Day 14

Spent the day at beautiful Bondi Beach, swimming in the surf and eating chocolate from San Charru with Marcel, Ilona, Abel, Axel and Huub. Super. We also had some impromptu champagne with Kathy, Mark and Ian at their groovy pad in Paddington before heading out to catch the NYE fireworks which apparently draws over a million Sydneysiders from various locations around the city.

And this year was even more special as it concides with a blue moon which well happens, once in a blue moon. And so it gave me a chance to take a moment, look up into the night sky and come up a new year's resolution- to celebrate life in the moment, what's wonderful and valuable at the time. No, not reading Eckhart Tolle just breathing in a little sea air, taking in an amazing view and sipping on a little Moet & Chandon.

Happy New Year!

Day 13

Kiddie cappucinos! I knew we were going to get along. Had a lovely breakfast at the Bather's Pavilion at Balmoral Beach on Sydney's North side with cousins Craig and Tracy and Lucas and Julia (the happy campers in this pic).

Bather's Pavilion has an amazing view and looks out towards the North Heads (entrance to Sydney harbour). The Pavilion itself was built in 1920s, has been fully restored and is now a contemporary restaurant owned by Serge Dansereau, an Aussie celebrity chef. The place reminds me a bit of the English Bay Bathhouse in Vancouver where the Annual Polar Bear Swim takes place every year to celebrate the new year.

Day 12

Yah! Arrived in Sydney and headed straight into town where we saw Sydney harbour, the Harbour bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Huub worked at the Sydney Opera House ten years ago as a bartender and has memories of the flying cockroaches there. To me, it's a Sydney icon and looks particularly amazing today. Appparently, it's made of over 1 million Swedish tiles.

Comparisons have been made with Canada Place in Vancouver (where New Years Eve celebrations are often held).

Day 11

Another day at the pool. Oh boy. Learned something new today. Caprioska is a cousin of Caipirinha (replace rum with vodka). Yummy. Also managed a three hr hike from Tallow Beach to the Lighthouse and into Byron Bay where we sampled a few of the local brews at St. Elmo's. This is me in front of the Christmas tree. Surprise! No snow, just tropical heat.

Day 10

At the Byron at the Byron resort settling in well by the pool! Kookaburras and crickets everywhere. Rainforest all around. Rainforest walk to Tallow Beach in Arakwal National Park (amazing!) so will risk posting yet another jaw-dropping beach shot.

Day 9

Boogie boarding today at Main Beach, Byron. Weather beautiful- water is 24 degrees. Not without its hazards though- a few stingers (jellyfish)! We also saw Australian white ibis (birds), brush turkeys, water dragons (lizards) and salamanders. No sharks. Did you know that the chances are greater of being hit by a falling coconut than from being a shark attack victim (apparently 1 in 8 mill). Trees and vegetation along the beach also quite interesting. We managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping (Unplugged was great which is where this image comes from) and grabbing a bite at Fresh and Olivo- yum!

Day 8

Merry Christmas from Wategos Beach, Byron Bay! Blue skies and palm trees looking up from the patio at the Watermark. Spent the day in the sun and surf, climbed to the most easterly point of Australia, Cape Byron, to enjoy the amazing views and ended up with shrimp on the barbie.

"Shrimp on the barbie" is an often-quoted phrase to make reference to Australian culture. I wonder what the Canadian equivalent is, eh?