Wednesday, August 31, 2011

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).... 

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