To start off the week, after class a big group of us decided to go to Bondi for sunset. We got there just in time to catch some sun and to swim before it got dark. The sun set right over the hotels to the south of the beach and the views were breathtaking. Even if the weather is cloudy in the city, its worth it to go to the beach because the skies always clear up by the end of the day. The weather this week was super muggy and hot; apparently NSW is experiencing a heat wave. I really enjoy going to the beach to cool off from the weather and to swim in the water. The next day I went to Coogee Beach for the first time. I really liked it here because the waves weren’t as strong as they are on Bondi and the cliffs were decorated with beautiful colors and shapes. There was a small, natural pool along the cliffs that had fish and corals to explore. The weather allowed for a perfect beach day and I was really excited to get some sun after spending long hours in class.
Friday, we traveled to Bowral to do a short hike on Mount Gibraltar and took a walk through the town. Australia day was today but we decided to get out of the city to avoid all the large crowds. On the train ride there we saw lots of wild stock like sheep, horses, and cows grazing on the rolling hills. I enjoyed finally getting out of the city and traveling to see some nature. Australia has so many different landscapes to offer and I really enjoy hiking in my free time at home. The hike up the mountain was short but steep. We got to see some sites of old quarry mines, aboriginal lands, and some colorful parrots. There were three different lookouts at the top of the Mountain but we stayed by the Bowral lookout because it gave us a great view of the town and beyond. The town had a cherry tree walk to commemorate those lost in the Vietnam War (unfortunately they weren’t in bloom) and some pretty gardens. Everyone there was so kind and we got to chat with a lady who happened to be from Texas. Once we got back home, we made some Bolognese and headed to sleep after a long day of exploration.
To end the week off, we got some breakfast at a cafe on the corner of our apartment and then went to the beach. At the cafe, we ordered some lattes and drinks that were decorated beautifully with flowers and petals. The beach was super busy because it was a Sunday but I found a nice spot by the water and had a peaceful day reading and listening to music in the sun. Next weekend, we are headed to Melbourne and I can’t wait to explore a new part of the vast country.
