Sydney, Bondi Beach

Spencer & Camilla's wedding was the impetus for our trip to Australia. And what a celebration!  Welcome Drinks at Bondi Iceburgs, the Main Event in Centennial Park, and a Debrief the following day at the Rugby Club in Rose Bay. At the close of the wedding ceremony, a colony of flying foxes in the branches of trees above unfurled their wings and flew off into the sky. Speeches at the wedding were all genuinely touching, with both bride and groom obviously well-loved by all their family and friends. 

This was a destination wedding, as most of the guests came from Canada, U.S., U.K. Meeting Camillas's side of the family was a pleasure, and it was wonderful to celebrate with Sheila, Lois, & Gord (Rob's siblings). Niece Meredith travelled from Calgary with her family. We also caught up with our niece Arden, who moved to Australia and is living happily in Canberra with her beau Jem. Arden wore her grandmother's dress to the wedding, it would have made Marian proud.

So brave and adventurous of Arden and Spencer to have uprooted themselves to create new lives on the other side of the world. I'm truly happy for them.

Spencer lives right on Bronte Beach, so he can walk the trail or make it down to the Tasman Sea to surf before and after work. The work/life balance seems better here. Maybe it is the pull of sea. People choosing to live in these beachy suburbs are also choosing the lifestyle.

There sure are some beautiful homes and condos on the Bondi Beach to Bronte Beach Coastal Walk, but we spent more time with our gazes turned toward the crashing waves than the real estate.  

Bronte Baths is an ocean pool, calmer than the sea and with fewer ocean critters. I heard the occasional shark makes its way on  stormy days, but generally the rock pools are a safer bet.  Clovelly Beach was a good spot for snorkelling; although we didn't see 'Bluey,' the famous groper fish rumoured to live there, we had a tasty lunch with Sheila and Spencer.

Favourite Places for Dinner or drinks in Bondi were the Promenade at Bondi Pavillion and Iceburgs Dining Room and Bar. No coincidence these were right on the beach with unbeatable views.

Day trips to Watsons Bay and Manley Beach. Ocean rock pools and coastal trails here as well. Spotted dolphins! Lots of birds - kookaburras included!

We chose accommodation in Bondi right on Campbell Parade, with a view of the beach and city buses at the doorstep. Restaurants, bottle shops, and grocery stores all a walk away. Getting up at sunrise we could enjoy our morning coffee and peer over the edge of the balcony to see all the early risers, surfing and jogging and working out. A flock of cockatoos noisily announcing their comings and goings. When we first landed we stayed at the historic Hotel Bondi for a couple of nights, and later moved our bags to Bondi 38 Apartments (5N). People watching at its best!