, as we are constantly surrounded by trees and life in nature even in the fast life of the city.
In between classes, I have taken to exploring different areas nearby. I went over to Hyde Park, which is a very large park with the Hyde Park Barracks and a small fountain area. It’s a great place to sit and people watch, especially around bust times when people are going on a walk during break or sitting on a bench. I had a lovely conversation with a man who had immigrated to Sydney in the 70s and had seen the transformation of this park from a horseback riding race location to the park it is now.
While our first couple of days were cloudy, the end of the week was sunny and hot. We ventured over to Bronte Beach and Bondi Beach. They were both very beautiful, blue, and clear. They weren’t that crowded and the waves felt very nice on a hot day. The views were amazing, with a nice blend of rocks, greenery, and the ocean. Bronte had this cliffside with rocks that you could climb on. There were also little crabs and fish swimming in the tide pools.
One of the days, we took the ferry from The Rocks district to Manly Beach. This beach felt smaller than that of the others we had visited, but the views were still as beautiful. The weather here has been so unpredictable in Sydney, from being super hot and sunny one day, to being twenty degrees cooler and cloudy the very next day. Back home, the fluctuations aren’t as bad as they are here.
I can’t wait to explore more beaches that are farther and parks that are closer. I appreciate being in the city where many good food options and fun things to do are within walking distance, but having the option to go to the city. I hope to explore more and to see more beautiful places in Sydney!
