13 Minute Getaway

I cannot really say that things have been relaxing since returning from NYC. I arrived and immediately went back to teaching and back to the piles of work on my desk. I can’t complain but have not really had a moment for a little R and R. OK, maybe I can complain a little... Even weekends have been consumed with “catching up."  I feel like I could spend the rest of my life "catching up."

So last weekend when we found ourselves sitting in front of computers for the majority of a beautiful day, Kate and I decided that a short escape was necessary. One of the great things about living in a place like Sydney is that you can quickly transition from the urban context to an amazing natural landscape. And so with little time to spare, Kate and I headed to Bondi Beach, only a thirteen minute drive from our apartment, in the car we rarely use (the Beast), for a much need getaway!

Bondi Beach, one of Sydney's most well known beaches, stretches about 1km and is surrounded by a bustling neighborhood. On its far south side, at the location of the famous Bondi Icebergs (more on that at another time), begins the Bondi to Bronte Coastwalk, a spectacular walk along the sandstone cliffs (It is the same location of Sculpture by the Sea, which I spotlighted in this earlier post).

Within 13 minutes the stress levels already began to decrease. As the sun began to set Kate and I wandered through the meandering pathways. Walking up flights of stairs carved into the sandstone, down pathways framed by the greenery and up steep cliffs which left me way out of breath. At moments the bluish/greenish water would appear and disappear. 

We sat down at the furthest most point in Marks Park, at Mackenzies Point, an aboriginal heritage site, and watched the sky turn from day to shades of pink, which started out very light and became more and more saturated and layered with an orange glow. It was the perfect cure to cabin/computer fever.

So if you are a Sydneysider or just visiting and you are looking for something quick, enjoyable and totally relaxing to do, just hop 13 minutes over to Bondi Beach, pre sunset, for a strenuous stroll as the sky turns from day to night (weather permitting).... 

Sharks in the Harbour!

Photo: AP, from The Telegraph

Need I say more? 

Well, seven sharks were tracked swimming through Sydney's Harbour this past Australia Day (January) and can likely show up at anytime as the harbour is an open waterway. Not only were these almost 10 foot long sharks meandering through the Harbour but they were tracked swimming in popular swimming and boating spots.

As someone who tends to stay away from water (don't ask), this news only exacerbates my relationship with large bodies of water. I have no desire to be shark bait! I thought passing along the message was the responsible thing to do. For more detailed info click here...

The Seventh Most Expensive City

Pictured: 1.75 liters of Smirnoff Vodka priced at $15.99 at a California grocery store. Just to put it into perspective, a 1 liter bottle of Smirnoff in Sydney would cost a minimum of $45.00

One would assume that New York or even London and Paris would be more expensive cities to live in then somewhere, like say, Sydney. But that has now officially been proven wrong as the released 2010 UBS Prices & Earnings Report revealed the world’s most expensive cities. Sydney was ranked the seventh most expensive city in the world behind Oslo, Zurich, Geneva, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Tokyo. Paris ranked 12 and New York 14.

Apparently there is a price to pay for living in one of the top ten world’s most livable cities!

An Ode to New York

Food sustains life, yet it is so much more than something we need to nourish our bodies. Food brings people together. Food at its essence is love, life, and the heart of society...

A very wise statement that comes from the “sermon” I recited when conducting the wedding ceremony for my close friends, Rachely and Phu. That’s right, I had to become ordained as a reverend to be an eligible marriage officiant! Anyhow, fast forward one year and this statement is a true reflection and summation of the past five weeks I have spent in New York: working, exploring, reuniting with friends….and indulging in many of my favorite food spots throughout the city. A vast and glutinous set of memories that I have brought back with me to Australia…

I returned to Sydney on Monday after a long and tiring journey. The studio I taught at Columbia (check out some pics here) culminated on Friday evening; by Saturday morning I was on my way to the airport to start my 26 hour commute and, after arriving at the airport in Sydney, I went straight to teaching my first class at UTS. It’s all a blur. I have had to adapt to the winter weather (which surely beats the NYC summer), a 14 hour time difference (which for some reason is really difficult this time around) and the fact that I am craving Pad Key Mao (thai noddles) at 6am…

So with that said, here are a series of snapshots (only a sampling, really), taken over the past five weeks. My New York trip seen through the lens of food. I am drooling...

A homemade feast in celebration of Rachely's Birthday

Dim Sum Go Go with Kate, Phu and Rachely, the best hangover cure

Pam Real Thai with Kate, Paul and Yoni = seriously the best Thai I have ever had

There she is, the famous "Pam"

Shake Shack with Kate, Jason and Laura (visiting from Houston) and then off  to the Met to see the amazing Alexander McQueen show

A burger should always be followed by some Korean BBQ chicken (Bon Chon) at Boka in the East Village. Need to keep a healthy balanced diet...

An Amazing and decadent evening at Elsewhere (highly recommended) with Kate, Jason, Laura, Josh and Marni. Thank you Allen for an unforgettable meal!

Brazilian tapas, caipirinhas and friends at Miss Favela for Liz's birthday

Dinner Club = order in from the Hummus Place

Momofuku with Kate, Phu and Rachely (Need I say more?)

Grimaldi's Pizza in Brooklyn Bridge Park with Eric and Mimi, followed by some amazing pastries and delicious iced coffees (heaven)

Homemade Pho and Bloody's, Courtesy of Phu and Rachely (my mouth is watering) with Kate, Claudia, Lizzie, Marc and Dom

Escaping the heat with cookies, cheesecake and prosecco in the air conditioned MoMA Cafe with Liz

Another hamburger (had to get them while I could) at 5 Napkin Burger with Patrick

A relaxing break/night at home with Pantea catching up over meats and cheeses

Afghan Kebab, Featuring the Combo Kabuli Palow (a must try) with Tony, Lesley, Vera, Lars, Kamal and Jenny

One last visit to Shake Shack... Need I say more?