Why you should always question a Sydneysider who claims he’s sick

Sydney has around 100 beaches; what a city!

Guess what is Sydneysiders #1 reason for sick leave?

The most famous beach is Bondi Beach, named after Bondi, a charming seaside enclave. Bondi Beach is sometimes referred to as Sydneysiders (=residents of Sydney) #1 reason for sick leave. Hahaha….
I’m pretty sure that this is heavily exaggerated;-). After all, Sydney has sunny weather almost 300 days a year, so why take sick leave? Tomorrow’s another (sunny) day.

True enough, who would not prefer this kinda setting and seating over sitting in the office?

The beach is beautiful and enormous.

What is there to do at Bondi Beach?

No worries, mate. No need to get bored there.

First of all nearby Bondi has nice places for breakfast, drinks or just hanging with your friends.

Further there are lots of tourists and backpackers, so bring out your social skills and make new connections. Shy? Then stick to people-watching and have fun with that.

You can walk along the sea. There are beautiful coastal walks. More about one of them in another blogpost soon.
Or you can ly down in the sand, chill, have a cold drink and get yourself a nice tan. Beware of sunburn though!

People play beach-volleyball…

No, not only men, women play beach volley too.

Not me, mind you. No way that you will see me hopping around in some tiny bikini, chasing after a ball. A. I hate sports and B. I’m 58 years old and a bit overweight. I’ll pass, thank you very much;-).

Back to Bondi Beach:

Many people go for a swim,

others go surfing, take surf-lessons or do other water-sports.

There is a skatepark along the beach. Actually there’s two; one for beginners and one for more advanced skaters.

Lucky b*stards, those skaters. What a location and what views!
The ramp for the beginners looks large and fab.

But wait till you see the one for the advanced skaters.
OMG! That looks like a steep, deep, empty pool!

Is that guy really going in there?! Off what seems like a vertical wall?

Yes, he is!
Scary sh*t, man. I was in awe.

Bondi Beach even has something to offer to art buffs

Between the buildings and the beach is a road, parking spaces, grass patches and a promenade.

Frits overlooks the road, beach and sea from a balcony of a nice restaurant at Bondi.

The walls under that promenade have become a canvas for street artists.

There are a lot of cool pieces, most of them inspired by sun, sea, surf, beaches and Bondi.

The following one is quite moving and sad. It commemorates the Australians who passed away during the bombings in Bali, many years ago.

Great street art!
The following girl was working on a mural. A very pretty one, I must say. A black and white vintage-style sketch of a woman.

After watching Jaws, I was afraid in my own bathtub;-)

I’m not a beach person, by the way, did you know that of me? “NOW you’re telling me!”, I hear you shout out. “After all these pics and all these nice words about the beach, you reveal that you’re not into beaches…”.

OK, let me specify and explain. I love the look of a golden beach and a turquoise sea. Love, love, love! And I don’t mind being on or near one. But not for long.

1. I have fair skin and get sunburnt easily.
2. I will go in a pool, but I will not go in the sea if I can avoid it. Call it a phobia, but the thought that something might be knibbling at my toes or swimming around me takes out all the fun for me.

The only seas I have been in, were the warm, crystal clear ones, where I have maximum visibility. The grey soup that we call Noordzee in Holland? No way that you will find me in there. Brrrr…yayks…

One of the great things about Sydney is, that they have natural or man-made pools right next to the sea. NOW we’re talking!

In other words: I love to SEE the sea, but preferably from a comfy lounge chair at a hotel pool. In the shade of a parasol, a cold cocktail in my hand and a waiter nearby. I know, I’m quite the adventurer, hahaha….

What about you? Do you like swimming in the ocean and lying in the sand (finding it back three days later in your bed)? Or are you a whooz comfort girl like me?