Australia 2013: The Return Down Under: February 2013

The past two days we have been taking is easy and enjoying the city knowing that the weekend will be non-stop with Mardi Gras fun! Eric took the opportunity to hit a local gym, while Ken and Brad spent some time t-shirt and souviner shopping all over downtown Sydney.

We found out that practically right behind our hotel is a section of town called "Thai Town" that we have never explored before even though we have been craving Thai food. We ended up at a restaurant called Chat Thai and it was SOO good. This will be on this list of restaurants to visit again!

Eric, feeling full but wanting some dessert, wanted to try out the gelato place we heard about earlier in the week, N2 Extreme Gelato. They create some crazy flavors and freeze the gelato right in front of you with liquid nitrogen.

Our friend Brad was thinking he may want to do some shoe shopping to find a more comfortable pair of walking shoes. I don't know how comfortable these are but they sure are interesting (and yes, in adult sizes).

We have had some rainy periods here in Sydney so we all bought some umbrellas. However, they aren't made so well. There aren't any vents at the top to help with the wind (as anyone in Chicago knows), and apparently when it breaks you just let go and keep walking. We have seen so many umbrellas just tossed in the middle of the sidewalk. I guess it was too difficult just to put that in one of the many trash cans along the sidewalk.

Not wanting to end the night too early, we had a few cocktails to pass the time while the heavy rain passed. We noticed this little guy hanging around.

Well, ok, we all actually had comfortable walking shoes on so we started at 9am on the bus ride over to Coogee Beach. The walk is 3.72 miles and it's a great walk along the coastline ending at the famous Bondi Beach. Just look at Brad's excitement on the bus! He can't wait to start walking.....

In case you didn't detect the sarcasm, Brad is from the suburbs of Chicago where everyone drives to everything so we have been giving him quite the walking workout on just a "regular" day, let alone on a planned "hiking" day. He's been a good sport about it...so far.

Traditionally the walk seems to be done from Bondi Beach to Coogee, but we like the reverse much better so we end up at the popular Bondi Beach for lunch in the afternoon.

We chose today for the walk since it was going to be sunny and hot in the 90s with the Sydney high humidity. Sounds nice, right? Eric has been heeding the Australia warnings about sun damage and is following the "slop" part of the slogan "slip, slop, slap"....he's slopping on that 50 spf sunscreen.

Here we are at Coogee, fresh off the air conditioned bus at 10am, ready to start our walk.

Sunscreend up, bottled water in hand, and cameras at the ready, we set off toward Bondi. Brad decided while on the edge of a cliff that it would be a good time to try and skype with his friend Peter back in the US.

Of course maybe he would have thought twice about it if he had actually seen the sign.

Bye Brad! So Ken and I continued on with the walk, after notifying emergency personnel of Brad's peril.

Okay..just kidding but it was a little fun to pose for some "I'm fallen and I can't get up" shots.

Brad and Eric both brought the "big" camera out to get some dramatic shots of us standing on the cliff edge with the surf down below and take some creative action shots.

Eric on the "edge"

With sweat, and sunscreen, running into our eyes, we had to pay even closer attention to our surroundings. Without warning, Eric would have walked headfirst RIGHT into this little guy.

Spider bonnet, anyone?

It was low tide, during our walk. We ran across a ship dock, but it looks like these ships are dry docked until the tide rolls back in.

We reached one of our favorite areas of the walk. "Stay away from the edge" signs were everywhere...so of course, we ignored them (don't tell our parents). The rocks along the coast are a fun place to hang out, goof off, and snap some fun pictures. And although the pictures may not show it, they're very high up! Very picturesque!

After playing on the rocks for a bit, we continued on with the journey. The cemetery is about 2/3 of the way to the finish line. It's always a remarkable sight when you round the bend and come across thousands of gravestones. It seems a little out of place on a walk full of luxury houses and oceanfront views.

Before long, we reached a second rocky shoreline and stopped for more photos. A quick break to take in the scenery certainly helps us rest up after so many inclines and declines in the path.

Rockstar Ken

A little delirious from such a long walk, we were inspired to try our best Michael Jackson impressions out on the ledge. Unfortunately, we still need a LOT of work! Right, Cowboy Ken? Bang bang!

Fashion Police Alert: If you're going to wear a speedo with lettering on the back, please make sure the lettering isn't worn down to the point where it looks like it says "Poo". Thank you.

Not far to go now! We can see Bondi off in the distance as we round the bend.

Eric starts sweating when the temps get above 50, so he started sweating at the start of the walk...and it only got worse! Thank goodness the end is near.

Eric's Shirt

Feeling the breeze and seeing Bondi Beach on the distance, we pressed on and finally made it to Bondi and LUNCH!

Rehydrated, full from lunch and cooled down a bit, we hit Bondi beach and did some walking and picture taking.

Even after just finishing lunch, Eric always has room for a local Sydney treat...

Sydney is at the forefront of fashion, but in the end, like Michael Kors, they call it like it is. I'm sure this model is rethinking this move.

Truth in Advertising?

After a quick bus ride home on the 333, we relaxed, and showered off the beach. Brad and Eric wanted to get some sunset/night shots of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House from across at Luna Park.