Perks on Earth

Since arriving back to Sydney two weeks ago from Western Australia, I have challenged myself with the task of ‘adulting’. After months of living nomadically without cares nor worries about timelines, bank accounts, housing and employment, the time has now come! Two weeks in and I have accomplished a bank account, numerous job applications, interviews, and the kindness of staying with the beautiful India and her family. In these two weeks, aside from my adulting experiences, I have fallen totally in love with this city. Sydney, a city of suburbs, built around harbour and sea, is unlike any place I have been before. The magic of this space has to be the water that flows everywhere here, no matter where you are and why, the water is never far from you. No secrets anymore about my love of the ocean, perhaps this has been the reason why my love for this city is already beginning to run deep within me.

I have never experienced pure awe at a city before, reserving my pinch-me moments and speechless encounters for the natural beauties I have been lucky enough to experience in my life. Man made monuments from the ancient civilations have caught me off caught, such as Angor Watt, but I rarely find those ‘WOW’ moments from more recent man-made events. However, sailing down Sydney Harbour as the sun sank behind the harbour bridge and opera house, the sky took on the effect of a full watercolour palette, and there it was. The pinch me moment, that oh wow, the same speechless awe. Sydney is a city like no other, and I have been keen to make the most out of every moment. So, aside from job hunting and aligning all my responsibilities, here is a taste of what I have gotten up to in my first Sydney stint.

From Bondi, Bronte, Coogee, Gordons and Redleaf – it’s all about Beaching!

Around the world, Sydney is renowned for it’s in-city coastline. In particular, for one beach, brought to fame by a camera crew and some handsome humans dressed in yellow and red. Yes you guessed it, it’s Bondi beach, the home and source of Bondi Beach rescue. It was natural that Bondi was my first experience of a Sydney beach, and while it is a spectacular sight and absolute Sydney travel must-do, it is absolutely jam-packed. Tourists and locals alike pack the sea, sand, and surrounding grass embankments, eager to soak up the entire Bondi experience. I fully embraced this, of course, but I will be more savvy in my timings when I return, to somehow miss at least a portion of the crowds.

Bronte was my first Sydney swim, so the beach and town seems have a little grip on me. Quieter than Bondi but just as beautiful, Bronte hosts a natural pool sheltered from the waves, and a sea swimming pool to get some lengths in if you so fancy. My mission for next week is to get Ella down the Bronte, to have her fall in love with it just as I did. I had the most beautiful day catching up with my beautiful cousin, Kathy, on Coogee, and though it is similar to Bondi in the crammed to the lid factor, I couldn’t have been happier – sea, sun, and family. The perfect combination? I think so. Between Bronte and Coogee, Gordons Bay offers smooth rock and sheltered swimming. Perfect for snorkellers, the bay has been one of my favorites of Sydney so far – but again, careful on the weekends, finding a spot on the rocks is a challenge, as is finding a park for a car! Further into the harbour, Redleaf beach sits just outside Double Bay, and on a still day, is another must-see spot. The cafe on the walk down to the beach does amazing coffee, and even better Acai, which hasn’t been very good for my unemployed Sydney budget. But worth it for sure! Next on my beaching lists are Watsons Bay and Manly, but hey! I have a whole year to explore so I find myself in no rush.

Centennial Park Moonlight Cinema

Because India is one of the best humans on this Earth, she kindly gifted Ella, Dara and I tickets to see the new Avatar movie in Centennial Park’s summer moonlight cinema. After Hanna and I’s excursion to a similar event in the Margaret River, I was excited to compare the two. Lets just say, Centennial Park did not dissapoint. Maybe the experience of watching a film outdoors is just so unusual for my Irishness that I am in awe every time! Anyways, we packed a picnic and headed to the cinema, arriving early to stake claim on a good spot of our beanbags. As the outdoor theater filled with fellow cinema goers, we tucked into our picnic, and prosecco, because why not? The clouds above thretened rains but we made it the first two hours before they really opened. But you know, Avatar the Way of the Water, so it was slightly fitting? The movie was amazing, and though it was over three hours long, I was captivated the entire time, and sobbing by the end.

We were playing limbo under our umbrellas for most of it, trying to duck as low as possible to not block everyone elses view, but desperately attemping to stay somewhat dry. Despite the rain, the show went on, and it was amazing! Watching movies outdoors is just superior in my opinion, and I’ll be dissapointed when winter comes to steal the outdoors away. If you’re in Sydney, go go go! They have a few different outdoor cinemas around the city, so head to whichever suits, but maybe check the weather beforehand!

