Above: Promotional photo of the fireworks over Darling Harbour
With our minds set, we woke up that morning and started our morning routine. We got up, showered, etc.
Above: Kevin waiting in the common area for everybody to get ready
To get to Bondi Beach we had to take a bus, but before going to the bus station we wanted to check out a popular shopping area near Hyde Park. So we headed slightly north from Wake Up into the heart of inner city.
I didn't need to buy anything, and neither did Wilfrido or Kevin, so while some visited a mall we continued to explore a bit. Since we were right next to Hyde Park and we actually had the energy to check it out a little more, we headed back there.
Above: Kevin and I walking back towards Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park with St. Mary's Cathedral in the background
Above: Information about Archibald Fountain
While at the park, we noticed the Sydney tower, the tallest building in Sydney. We knew that we'd want to go up to the top of it before we left.
Above: The Sydney Tower seen from Hyde Park
We also decided to go into St. Mary's Cathedral, since it was the most impressive looking building along the edges of the park. Inside they were actually having mass.
Above: A photo I tried to sneak while in the cathedral
The inside was awesome, and is certainly the most impressive church I've ever been in. We weren't staying for mass though, and were only inside for a few minutes or so to look at it. Once we left, we called the others who were ready to head to Bondi Beach. So we met back near the shopping district and headed to the bus station. With all of the stops the ride took about 45 minutes.
Located only 7 kilometers (4 miles) east of the inner city, the beach was still busy with plenty of Australians relaxing and surfing as well. There is an underwater net to keep sharks out of the area, although it wasn't visible like it was while I was in Cairns. Additional fun facts are that in 2007, the Guinness World Record for photo with the most women in bikinis was taken here, with over 1,000 girls in it. Also, during the right season, it isn't uncommon to see dolphins or whales off the coast.
Anyway, when we got there we got off the bus and went right onto the beach.
Above: View of the beach from the bus stop
Located only 7 kilometers (4 miles) east of the inner city, the beach was still busy with plenty of Australians relaxing and surfing as well. There is an underwater net to keep sharks out of the area, although it wasn't visible like it was while I was in Cairns. Additional fun facts are that in 2007, the Guinness World Record for photo with the most women in bikinis was taken here, with over 1,000 girls in it. Also, during the right season, it isn't uncommon to see dolphins or whales off the coast.
Anyway, when we got there we got off the bus and went right onto the beach.
We sat down and relaxed for a little bit, but eventually Wilfrido and I went to explore while others went to check out the shops nearby. Wilfrido and I noticed a trail on the south side of the beach that leads up to the highest point of the nearby cliff. We headed there, reached the start of the trail and followed it off of the beach, along the cliffside.
While walking along the trail we passed this swim pool set right into the ocean, home to the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club. It looks like an awesome place to train in.
We continued following the trail, which was actually a bit longer than we expected, and continued taking some pictures along the way. We were able to see the full length of the beach from the trail, as well as cool rock formations set into the side of the cliff.
Above: Bondi Beach as seen from the trail
Eventually we reached the top of the cliff. The trail actually continued down the other side, but we decided to stop and relax there for 30 minutes or so before heading back to regroup with the others.
After a while we went back to the beach, met with the others and grabbed some food at a sandwich shop overlooking the coast. We continued to sit on the beach, explore the stores, and tried going in the water (was far too cold for us) until it was 4 or 5 o'clock. At that point we caught a bus back towards inner city, got off at Hyde Park and walked back to our hostel to shower.
Later that day we walked back to Darling Harbour to watch the 7:30 pm fireworks show. This was the first time I had been to the harbour at night, and they had tons of lights set up to make the entire area look really nice.
Once we reached the harbour itself, we made our way through the crowd and sat down on the edge of one of the docks, our feet hanging over the water to watch the fireworks.
Above: Our view, sitting on the dock waiting for the fireworks to start
We got there just in time and the fireworks started in less than five minutes. Speakers were set up inside of the posts that ran along the edge of the entire harbour, and the fireworks show was synced up with the music. When the music started, playing the opening of Highway to Hell, the fireworks started. I grabbed some pictures, but they really do not do the fireworks justice at all.
Above: Terrible picture of the very opening of the fireworks show
You can watch a promotional video that gives a much better idea of how good the show was here:
While walking along the trail we passed this swim pool set right into the ocean, home to the Bondi Icebergs Swimming Club. It looks like an awesome place to train in.
We continued following the trail, which was actually a bit longer than we expected, and continued taking some pictures along the way. We were able to see the full length of the beach from the trail, as well as cool rock formations set into the side of the cliff.
Eventually we reached the top of the cliff. The trail actually continued down the other side, but we decided to stop and relax there for 30 minutes or so before heading back to regroup with the others.
After a while we went back to the beach, met with the others and grabbed some food at a sandwich shop overlooking the coast. We continued to sit on the beach, explore the stores, and tried going in the water (was far too cold for us) until it was 4 or 5 o'clock. At that point we caught a bus back towards inner city, got off at Hyde Park and walked back to our hostel to shower.
Later that day we walked back to Darling Harbour to watch the 7:30 pm fireworks show. This was the first time I had been to the harbour at night, and they had tons of lights set up to make the entire area look really nice.
Once we reached the harbour itself, we made our way through the crowd and sat down on the edge of one of the docks, our feet hanging over the water to watch the fireworks.
We got there just in time and the fireworks started in less than five minutes. Speakers were set up inside of the posts that ran along the edge of the entire harbour, and the fireworks show was synced up with the music. When the music started, playing the opening of Highway to Hell, the fireworks started. I grabbed some pictures, but they really do not do the fireworks justice at all.
You can watch a promotional video that gives a much better idea of how good the show was here:
Afterwards, we walked around the harbour some more to kill a bit of time until it got a bit later. While walking around I stopped and listen to this guy play the didgeridoo.
Afterwards, we went back to Wake Up. We were heading to Kings Cross that night - the 'party street' of Sydney, dominated by bars, clubs, pubs, etc. To prepare for Kings Cross, we used several free drink vouchers we received when we checked in, headed downstairs to the bar below the hostel and grabbed our free drinks.
By 11 o'clock we got a cab to take us the two miles east to Kings Cross. The area was packed, cars barely crawling through the streets as people were filling the sidewalks, going in and out of the bars and clubs.
Like always, it was another really fun night.
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