So from Malaysia, I flew to Sydney airport. It was something surreal to be finally here in Australia. I have been saying to for a while and now I was there. First stop was meeting two of my best friends how moved out their 7 months prior. Was good to catch up with them and I was moving into the same hostel as them, Noah’s Backpackers Bondi. Situated on Bondi Beach. What can I say really its a hostel, was strange at first living in a room with loads of strangers but you get to know the people if you or they stay around long enough. Top selling points of this place being the rooftop area, the location and the atmosphere of the place. Anyways let’s get talking pictures.

The first place I took my camera to was Watson’s Bay. Wasn’t originally going there to take photo’s more to check out a cliff diving spot. At this point, I was an absolute wimp of heights, looked over the edge at the 40/50-foot drop looking at a big old rock in the sea and there was no chance. So while two friends took a leap of faith into the water I shot a few snaps of the Sydney skyline in the distance and the nearby beach Camp Cove. Honestly one of the best beaches near that area for swimming.

Few days had passed, I was getting into the real backpacker life of beaching it all-day and partying all night and making friends. The next shot is of the front of the Hostel, kind of a photo spot for most people, always walking out to see someone taking a selfie next to the graffiti. So today I was going to do the famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, or Coogee to Bondi, whatever ever way to start it really. Obviously starting at Bondi, making our way from the south side of the beach past Iceberg seawater pool. This walk is honestly top of my must-do in the Bondi area, so much I did it like 3 times across my stay in Australia. The blue water, the sound of the ocean, cliché but its honestly just being at peace, seeing people drawing, writing, and sitting along the cliffs looking out to the ocean. At one stage of the walk, I kept hearing a strange noise, to look over the edge to find a fisherman on the rock edge casting out. As you can see in the photos I did one of the photos most travellers do, sit on a ledge and pose. The cliff is called Shark Point, now as stated before I hate heights, and I remember getting on the ledge and looking over to Mark taking a photo and then freezing, having to shuffle and lift yourself over a rock backwards is not for a person who hates heights, but I did it. One of my first in many victories with heights on this trip. One of my favourite shots of this was a sticker Mark found on a rail closer to the Coogee end of the walk, Sorry there were just so many beaches to remember what exact one. the sticker read ‘Live a great story’ mark asked me how I would frame the shot, so instead of showing him I snapped it to show him. Now I missed quite a bit about the walkout. The random diversion through a big cemetery due to cliff erosion, the many beaches walked past, and the end at Coogee where I first experienced Macdonald’s in Australia. Gravy fries are the nuts!

The next sets of photos in this gallery are of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. I was getting the ferry to Manly with some friends as a last-minute trip before I was going to a gig that evening. As you can see the first few are shot from the ferry, I forgot how windy ferries were. Once on Manly, I chilled at the beach for a bit. Explored the town briefly and then had to leave my friends to head back to get to the gig in time. For anyone who likes rock music Northlane are a must. I’m trying to keep these blogs mostly about the photos rather than the random other stuff I did. Comment below if you want to know more than just the photos.

Lastly in my final few days around Bondi, I headed back to Watson bay. On the map, we spotted a beach we hadn’t been to in the area so my hostel room decided to check it out. Big up room 106! Walking past Camp Cove, past the cliff jump spot (Yes I still didn’t do it) and along the path, I wondered ahead to check out the end of the path, just to see the view from the edge of the bay. Walking back I snapped the last shot of one of my roommates walking back to meet the others at the beach. Now, this is where it gets funny. So the beach was called Lady Bay, quickly I realised the group messed up. It was a nudist beach. I don’t think I put my camera away so fast in my life. Don’t want to be accused of taking pictures. This beach was pretty untouched and quiet. Some of the most memorable moments while being there was Scarlett leaving her to go pro door open and diving under, R.I.P Scar’s GoPro and also being approached by a middle naked man, telling the worst dad jokes ever while the rest of the group one by one swim away leaving just me and him talking. Awkward….

I generally didn’t have my camera with me a lot of the time while living in Bondi for the two weeks, more adjusting to the new life, making friends and partying like any other backpacker. Long story short, our plans changed quite quickly ended up booking/planning our amazing trip randomly one day and left a few days after. Shout out to Monni Travels! Monni is one of the loveliest travel agents you will meet, so much experience and knowledge of what to do and she beats all prices. So if you’re planning on trips check her out.

A few spots to check out:

Bar 34 - Live music downstairs and generally has a great Backpacker vibe
Hong Ha - Amazing Vitenemse rolls, great for hangovers. I miss the Chicken and lemongrass roll
Frankie’s Pizza - If you love rock music like I do what else is better than an old school rock bar/club that sells pizza in the first room. Get an apple delicious at the bar
Bondi Beach - Have a go at body surfing and getting wiped out

Next Stop Surf Camp.

- Charlie Bluck