Date Night Tuesday

Last Tuesday after work (Dara’s work, not mine, I am still unemployed, oops), Dara and I headed to the ICC for Australian Geographic’s My Country event. Before we entered, we had to avail of Fratelli Fresh’s happy hour, 8$ cocktails we couldn’t say no to! Tipsy on Aperol and sunshine, the event began at 5pm, and it was sensational. It reminded me of the Von Gogh experience, the vast room covered in enourmous screens portraying some of the most beautiful videography. The introduction explained the uniqueness and abundance of wildlife in Australia, where 70% of wildlife is found nowhere else in the world – wow! The exhibition featured footage from across Australia – beaches, forrests, reef, river, sky, and all the animals that came with that. I was capitvated by the entire show, but in particular the content about animals and the insect kingdom (ew cool so cool!). Dara on the otherhand was captivated more so by the shots of sweeping landscape and seascape, I’m guessing his droning influenced that side of things!

After the exhibition ended, I was once again in awe of the amazing life held in this vast country, and all the diversity within that. Caught up in the beauty of it all, we wandered the seafront from the ICC to the Rocks, taking in all the views of the city whilst dreaming about the views of wider Australia we had just witnessed. Hungry after our walk, we made it to El Camino Cantina, where coronas and 2$ tacos were in abundance. Though I may not be the hugest taco enthusiast, for 2$ I don’t doubt I will be back each and every week! If you’re reading this, thanks Dar, the greatest Tuesday of Sydney so far.

Ngalu Warrawi Marri (We Stand Strong) at the Australian Museum

Before arriving to Australia, I knew the 26th of January marked a day of contention across the country. Celebrated by some as ‘Australia Day’, the day is also one of much grief and sadness for many. On the 26th of January 1788, the first fleet of colonising British ships arrived to Australian shores, marking the start of a turbulent and bloody period in Australian history. Colonisation has left a traumatic mark on those who resided in Australia long before 1788, and the events have passed the grief down through the generations on Indigenous and First Nations people since. Knowing the vague history myself, and being unwilling to partake in the celebrational aspect of the day, I was delighted to find that the Australian Museum was hosting an evening of education, empowerment and acknowedgment of the fight for Indigenous rights in Australia. The evening included showcases of Aboriginal music and art, demonstrations of woodcarving and yarning, and a number of talks and panels. The whole evening was extrordanarily educational for me, and really opened my eyes more the amazing vibrant culture of the Indigenous people from around Australia and the world. We attened the young leaders panel, where we listened to Vanessa Roberts, Clayton Simpson, and Sene Maluwapi. Discussing the important topics of repartriation, Indigenous representation in the fashion industry, and the abolishment of the home care system, the panel both inspired and motivated me to understand and advocate for the rights of the people who have inhabited Australia since the begining. An eye-opening evening, I found that it perfectly marked the events of January 26th 1788, acknowledging the trauma that is ever-present since that day.

The Sydney 7’s – KATHY BAKER IS MY IDOL

I have grown up in a house of rugby fanatics. One more passionate than the next, the familial trait seemed to have missed me. While I enjoy watching games at stadiums and getting in on the celebrations, I have never been brought to tears at a result – unlike some of my family members (cough Clara cough). Saying this, we all have our fan girl moments, and mine is unashamedly that my beautiful cousin Kathy sports the number 6 jersey for the Irish 7s team. So, when the world series came knocking on Sydneys door this weekend, I would finally be able to see her play in the flesh – and what a performance it was! I went to all three days of rugby (a good performance for a non-avid sports watcher), and after Kathy’s first match, I became the most enthralled spectator in the entire stadium! Up against Spain and Brazil on Friday, Ella and I watched as Kathy and her team took home two victories, securing them a spot in the semi finals the next day. Saturday at the Sydney 7’s is the big day for spectators. Everyone is encouraged to take the opportunity to dress their best and get their most outrageous outfits ready. Dara, India, Ella, Emil, and I, decided that the most appropriate way to support Kathy was to be Bakers ourselves, so that’s exactly what we did! Bakers berets and aprons on, we settled in for another day at the rugby, one that was a liiiittle more booze filled than the friday before. A tough loss against Australia but an out of this world win against Figi, we lined the pitch to give Kathy the biggest congrats hugs. Full super fans at the ready. When Sunday came round, Dara and I headed back to the stadium again to support the Irish squad. Though the girls didn’t get the outcome they hoped for, they took fourth place, and Kathy scored the most amazing try, Dara and I stood up and screaming on our seats. If I saw myself then, I don’t think I would have believed how intensely involved in the match I was – but hey! Kathy Baker is my idol! A sensational weekend of Rugby, but and even more special few days being so close to family, and having Kathy in Sydney felt like the most special little holiday. Maybe I’ll have to start following all the World Series now!

A small taste of my start of time in Sydney, and I cannot wait for all that is in store! If you’re thinking of me, send some employment fairies my way, there is so much to discover in this country and I have to reimburse my bank account to I can keep on doing just that! Australia is officially my doorstep!